FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State University softball team opened conference play against West Virginia Wesleyan College. The Falcons dropped game one in nine innings, 5-4 but bounced back to win game two in 10 innings, 3-2.

Game 1: West Virginia Wesleyan 5, Fairmont State 4 (9 Inn.)

Neither team was able to get a run across in the first inning but in the second, West Virginia Wesleyan broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single. The visitors added another run off a ground ball to lead 2-0. In the bottom half, Abbie Keilholz drove in the first run for Fairmont State with a single as Grace Sobeck scored.

In the top of the third, the Bobcats grew their lead back to two (3-1) as they drew a walk with the bases loaded. The visitors tacked on another run in the fourth as a run was able to score on a wild pitch. 

As the game moved to the bottom of the fifth, Breonna Marietta hit a line drive homer over the right center fence to make it a one-run game (5-4). Both teams were unable to score in the sixth inning. The Falcons were able to hold the Bobcats scoreless in the top of the seventh as the hosts looked to either tie the game or win it in the seventh.

Sobeck reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Keilholz grounded out to the right side to advance the runner. Bella Hess then stepped in the box and grounded the ball to the left side of the infield. Sobeck broke home and was able to slide under the tag and tie the game at four. FSU looked to win the game as it loaded the bases with just the lone out but were unable to bring home another run as the game headed to extras.

Both teams went down in order in the eighth innings as the game moved to the ninth. In the top half, the visitors were able to score on a single up the middle to take a 5-4 lead. Unfortunately, in the bottom of the ninth, the Falcons were unable to get a base runner onboard and fell by the one-run difference.

Game 2: Fairmont State 3, West Virginia Wesleyan 2 (10 Inn.)

The second game was a pitchers duel as neither team as able to score until the top of the fourth when West Virginia Wesleyan scored two runs on a single to centerfield. In the bottom half of the inning, Fairmont State cut the lead in half when Alexa Andrews grounded out to second as Delaney Haller was able to score.

As the score did not change over the next inning, the Falcons got the hit they needed in the sixth. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Andrews lifted a ball over the left center wall to even the score at two. The Bobcats threatened in the seventh with runners on second and third but Haller recorded a strikeout and a lineout to end the threat. Unfortunately, FSU was unable to get anything going offensively as the two teams battled in extras once more.

In the top of the eighth, the visitors were posed to scored with runners on second and third with one out. Once again, Haller struck out the next batter before a pop-up to second. Fairmont State had a similar opportunity in the ninth but were unable able to score as the 10th inning approached.

The Bobcats went down in order as the Falcons looked to walk it off and earn a split. With the internation tiebreaker in effect, Emma Paul started the inning on second base and after a wild pitch was standing on third. Sydney Emanuel drew a walk as Haller stepped to the plate. Haller hit a ground ball as Paul raced to the plate and slid under the tag to win the game, 3-2.

Haller tossed a complete game as she allowed just two runs (unearned) with nine strikeouts as she threw 157 pitches. 

Fairmont State (11-7, 1-1) will host Davis & Elkins College on Monday, March 17. Start time is set for 1:00 p.m.