Urbana University (2-17, 1-8) earned its first league win of the season with a 3-1 triumph over West Liberty in the second game of Wednesday’s home softball doubleheader.
The visiting Hilltoppers (8-26, 1-11) took the first contest at UU Softball Field by a final score of 4-0.
Timely hitting proved to be the factor in both games. UU’s lack of success at the plate cost them in the opener against the Hilltoppers, but senior Cortney Moore came up big in the second game for the Blue Knights.
With two outs in the bottom of the fourth and facing a 1-0 deficit, Moore lifted a deep drive over the center fielder’s head to plate two runs. In the next at-bat, sophomore Courtney Kennedy provided another huge knock with a liner down the right-field line to push Moore across and give UU the 3-1 advantage.
The pair of hits were two of only six for UU in the second contest.
UU starting pitcher Courtney Stewart picked up her second win of the year in the circle. Stewart was superb in the complete-game effort, allowing just one run to cross on eight hits.
The Blue and Grey struggled to get going offensively in the opening game. UU was limited to three hits against West Liberty’s Savannah Sieger, with two of those coming in the seventh inning. The Hilltoppers got on the board first with three runs in the fifth and added one more in the sixth.
Catcher Margo Jackson and second baseman/center fielder Savannah Sturgill led UU with two hits on the day. Moore, Stewart, Kennedy, Katelyn Edwards and Learic Kinser each recorded a hit in the second matchup.
UU continues its homestand with four games this weekend. The Blue Knights will host Fairmont State on Saturday (2 p.m.) and Shepherd on Sunday (1 p.m.).
