Heather Hall and Sarah Baise make first team all-region
Cory Karcesky and Jana White earn second team honors
May 15, 2006

PRINCETON, W.Va.-Wesleyan’s Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) and Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) both made the All-Great Lakes Region first-team. Teammates Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) and Jana White (White Sulpher Springs, W.Va.) earned second team honors.

Hall led her team this year in RBIs with 58 and was second for total homeruns with ten. She ended the season as the only member of the Lady Bobcats to maintain a batting average in the .400s with a .411 average.

Teammate Baise was also recognized with a first team nod. She led Wesleyan in homeruns with 11 and was second in both batting average (.363) and RBIs (45). Baise had the top slugging percent for her team with .650.

Earning second team honors was pitcher Karcesky who ended the season with a 26-3 record. She pitched 185 innings and struck out 128 batters. White joined Karcesky on the second team with a .353 batting average, 34 RBIs, and five homeruns for the season.

Other WVIAC members making the first and second teams were Alderson-Broaddus’s Ashley Mooney (1st team) and Casie Waskey (2nd team).

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.-Yesterday, the University of Southern Indiana edged out Wesleyan 1-0. In the elimination game against SIU Edwardsville, the Cougars took the game 11-2.

Southern Indiana pulled out to the early lead in the bottom of the first when Kristin Eickholt hit a double allowing teammate Lacey Ligmanowski to score. Down 1-0, the Lady Bobcats could not get the edge back and lost out to the Screaming Eagles despite out hitting them 6-3.

Wesleyan next matched up against the tournament host SIU Edwardsville. The Cougars had two big innings in the top of the second and sixth in which they posted all but one of their game runs.

In the bottom of the first, the Lady Bobcats opened up the scoring. Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) knocked out a homerun to put her team up 1-0.

The Cougars, however, quickly countered in the second inning. Emily Lenart tied the game with a single. Then with bases loaded Holly Neuerburg hit a single to take the lead. SIU Edwardsville’s next batter Alicia DeShasier cleared the bases with a grand slam to up the score 6-1. The Cougars got in another run in the fourth inning and four more runs in the top of the sixth.

Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.) reached on a fielder’s choice that sent in Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md). SIU Edwardsville, however, made the third out and beat Wesleyan 11-2.

Pitcher Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) grabbed the 3-1 win.

Wesleyan advances to play Southern Indiana tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. The Screaming Eagles (38-16) beat Wayne State (Mich.) 7-0 earlier today.

For the complete Great Lakes Regional Tournament bracket, please click here.

To listen to tournament action via webcat, please click here and follow the links on the Cougars Athletic web site.

To download the free Real Player needed to tune into the games, click here.

VIENNA, W.Va.-It came down to the bottom of the seventh but the Lady ‘Cats pulled through to take the lead from West Liberty and earn the WVIAC tournament title for the twelfth in fifteen years. Wesleyan’s 2-1 win gives them an automatic bid into the NCAA post-season.

The Lady Bobcats got to the championship round after knocking down three teams. Their first victory was on Thursday against Salem International. On Friday, Wesleyan headed up against the University of Charleston and Alderson-Broaddus College.

Against the Golden Eagles, the Lady ‘Cats jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The next inning Wesleyan earned seven runs to put them up 9-0. Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) pounded a three run homer to score nearly half the runs in the bottom of the second. The game ended 12-4 Wesleyan and the Lady Bobcats advanced to play the Battlers.

A big fourth inning for Wesleyan allowed them to rise up against Alderson-Broaddus and take the win 9-4. The Battlers scored three runs in the top of the first to put the Lady ‘Cats down. It was not until the third inning that Wesleyan was able to get on the board. They still trailed 3-1 going into the bottom of the fourth, but the Lady Bobcats pulled through. Two errors by the Battlers gave the Lady Bobcats an opportunity which they took advantage of. By the inning’s end, Wesleyan was up 7-3. With the momentum on their side now, the Lady ‘Cats ended the game 9-4 and advanced to the championship round.

For the second time in the tournament, Wesleyan found themselves down in the first inning as West Liberty’s Tiffany Martin hit a homer to take the 1-0 lead. Going into the bottom of the seventh the Lady ‘Cats were still down by one. Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md.) got on off a fielder’s choice which scored Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.). Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) ended the game with a double into left center and scored Blandford for the championship title.

The victory gives Wesleyan a place in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Softball Tournament. The tournament will be played May 11-14 in a location to be announced.

Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) posted three wins and Kendall Pittock (Prince George, Va.) had one during the course of the WVIAC tournament.

All Tournament Team
WV Wesleyan – Miranda Durst , Ashley Blandford, Kareen Bilotta, Cory Karcesky
West Liberty State – Tiffany Martin, Rachel Mason, Tabi Merceruio
Alderson-Broaddus – Casie Waskey, Ashley Mooney, Danielle Zeigler
University of Charleston – Andrea Lewis, Maria Taylor
Fairmont State – Tara Black, Erica Glance
WV State - Jessica Osborne, Sammi Kinder
Glenville State – Meagan James
Tournament MVP - Tabi Merceruio (West Liberty State)

VIENNA, W.Va.-#1 seeded Wesleyan defeated #9 Salem International 5-1 in the Lady ‘Cats first game of the WVIAC tournament. Salem got to game ten after beating Bluefield State 4-2 earlier in the day.

In the first inning, the Lady Bobcats received a slight scare from the Tigers when Erin Smith drove in a run in the top of the first. Wesleyan, however, got their offense going in the bottom of the inning and scored three runs to take the lead. Freshman Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) started it off with a double to right field, bringing in a runner. The next two runs came from a single by Miranda Durst (Point Pleasant, W.Va.).

Wesleyan increased their advantage even further when they gained a run in the both bottom of the second and sixth. Overall, the Lady ‘Cats out hit the Tigers 11-4.

Pitcher Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk Md.) earned the win.

Today Wesleyan will play Charleston at 2:00 p.m. The last time the two teams met was April 11, and the Lady Bobcats took home the doubleheader wins 5-4 and 6-0.

VIENNA, W.Va.-Coach Steve Warner was awarded WVIAC Coach of the Year for the tenth time during his Wesleyan career. Warner, who surpassed the 500 win mark this season, led the Lady ‘Cats to their sixth consecutive regular season league title.

Three of his players received WVIAC first team honors, the most out of any other school. Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) adds the first team nod to her two Player of the Week awards from this year and her WVIAC All-Tournament team selection from last year. Baise is currently ranked third in the conference for homeruns (11) and she holds fourth place for runs batted in (45). Her slugging percent stands strong at .650.

Short stop Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) was selected to the All-WVIAC first team for the second year in a row. She has also been named Player of the Week twice in the past two seasons. Hall led the conference in hits with 84. She posted second in the league for both RBIs (53) and fielding assists (136). Hall’s batting average of .420 ranks her third. For the season she has hit it over the fence ten times, putting her right behind teammate Baise in the homerun standings.

Joining Hall and Baise on the All-WVIAC first team list is pitcher Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.). This is her third year being selected to the first team. Her pitching efforts for the season have been acknowledged with three WVIAC Pitcher of the Week awards. Karcesky has pitched 22 wins this year, the second most in the conference behind Alderson-Broaddus’s Casie Waskey. Karcesky is also ranked second with an ERA of 1.68. For the year, she has pitched 154 innings and posted 105 strikeouts.

The only Lady Bobcat to make the second team was centerfielder Jana White (White Sulpher Springs, W.Va.). White holds a .359 batting average for the season. She has hit in a total of 34 runs for Wesleyan. Five times this year White has knocked it out of the park.

Meghan Keith (Morgantown, W.Va.) earned an honorable mention nod for her play over the season. Keith, who made both the regional and WVIAC all-tournament teams last year, is ranked fourth in the league for stolen bases. She has a .353 batting average and scored 36 runs for the Lady ‘Cats.

Second seeded Alderson-Broaddus took home two of the top conference honors. Catcher Ashley Mooney earned WVIAC Player of the Year while teammate Waskey was named Pitcher of the Year for the second season in a row. The Freshman of the Year award went to West Liberty State’s Rachel Mason.

For more information on the WVIAC awards and for a complete list of the All-WVIAC teams, please click on the following link: 2006 WVIAC Awards and Honors.

INDIANAPOLIS-The Lady Bobcats are currently ranked ninth in the Great Lakes Region. The rankings were released by the NCAA Division II Softball Committee. Fellow West Virginian squad Alderson-Broaddus also made it on the rankings list, one spot below Wesleyan.

Wesleyan pitcher Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) earned WVIAC Pitcher of the Week for the third time this year. She received the honor after a 3-0 pitching week. In the 21 innings she pitched, Karcesky only let off 11 hits and posted a 0.67 ERA. She tallied nine strikeouts for the week.

