By Josh Smith, Contributing Writer
After a six-game stint on the road, the WLU Lady Toppers will be back on the hilltop to host two double-headers this weekend at the Hilltoppers Softball Complex.
Beginning on Saturday, April 8, the Toppers (11-15, 5-9 MEC) will welcome two Mountain East Conference matchups against the Concord University Mountain Lions (18-20, 7-7 MEC) and the University of Virginia College at Wise Cavaliers (17-13, 8-6 MEC).
The Toppers are sporting a two-game win streak, as they swept Salem International University in a double header, winning both games 9-1. Before the recent win streak, the Toppers struggled, losing five straight games. The Toppers are hoping, however, their two most recent and impressive wins will help propel them toward a successful next couple of games.
The Toppers have struggled in recent seasons, but they have found some success against the Concord Mountain Lions. In the last six seasons, the Toppers have nearly split the 12 matchups against Concord, winning five of the games. Although the winning percentage is below .500, look for the Toppers to steal a game from the Mountain Lions, if not both, this weekend. With the current two-game win streak, many of the Toppers have stepped up midway through the season, but a few are standing out from the rest.
Sophomore Sydney Bennington has played extremely well for the Toppers in recent games. Appearing and starting in all 22 games this season, Bennington leads the team in nearly all batting categories. She has a batting average of .369, racking in 24 hits with four doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 12 RBIs. In only her second season, Bennington is already performing at a high level that may help the Toppers turn their program around.
Juniors Charley Troggio and Kelsi Johnson have paved the way behind Bennington, rounding off the players batting over .300 on the season. Both Troggio and Johnson are batting near the .330 mark, both tied for second-most on the team in doubles.
Pitching has also significantly benefited the Toppers, as Savanna Sieger has continued her dominance on the mound. Sieger is sporting a 6-2 record with a 2.26 era. Appearing in over 40 innings, she has only given up 13 runs. Look for Sieger to help the Toppers win multiple more games this season.
In their second double-header of the weekend, the Toppers will host a matchup against the Virginia Wise Cavaliers on Sunday. In the last six games against Virginia Wise, the Toppers have won only one game. Do not write the Toppers off just yet, however, as their solid play so far may net them a few wins this weekend.
Saturday’s double-header begins at 2 p.m., and Sunday’s double-header begins at noon.
Go Toppers!
Photo credit: Hilltoppersports.com
