FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The Fairmont State University softball team faced West Virginia State University in the penultimate series of the regular season. Behind solid pitching and and some hot bats, the Falcons swept the Yellow Jackets, 8-3 and 9-1.

Game One: Fairmont State 8, West Virginia State 3

Fairmont State quickly went to work offensive in the first inning as Emily Riggs singled through the right side to bring home Bella Hess. A fielder's choice loaded the bases as Kamilla Slayton stepped to the plate and grounded out but drove in the second run of the game.

With two runners still in scoring position, Alexa Andrews lifted a ball to deep left center with Katy Darnell and Courtney Moyer crossing home. The Falcons led 4-0 going to the second.

Delaney Haller achieved a 1-2-3 inning in the second as FSU looked to add to its lead. Darnell delivered that with an infield single as Hess scored to make it a 5-0 game.

In the fourth, the Yellow Jackets were able to get on the board with two runs on two hits. The Falcons responded in the bottom half as Moyer singled through right side to bring home Sydney Emanuel. On the play, there was a miscue in the outfield that allowed Moyer to advance all the way to third. 

Still in the fourth, Darnell curled a ball down the left field line for a double as Moyer easily scored to give the home side a five-run advantage, 7-2. Fairmont State added to its total in fifth when Isabella Yelle singled to left field to bring home Grace Sobeck.

West Virginia State was able to tack on a run in the seventh but with a strikeout of the final out, the Falcons were victorious by the five-run difference.

Haller pitched the complete game, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with eight strikeouts. Hess and Darnell were the only Falcons with multiple hits in the game.

Game Two: Fairmont State 9, West Virginia State 1 (5 Inn.)

The Yellow Jackets were able to capture the early lead in the second with a single up the middle. It took until the bottom of the third for the hosts to register their first hit of the game off the bat of Elizabeth Waszkiewicz.

In the bottom of the fourth, timely hitting and plate discipline allowed the Falcons to get the offense going. A lead-off single by Hannah Workman and back-to-back walks setup a chance for Darnell. In her at-bat, she singled right past the pitcher to drive in two runs.

After a pitching change and a stolen base by Darnell, Slayton drove a ball to right field that cleared the bases as she stood on third with the Falcons ahead, 4-1. WVSU got a runner on in the second that made their way to third byt Alyssa McCormick forced a ground ball to end the threat.

Fairmont State looked to carry the momentum into the bottom of the fifth as Moyer singled to right center to bring home Hess. Darnell hit another RBI single to make it a 6-1 game. during the next at-bat, a wild pitch allowed Moyer to score and Darnell advance to third.

Andrews kept the inning going with an RBI single that landed in shallow center field. Peyton Wetherholt laid down a bunt and executed it to perfection as she reached safely. Waszkiewicz stepped in the box and lined one to left center that hit the turf to bring home Andrews and end the game, 9-1.

McCormick allowed just the one run (unearned) on five hits with three strikeouts. Darnell and Waszkiewicz were each 2-3 from the plate in the game.

Fairmont State wraps up the regular season on Sunday, April 28 against 11th-ranked, University of Charleston. Game one is set for 1:00 p.m.