Among her wins were crucial games against West Virginia State and West Liberty State that helped solifidy Wesleyan’s number one seed going into the WVIAC championship tournament.

Shepherd University’s Karen Burnette also received the pitching honor this week while Nikke Resta from Bluefield State won Player of the Week.

The championship tournament gets underway on Thursday, May 4. It will be held at Jackson Park in Vienna, W.Va. The Lady Bobcats are scheduled to play their first game at 2:00 p.m. Their opponent will be the winner of game six: #8 Bluefield State (30-25, 12-10) vs. #9 Salem International (11-38, 9-11).

For a look at the tournament bracket schedule, please click on the following link: WVIAC Tournament Bracket Schedule.

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.-In their last doubleheader before the WVIAC tournament, Wesleyan battled it out with West Liberty State College. The Lady ‘Cats slid by the Toppers 2-1 in the first game while West Liberty grabbed the second game 6-5.

The Lady Bobcats will enter the conference tournament with an overall record of 39-22 and a WVIAC record of 19-5.

Wesleyan knocked off four hits in the first two innings but could not convert these to runs. In the bottom of the fourth, the Lady ‘Cats got on the scoreboard. A single from Miranda Durst (Point Pleasant, W.Va.) advanced Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) home. Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.) batted in Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md.) for the 2-0 lead.

The Lady Bobcat defense kept the Toppers scoreless until the sixth inning. Dani Mohney hit a sacrifice fly to send Jessica Smith home.

All Wesleyan had to do in the seventh inning was prevent West Liberty from scoring. It was three up, three down and the Lady ‘Cats won the game 2-1.

Overall, Wesleyan had 11 hits to West Liberty’s four. Winning pitcher, Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) had three strike outs for the game.

The action in game two began in the second inning. West Liberty’s Jessie Swinderman hit a triple to right field to get two runners home.

Wesleyan looked ready to take back the runs and with bases loaded, no outs they were set up to do so. Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) was hit by a pitch to advance Durst home. The Toppers defense remained tight, catching a foul ball and then making a double play on a line drive for the three outs. The inning ended with Wesleyan down 2-1

West Liberty’s Mohney hit a homerun with Tiffany Martin on second to give them a 4-1 lead in top of the third. Wesleyan’s defense recovered quickly, snagging the needed two outs from the next two batters. Pitcher Colby Cooper (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) and second base Blandford grabbed the assists as first base Moxey posted both putouts.

In the bottom of the third, Wesleyan needed to make up some ground. Blandford got on with a walk and Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) advanced her to third with a centerfield hit. Durst brought Blandford home with a single down the left side. West Liberty’s defense did not let Wesleyan get any more runs and closed the inning with two Lady ‘Cats on base.

The scene of bases loaded came for the second time in the game but now the Lady Bobcats were the ones trying to hold their ground. With only one out, the Toppers were in position to score. Wesleyan’s defense, however, did not heed to the pressure. Blandford caught a line drive and tagged out the runner on first for the double play and ended the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fifth, Wesleyan still trailed 4-2. With two outs, two batters on, Foster stepped up and cleared the bases. Her homerun put Wesleyan up 5-4.

The top of the sixth brought even more action when centerfielder Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.) launched a throw to tag out Tabi Merceruio as she was sliding home with the tying run. With two outs, the Toppers came back with a single hit that punched in two RBIs. The momentum of the game shifted again; West Liberty took the lead by one.

Both teams remained scoreless in the seventh inning, and the game ended with Wesleyan down 6-5.

On Thursday, May 4, the WVIAC tournament will get underway. The games will be played at Jackson Park in Vienna.

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.-In the doubleheader against West Virginia State University, Wesleyan split 1-1. In the first game, the Lady ‘Cats grabbed their substantial lead in the bottom of the first and took the win 8-1. The Yellow Jackets, however, took the edge in the second game and won 6-5.

Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) got things going with a single that put in Meghan Keith (Morgantown, W.Va.). With another single, Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) got on and advanced Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md.) home.

Next up was Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.) who knocked it to centerfield and two more runners came in. A single by Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) put home Foster and then a homerun by Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.) totaled the first inning runs to 7-0.

It was not until the fifth inning that the Yellow Jackets were able to get on the board. Amanda Hively knocked it over the fence for West Virginia State’s lone run.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wesleyan took back the run with a homer by Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.).

Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) posted the pitching win.

