By Kendrick Jackson, Contributing Writer
The West Liberty softball team is gearing up for two doubleheaders against West Virginia Wesleyan University and Glenville State College this Friday and Saturday, respectively. Friday’s doubleheader against Wesleyan starts at 12 p.m., and Saturday’s doubleheader against Glenville also starts at 12 p.m.
On a four-game losing streak, our Lady Hilltoppers are looking to end that streak and pull out some big wins this weekend.
Perhaps their toughest test this weekend will be Wesleyan, as the Lady Bobcats tie with Charleston University for the number one spot in the Mountain East Conference. Wesleyan only holds five losses on their record this season, with two belonging to conference rival Norte Dame (Ohio).
On the contrary, the worst record within the MEC belongs to Glenville State. Currently on a three-game losing streak, the Lady Pioneers desperately look for wins, as they have only won three of their last 10 games.
West Liberty pitcher Savanna Sieger will look to improve on her performance from Sunday. Wesleyan saw the junior strike out nine and only allow one walk during the first of West Liberty’s doubleheader against UVa-Wise. A repeat of such a dominance showing will be quite the challenge as Sieger will face-off against one of the best batters in the conference.
Tori Pogue, a senior outfielder at Wesleyan, currently holds a batting average of .441 for the season. In the seven games the Lady Bobcats have played for the month of April, Pogue has seen her on-base percentage and slugging percentage spike up to .556 and .522, respectively.
The Lady Hilltoppers have a hard-hitter themselves in sophomore infielder Sydney Bennington. During West Liberty’s second game against UVa-Wise last Sunday, spectators saw Bennington collect three of the Lady Hilltoppers’ four singles. Bennington holds a .389 batting average for the season, also a team-best.
With sixteen games remaining, West Liberty will look to finish on a high note before the MEC Tournament, which starts on May 5. Last year, our Lady Hilltoppers did not qualify for the tournament, but with a few major wins, the team should be able to make it this season.
Photo credit: Hilltoppersports.com
