SALEM, Va. -- The Fairmont State University softball faced West Liberty University with a berth to the MEC Championship Game on the line. The Falcons were unable to hold on and ultimately fell to the Hilltoppers in eight innings, 4-3.

After West Liberty went down in order to open the game, Fairmont State looked to strike first. With runners in scoring position, Elizabeth Waszkiewicz hit a double to left center to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. Alexa Foresha followed it with a single to left field to plate Waskiewicz to increase the lead to three.

With no runs scored in the second, the Hilltoppers were able to get on the board in the third with a two-RBI double to right center.

From that point forward, the score remained despite both teams having chances over the next three innings. In the top of the seventh with two outs, West Liberty was able to score the tying run with an infield single. In the bottom part of the seventh, Fairmont State was able to work two runners on but did not push the winning run across as the game ventured to extra innings.

In the eighth, the Hilltoppers had a runner on first with two outs but a triple to right center gave them a one-run advantage. Unfortunately, the Falcons were able produce a run in the bottom half as they fell by the score of 4-3.

Fairmont State (36-18-1) will have a rematch against the University of Charleston on Friday, May 2 for a trip to the championship game. Start time is set for 3:30 p.m.