West Virginia State did not let game one’s loss defeat them as they pushed by Wesleyan in game two.

A double by Jenni Fowlkes in the second inning sent home runner Candace Phillips for the 1-0 lead.

Then in the top of the third, the Yellow Jackets got in three more runs off back-to-back homers by Jessica Osborne and Alisha Shull.

In the fifth inning, Blandford singled to advance White home and get Wesleyan their first run.

The Lady Bobcats closed the 4-1 gap even further in the bottom of the sixth. Bilotta’s single pushed in Baise. A second single by White sent home Lyndsey Lemon (Little Hocking, Ohio) for another RBI.

The Yellow Jackets got back the two runs in the seventh inning, putting them up by three.

Wesleyan entered the bottom of the seventh down 6-3.

Blandford came home to decrease the Toppers’ lead to 6-4. With two outs, Bilotta singled up the middle to advance Baise home. But the Lady Bobcats could not get the tying run and fell 6-5.

Wesleyan shortstop Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) grabbed WVIAC Co-Player of the Week for her efforts against Fairmont and Alderson-Broaddus.

Against the Battlers, Hall pounded out two home runs to help give the Bobcats a win over A-B. This senior held a .357 batting average for the week along with tallying six RBIs.

The Battlers’ catcher Ashley Mooney was also given the honor for the week ending April 23.

PHILIPPI, W.Va.-The Lady ‘Cats split a conference doubleheader for the third time this season. In the first game, Wesleyan fell 4-2. Alderson-Broaddus got out to an early lead, scoring a run in the bottom of the first.

The Lady ‘Cats came back briefly to take the lead 2-1 in the second inning. A double from Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) allowed both Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.) and Miranda Durst (Point Pleasant, W.Va.) to advance home.

That same inning, however, Alderson-Broaddus grabbed two more runs off a homer to give them the 3-2 edge. In the bottom of the fifth, the Battlers scored again and sealed the game.

Game two Wesleyan started off a bit slowly but got their bats going for the 11-3 win.

Durst got in the first run with a homer in the third inning.

Wesleyan entered the top of the fourth up 1-0 and added four more runs to the board for a 5-1 lead. Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) came home off a double from Durst. Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.) was the next to double, sending home Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.). Durst and White both advanced home when Meghan Keith (Morgantown, W.Va.) stepped up to bat and smacked it to left field.

The Battlers made up little ground, scoring only one run in the bottom of the fourth.

Wesleyan kept on hitting as Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) knocked out a homerun to send Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md.) and herself home.

In the sixth inning, Hall homered again for three more RBIs. Next up was Baise who then hit it over the fence as well.

Alderson-Broaddus tried to make up the ten run gap but could only pump out two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The eight run rule was applied and the game ended 11-3.

Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) took home the win.

In game one, Wesleyan squeaked by Fairmont 3-0. In the top of the first, the Lady ‘Cats posted their first run. Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) knocked in teammate Meghan Keith (Morgantown, W.Va.) for the early lead.

Wesleyan picked up two more runs in the third inning. An error by the Falcons’ centerfield allowed Keith to advance home. Then off a double by Hall, Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) scored for the 3-0 advantage.

From there, the game stretched into the seventh inning with neither team pushing in any runners. Both Wesleyan and Fairmont had six hits for the game.

Winning pitcher Kendall Pittock (Prince George, Va.) recorded the shut-out.

The second game of the doubleheader gave the Lady ‘Cats their second conference loss of the season as Wesleyan fell 2-1.

All the scoreboard action happened in the first inning. Off a single by Bilotta, Keith made it home. But Fairmont quickly retaliated, earning two runs in the bottom of the first. From there neither team could advance any runners home despite the Lady Bobcats getting 7 hits and the Falcons getting 8.

Wesleyan travels to play Alderson-Broaddus today at 5:00 p.m.

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.-The Lady Bobcats defeated the Golden Eagles 5-4 and 6-0 in today's doubleheader match-up. Wesleyan remains undefeated in the WVIAC with a 12-0 record. They are currently the only team to have not dropped a conference game.

The first game against the Golden Eagles was a little to close for comfort, but the Lady ‘Cats held their one point lead for the win.

In the bottom of the first, Wesleyan gained a small edge with a single by Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) that allowed Meghan Keith (Morgantown, Md.) to score.

It was not until the third inning that Charleston tied the game with Maria Taylor’s RBI.

