CHARLESTON, WV - After going 3-1 last weekend at the Capital City McDonald's Classic, the Ohio Dominican Panthers softball returned to action this weekend in Charleston, West Virginia, taking on the University of Charleston Golden Eagles softball and the West Liberty Hilltoppers softball, settling for a split on the day.

Game One vs. Charleston (L, 4-1)
The first game of the day began against the home Golden Eagles, with the Panthers falling 4-1 after Charleston added late insurance runs. Alyvia Lawrentz pitched six innings in the circle, allowing 11 hits and four runs while striking out seven in 28 at-bats. Five Panthers recorded a hit, with Lilly Irvine tallying the lone RBI.

The Golden Eagles struck first in the bottom of the third with two runs to take the early lead. ODU responded in the top of the fourth when Lilly Irvine singled to left field, allowing Lilah Flores — who reached on a walk — to score.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Golden Eagles added two more runs to secure the 4-1 win.

Game Two vs. West Liberty (W, 8-3)
In the second game of the day, the Panthers bounced back with an 8-3 win over the Hilltoppers.

Emma Grau earned the win in the circle, pitching seven innings and allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out four on 93 pitches. Erica Massey led the offense with three hits, going 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored. Lilly Irvine added a hit and two runs, as the Panthers totaled 10 hits in the game.

The Black and Gold came out firing in the first inning, scoring three runs. An unearned run brought Massey across the plate, followed by Flores scoring after a stolen base. The third run came on an RBI single by sophomore Avery Mueller.

In the top of the third, the Panthers added another run when Lilly Irvine scored on a Saadie Maysonet fielder's choice RBI, making the score 4-1 after West Liberty scored in the bottom of the second.

ODU tacked on another run in the fourth when Kendrick Sterling singled to score Addie Triplett. West Liberty responded with a run on a double, narrowing the score to 5-2. The Panthers answered again in the fifth when Leea Ibarra singled to center field for an RBI, scoring Emma Grau, who was pinch running for Maysonet after her single to right field to open the inning.

West Liberty added its final run in the sixth on a single to left field. In insurance fashion, the Panthers sealed the win with two more runs, highlighted by Erica Massey's RBI double to score Maysonet and an RBI from Lindsey Russell to finalize the 8-3 victory and secure the split on the day.

Next
The Panthers return to action tomorrow in West Virginia, facing the same two teams with game times set for 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.