WISE, Va. — Fairmont State (4-1) secured a 4-2 victory over Virginia-Wise (8-3) on Friday at Bill Gatton Field, but later fell to Ferrum College (1-4) in a high-scoring affair, 16-8, at the same venue.
**Game 1: Fairmont State vs. Virginia-Wise**
Virginia-Wise took an early lead in the second inning when Taylor Noe reached first on a throwing error and later scored on Savannah Johnson's double, making it 1-0.
Fairmont State got on the board in the fourth inning. A pinch runner,
Kensy Thomas, scored on
Breonna Marietta's double, and
Addison Nogay, another pinch runner, crossed home plate following
Carly Crowder's bunt single. Abbie Keilhoz then doubled to bring Crowder home, and
Bella Hess followed with another double, scoring Keilhoz.
This offensive burst gave the Falcons a 4-2 lead after the Cavaliers managed to add one more run in the bottom of the fourth. The remaining innings were quiet, with both teams unable to score further. The Falcons maintained their lead, securing a 4-2 victory over the Cavaliers.
Haller pitched a complete game for the Falcons, allowing six hits and one earned run over seven innings. Haller struck out four batters without issuing a walk. Marietta contributed a double and an RBI while drawing two walks. Keilhoz tallied two doubles, driving in one run and scoring once. Hess added a double and an RBI with a walk.
**Game 2: Fairmont State vs. Ferrum College**
In the first inning, the Panthers took an early lead with a three-run homer by Abby Bradberry and added two more runs on a single by Cheyenne Estep. The Falcons responded with a sacrifice fly by
Emma Paul, bringing the score to 5-1 in favor of Ferrum after one inning.
In the third inning, Fairmont State cut into Ferrum's lead.
Bella Hess singled to bring in
Addison Nogay, and later scored on a single by
Emma Paul. The score was 5-3 after three innings.
Ferrum extended its lead in the fourth inning with six runs, including a three-run homer by Kelsey Marshall.
Breonna Marietta hit a solo homer for the Falcons, but the score stood at 11-4 after four innings.
Fairmont State rallied in the fifth inning.
Emma Paul reached on a throwing error, allowing two runs to score, and
Alexa Foresha hit a two-run homer, narrowing Ferrum's lead to 11-8. However, the Panthers added four runs in the sixth inning and one more in the seventh, sealing a 16-8 victory over the Falcons.
Bella Hess led the team with three hits, three runs, and two stolen bases.
Emma Paul collected three RBIs and a hit.
Alexa Foresha showcased power with a home run and two RBIs. Additionally,
Breonna Marietta added two hits, including a double and a home run, while driving in one run.
Fairmont State will host its first home games of the season on Wednesday, February 25 against Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Game one is set to start at 1:00 p.m.