The Lady ‘Cats broke away in the bottom of the fifth with a four run inning. Jana White (White Sulphur Springs) began the hitting for Wesleyan with a single down the left field line. An error by Charleston allowed Keith to get on base. Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) stepped up to knock a double that advanced White and Keith home.

Moxey then scored off a double to center field by Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.). Foster ran in the fourth run of the inning off a double by Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md.).

Down 5-1, the Golden Eagles refused to go down quietly. Starting off quick with a double and then a single, Charleston had two runners on when Samantha Coates stepped up. She hammered out a homerun to put her team down by only one.

At the top of the seventh, Wesleyan just needed to keep Charleston scoreless. Andrea Lewis walked and then advanced to second by the next batter’s ground out. She then got on third with another ground out. With two outs and the tying runner on third, Wesleyan’s defense needed to keep their cool. Charleston’s Taylor knocked it to shortstop Hall. Hall’s rocket throw to first ended the game 5-4 Wesleyan.

Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) was credited with the pitching win and Kendall Pittock (Prince George, Va.) received the save.

In the second game, Wesleyan had a bit more of an ending cushion. The second and fourth innings produced three runs apiece for a 6-0 win.

White produced three RBIs for the game and Keith, Miranda Durst (Point Pleasant, W.Va.), and Shannae Proud (Cresaptown, Md.) had one each.

Pittock grabbed the pitching win.

Wesleyan travels to play Fairmont State and Shepherd University over the weekend.

For the second time this season, Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) and Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) nabbed WVIAC honors.

Baise earned Player of the Week for her part in Wesleyan’s 4-0 week. She had a .667 batting average for the four games, going six for nine. Over the week, Baise ran in five runs and produced seven RBIs.

On the pitching side, Karcesky earned the award for her 2-0 week. Her shutout victories upped her overall pitching record to 16-1. Karcesky totaled 11 strikeouts and only allowed three hits for the week.

Karcesky shares the WVIAC Pitcher of the Week honor with Andrea Lewis from the University of Charleston.

ATHENS, W.Va.-The Mountain Lions were dominated by the Lady ‘Cats in yesterday’s doubleheader. Wesleyan swept the games 7-0 and 12-0.

The first game started off gradually with Wesleyan scoring in the first and third innings.

In the top of the fourth, the Lady Bobcats sent three runners home for the 5-0 lead. Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) singled to centerfield to push two teammates home. Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) got the third RBI off a single to left field.

Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) got her third RBI of the game when she knocked a double to right field. Wesleyan ended the top of the seventh with a homerun by Miranda Durst (Point Pleasant, W.Va.) for the 7-0 win.

Pitching the win was Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.). She had seven strikeouts and only gave up three hits.

In game two, Wesleyan wasted little time gaining a substantial lead.

Meghan Keith (Morgantown, W.Va.) started the top of the first off with a double to right field. An error by Concord's third basemen from Shannon Moxey’s (Richmond, Va.) hit allowed Keith to open up the scoring. Hall’s groundout to short stop gave Moxey the green light home. Durst had the next hit, knocking in Baise. Wrapping up the inning with two more RBIs was Lyndsey Lemon (Little Hocking, Ohio) and her single to center field.

In the second inning, Hall stepped up with Keith and Bilotta on base. Hall knocked a homer to push Wesleyan’s lead to 8-0. Baise was next in line to bat, following Hall’s footsteps by hitting another one out of the park.

Moxey, Bilotta, and Baise captured an RBI apiece in the top of the third.

Starting pitcher Kendall Pittock (Prince George, Va.) notched five strikeouts and took the win. Glenville could only get one hit off Wesleyan for the game.

The Lady ‘Cats remain undefeated in the WVIAC. Tomorrow they match-up against the University of Charleston. The home doubleheader is set for 3:00 p.m.

BUCKHANNON, W.Va-Wesleyan shut out Glenville 16-0 and 12-0 on Thursday's WVIAC match-up. The Lady ‘Cats wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in game one. Meghan Keith (Morgantown, W.Va.) was the first one in, scoring off Glenville's catcher’s throw to second. Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) then hit a double through the right side to push Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) home. Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) stepped up to bat and knocked a mammoth of a homer for the 4-0 lead.

The Lady Bobcats were just getting warmed up in first inning as the bottom of the second saw seven more runs for Wesleyan. Racking in the RBIs were Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) and Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.) with two apiece and Keith, Lyndsey Lemon (Little Hocking, Ohio), and Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.) with one each.

