SALEM, WV - Senior Vanessa Jimenez plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning of game one to give Salem International University a 3-2 win against West Liberty on Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 19) at Hope Field. The Hilltoppers scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning and held-off a seventh inning rally from the Tigers to capture a 2-1 victory in game two.

Jimenez finished game one 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs batted in, while freshman Rosey Romick finished the game 1-for-1 with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Freshman Sydney McPherson tallied the other hit for the Tigers.

Junior starter Kayla Lynch received some huge plays from her defense in the contest as the Hilltoppers would go on to strand nine runners on base. Lynch's counterpart Savannah Sieger matched the intensity level, tossing five scoreless frames. 

Seven innings wouldn't be enough to decide a winner in game one as both teams would treat the fans to free softball at Hope Field. Starting the top of the eighth inning with a runner on second base, West Liberty quickly moved the runner over to third with a sacrifice bunt. The Hilltoppers then scored the first run of the game on a throwing error by SIU. Another sacrifice bunt moved a runner into scoring position for the Hilltoppers with two outs and would score on an RBI single to center field to make it 2-0. Lynch got out of the jam by getting a grounder right back to her and recording the out at first base.

Looking to respond, the Tigers moved their runner over to third on an error by the shortstop that allowed Lynch to reach base. Romick would pinch-hit for sophomore Jordan Whitaker and deliver with an RBI single through the left side to cut the deficit to 2-1. Freshman Morgan Atkinson would move a pair of runners into scoring position with a groundout to the third baseman. With the potential game-winning run standing on second base and two outs, Jimenez legged-out an infield single that allowed Romick to score from third and sophomore Sam Perez to score from second as the Hilltoppers thought the runner had been tagged-out at first.

Lynch allowed two unearned runs on four hits over eight innings of work. She issued four walks and fanned three batters. Linda Hall was handed with the loss for the Hilltoppers after entering the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hall allowed three unearned runs on three hits and faced 11 batters.

In game two, the Tigers looked to quickly get onto the scoreboard against West Liberty starter Megan Bosley. Atkinson started the game with her fifth triple of the season after sending the ball to the fence in right center. SIU would be unable to score Atkinson from third as Bosley worked out of the jam by getting McPherson to hit a line-drive right at the third baseman to end the frame and strand runners on the corners.

SIU put two more runners on base in the bottom of the second inning as Romick delivered a one-out single past the third baseman and would be followed by Whitaker being hit by a pitch. Perez popped up to first base and Atkinson would strikeout to end the inning and strand both runners.

West Liberty would score a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead against the Tigers. A throwing error by the Tigers allowed the Hilltoppers to score the first run of the game. With a runner on third base and no outs, a sacrifice bunt allowed the runner to score and make it 2-0. 

Junior starter Katie Holestin navigated her way through the rest of the inning without any further damage, getting a groundout and strikeout to end the frame.

The Tigers rallied against Bosley and the Hilltoppers in the bottom of the seventh inning as Romick recorded her third hit of the game with an infield single to first base. A groundout allowed Romick to move up to second base and eventually score as Atkinson laced a single to third base, trimming the deficit to 2-1. SIU looked to Jimenez to potentially be the hero yet again with the tying run on base. Jimenez didn't wait long, driving the first pitch she saw towards second base, only to have the game end as the second baseman held onto the laser.

Romick finished the game 3-for-3 with one run scored, while Atkinson went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Holestin took the loss for SIU after working all seven innings. Holestin allowed two unearned runs on three hits while walking five batters and fanning five.