WAYNESBURG, Pa. (March 19) – The Waynesburg University softball team hosted Pitt Greensburg on Saturday for a very special doubleheader. While both teams left the field with a win after splitting the twin bill, all of those in attendance for the day participated in the Yellow Jackets' first Suicide Awareness day.
With both teams sporting blue and teal in support of suicide awareness and prevention, Waynesburg (11-4) took the opener 2-0, before the Bobcats (1-8) ended the Jackets' six-game winning streak by downing the host team 8-1.
Freshman
Sydney Wilson (Pentress, W.Va. / Clay Battelle) tossed another complete-game shutout in the opener to lead Waynesburg to the win. She allowed just two singles and struck out 10 while improving to 5-1 in the circle.
The two teams were scoreless through four innings, before sophomore
Ella Brookman (Washington, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston) singled home freshman MacKenzie Kearns (Elizabeth, Pa. / Elizabeth Forward) to make the score 1-0 in the fifth. Waynesburg doubled its advantage in the sixth when a Pitt Greensburg error allowed freshman
Kiana Bagnell (Inwood, W.Va. / Musselman) to bring about the final score.
The Jackets outhit UPG 6-2 in the win, with Bagnell collecting two of those knocks, one of which was the game's only double. She reached base a third time when she was hit by a pitch.
The late contest got off to a similar start as the opener with the scored tied 0-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth. The shutout was broken up when sophomore shortstop
Kayla Gratton (Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway) singled home junior second baseman
Lauren Lober (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston).
Unfortunately, the Bobcats found their offensive rhythm and racked up five runs in the top of the fifth. The visitors added three more in the top of the seventh to seal up the victory.
Both teams saw a noticeable uptick in offensive production, as the Jackets outhit Greensburg 11-10. However, five Jacket errors stifled the home team's chances for victory.
Bagnell, Brookman and junior
Brin Hunter (West Finley, Pa. / McGuffey) collected two hits each in the late contest, with Bagnell posting her second double of the day.
Brookman got the start in circle and suffered the loss after giving up two runs, both of which were earned, on four hits and two walks. She added a pair of strikeouts to her day's work.
Waynesburg is back in action on Wednesday, March 23, when it hosts Penn State Beaver for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