Five more Lady ‘Cats crossed home plate in the third inning. Miranda Durst’s (Point Pleasant, W.Va.) single to left field allowed Moxey to score. With bases loaded, Lemon knocked out a grand slam to give Wesleyan the 16-0 lead.

Pitcher Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) took away the win. Glenville was unable to get a hit off her and only posted two hits for the game.

Game two held much of the same fate for the Pioneers. The Lady Bobcats put home seven runners in the first inning. With three runners on, Baise was hit by a pitch and earned an RBI. Foster stepped up and cleared the bases. It was Wesleyan’s second grand slam of the day. Two more runners came in, one off a double from White and one from Keith’s triple.

The bottom of the second saw more action when Foster singled to advance Bilotta home. Durst popped one over the fence to up the score 10-0.

Off a single from Hall, Keith scored in the third inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Durst hit her second homer of the day to finalize the game 12-0.

Glenville could not get their bats swinging as they only saw one hit in the second game. Kendal Pittock (Prince George, Va.) earned the pitching win.

Box Score vs. Salem International (Game 1)
Box Score vs. Salem International (Game 2)
Box Score vs. SIU Edwardsville
Box Score vs. Southern Indiana
Box Score vs. Gannon University

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va.-The first two games of the West Liberty Tournament went rather well for the Lady ‘Cats as they defeated Salem International 4-0 and 9-1. Wesleyan, however, could not get a win after that, falling to SIU Edwardsville 5-1, Southern Indiana 7-6, and Gannon University 1-0.

On Saturday, April 1, the Lady Bobcats started out strong against the Tigers. In the bottom of the second, Lyndsey Lemon (Little Hocking, Ohio) got the scoring rolling with a single to left field. Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) advanced home off Lemon’s hit. A triple from Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.) pushed in Lemon and Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.) for a 3-0 lead.

The Lady Bobcats’ defense remained solid and kept the Tigers scoreless. The final run from Wesleyan came in the sixth inning when Baise knocked it over the fence.

Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md) picked up the pitching win and improved her overall record to 13-1.

Playing Salem in the second match-up, Wesleyan’s bats were swinging. The Lady ‘Cats pushed in nine runs and totaled 13 hits for the game.

First baseman Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) led her team with four RBIs. Meghan Keith (Morgantown, W.Va.), Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.), Foster, and White all notched one RBI apiece.

Salem’s lone run came in the top of the second.

Earning the pitching win was Kendall Pittock (Prince George, Va.).

Wesleyan next played SIU Edwardsville in their last game of the day. SIU was up 2-0 after the close of the third inning. The Lady ‘Cats could only get one run in off a hit by Hall before SIU tallied three more runs to the board. The game gave Wesleyan their first loss of the tourney.

The tournament resumed Sunday morning as Wesleyan headed off against Southern Indiana. Starting strong, the Lady ‘Cats led in the first part of the game.

In the top of the second, Wesleyan piled home four runs. Lemon knocked in the first run, Keith singled for the second, and Moxey doubled to advance two more runners home.

The Lady ‘Cats were able to get another run in the third inning to lead the game 5-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Southern Indiana rallied back to a 5-5 tie. A homerun followed by two doubles allowed three runners to score. Then with a runner on third the Eagles knocked another one out of the park to post two more RBIs and tie the game.

The tie, however, did not last long as Moxey’s single to right field allowed White to come home in the top of the sixth. Wesleyan was back up 6-5.

It came down to the bottom of the seventh and Southern Indiana was not leaving without a fight. The Eagles were hitting and after three singles they advanced home the tying run. With a runner on third, Southern Indiana won the game 7-6 off a wild pitch.

Wesleyan received their third loss of the weekend when they matched up against Gannon University. The last time the two teams met Wesleyan won 5-2.

Hitting was slim for both squads. Gannon got off six hits to Wesleyan's four, but it was the Knights’ homerun in the top of the fourth that won the game 1-0.

Wesleyan will play a home doubleheader on Wednesday, April 5. They match-up against Glenville State with the first pitch set for 2:00 p.m.

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.-Coach Warner had no trouble earning his 500th career win as his team sailed past Ohio Valley 7-3 and 9-0.

Warner can add this career accomplishment to the list of honors he has obtained in his 13+ years of coaching. Under his belt as head coach for the Lady 'Cats are nine WVIAC Coach of the Year awards, eleven conference championships, and eight regional tournament appearances. Before the 2006 season began, Warner was ranked 22nd as the NCAA’s Winningest Coaches of All-Time and ranked 10th for Division II alone.

The Lady ‘Cats had little difficulty in beating the Fighting Scots to give Warner win number 500. In game one, Wesleyan’s defense left Ohio Valley scoreless until the top of the seventh. The Lady Bobcats’ offense got off to a quick start, snagging three runs in the first inning.

A double by Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) started off the runs as she knocked in Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.). Bilotta later got her chance to score when Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) hit a sacrifice fly. The third run came off a single through the right side by Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.). Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.) advanced home for the 3-0 lead.

The bottom of the second was much like the first. Wesleyan pushed up the score 6-0. With bases loaded, Baise stepped up to the plate. She hammered out a triple to earn three RBIs. Bilotta, Moxey, and Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.) were all hit home.

It was not until the fifth inning that Wesleyan chalked up their seventh run. Designated player Melissa Brown (Kalamazoo, Mich.) doubled up the middle to get on base. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Brown scored off White’s ground out to shortstop.

Ohio Valley finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh. The Fighting Scots pushed home three runs in the final inning. Wesleyan, however, took the win 7-3.

First basemen Moxey tallied twelve put-outs and her infielders shared the wealth in assists. Baise posted five, Bilotta had four, and Hall snagged three. Pitcher Kendall Pittock (Prince George, Va.) received the win.

Wesleyan took little time to play the second game against Ohio Valley, ending the match-up after the top of the fifth. The Lady Bobcats shut-out the Fighting Scots 9-0.

Once again in the bottom of the first, Wesleyan got in three runs. Hall, Baise, and Lyndsey Lemon (Little Hocking, Ohio) all batted in runners.

The Lady Bobcats continued the offensive action in the second and third innings. In the bottom of the second, Baise doubled to left field allowing Bilotta and Meghan Keith (Morgantown, W.Va.) to score.

Wesleyan’s lead was boosted to 9-0 in the bottom of the third. White knocked home the first run of the inning with a double through the right side.

A double by Keith put her on second and White advanced to third. The bases became loaded after Moxey walked. It was then that a wild pitch started a scoring frenzy.

White came home off the pitch while Keith and Moxey each took a base. An overthrow by OVU’s catcher gave Keith the green light to run home and Moxey to move to third. The Fighting Scots' frazzled chain reaction continued as their pitcher overthrew it past the catcher. Moxey scored on this second error and the bases were cleared.

After a one, two, three in the top of the fifth the game ended on account of the eight-run rule.

Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) grabbed the pitching win. She posted seven strike-outs and the shut-out. The Fighting Scots were only able to get off one hit for the game.

For the doubleheader, Baise lead her team with six RBIs.

Wesleyan is back in action on Saturday, April 1. They head to West Liberty for tournament play.

Freshman Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) was announced as the WVIAC Player of the Week for the week ending March 26. Moxey helped the Lady ‘Cats post four wins at the Salem Invitational.

She averaged a .458 hitting percent for the seven games played last week. Overall she scored seven runs and notched four RBIs.

Box Score vs. Bluefield State College Game 1 - 3/24
Box Score vs. Bluefield State College Game 2 - 3/24
Box Score vs. Northwood (Mich.) University - 3/25
Box Score vs. Gannon (Pa.) University - 3/25
Box Score vs. Mansfield (Pa.) University - 3/25
Box Score vs. Mercyhurst (Pa.) College - 3/26
Box Score vs. Ashland (Ohio) University - 3/26

SALEM, Va.-On their first day in Salem, the Lady ‘Cats went up against the Lady Blues in a doubleheader. Wesleyan breezed through game one 14-0. In game two, however, Bluefield State put up more of a fight. The Lady Bobcats were able to come away with the 14-13 win.

Hitting over the fence for Wesleyan was Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.), Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.), and Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md.) who each tallied a homerun against Bluefield.

On Saturday, Mar. 25, the Lady ‘Cats began the Salem Tournament. Their first opponent was Northwood University. Northwood beat Wesleyan 7-2.

The Lady Bobcats recovered quickly from their loss, turning around to edge Gannon University 5-2. Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.) and Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) led the game with two RBIs each. Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) posted one.

In the third and final game of the day, Wesleyan fell to Mansfield 7-6. Despite getting 13 hits off, Wesleyan could not produce more than six runs.

The tournament resumed Sunday morning with the Lady ‘Cats going up against the Lakers. Mercyhurst put up a solid fight, tying the game 2-2 in the third inning. But Wesleyan came back in the bottom of the fourth to score three more runs. The game ended with Wesleyan up 5-3.

Ashland University was Wesleyan’s last opponent, and the Lady ‘Cats saw their third loss of the weekend. Ashland led 3-0 going into the bottom of the fifth. Lindsey Lemon (Little Hocking, Ohio) knocked it over the fence to get Wesleyan on the board. Unfortunately, the Lady ‘Cats could not keep the momentum going as Lemon’s homer was the lone point of the game. A big sixth inning for Ashland gave them the 7-1 win.

Wesleyan next plays Ohio Valley University on Thursday, Mar. 30. The doubleheader is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wood Street Field.

Savannah, Georgia Box Scores
Box Score vs. Georgia Southwestern State – 3/10
Box Score vs. Brewton Parker – 3/10

SAVANNAH, Ga.-On the Lady ‘Cats way down to Florida, they stopped to play two games in Georgia. Wesleyan first matched up against Georgia Southwestern State, beating them 9-3. Colby Cooper (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) took the pitching win. In the next game, Wesleyan defeated Brewton-Parker 14-2. Pitcher Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) captured the win.


Orlando, Florida Box Scores
Box Score vs. Findlay (Ohio) – 3/11
Box Score vs. Wayne state (Neb.) – 3/11
Box Score vs. American International (Mass.) – 3/12
Box Score vs. Adelphi (N.Y.) – 3/12
Box Score vs. Saint Xavier (Ill.) – 3/13
Box Score vs. Nebraska/Omaha – 3/13
Box Score vs. New Haven (Conn.) – 3/14
Box Score vs. Indianapolis (Ind.) – 3/14
Box Score vs. Wayne State (Mich.) – 3/15
Box Score vs. Lock Haven (Pa.) – 3/15

ORLANDO, Fla.-On Saturday, March 11, the Lady Bobcats began tournament play in Orlando. Wesleyan started strong with wins over University of Findlay (3-2) and Wayne State Nebraska (11-1).

Against American International, Wesleyan narrowly slipped by. The Yellow Jackets held the lead with an early run in the first inning. But the Lady ‘Cats battled back. In the bottom of the fourth, Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) scored off an error by American International’s centerfielder. Tied 1-1, Wesleyan took the lead in the next inning. Off a single by Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.), Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) scored. The game ended 2-1 Wesleyan.

The Lady ‘Cats lost their first game of the break when pitted against the Panthers. Adelphi got two runners home in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead 4-3. Bilotta, Hall, and Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) each scored for Wesleyan during the contest.

On Monday, March 13, Wesleyan split their games again as they beat Saint Xavier 1-0 and lost to the University of Nebraska Omaha 3-1.

Tuesday granted the Lady Bobcats two wins. Miranda Durst (Point Pleasant, W.Va.) got in the first run against the University of New Haven in the top of the third. The Lady ‘Cats gained a 2-0 lead when Moxey knocked a single to center field and drove Lara Foster (Catlett, Va.) home. Four more runs for Wesleyan came in the seventh inning as Bilotta, Moxey, Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.), and Foster all scored to push the lead 6-0 over New Haven.

The University of Indianapolis was Wesleyan’s next opponent. The Greyhounds got in the first run but the Lady ‘Cats countered in the second inning with a run by Foster. Indianapolis took the lead 2-1 in the top of the fourth and once again Wesleyan retaliated in the next inning. Foster hit a double which knocked in both Baise and Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md.) for the 3-2 win.

Wesleyan was shut out in their final Orlando games as they were defeated by Wayne State Michigan 7-0 and Lock Haven University 5-0.


Spartanburg, South Carolina Box Scores
Box Score vs. Presbyterian (S.C.) – 3/17
Box Score vs. Newberry (S.C.) – 3/17
Box Score vs. Tusculum (Tenn.) – 3/17
Box Score vs. Columbus State (Ga.) – 3/18
Box Score vs. Saginaw Valley State Univ. (Mich.) – 3/18
Box Score vs. Lenoir-Rhyne College (N.C.) – 3/18

SPARTANBURG, S.C.-The Lady Bobcats played the remainder of their spring break trip in South Carolina. On Friday, March 17, Wesleyan beat Presbyterian College 5-0. Bilotta led her team with three runs scored. Teammate Baise also stood out, notching three RBIs for the game.

In the Newberry College match-up, Wesleyan came out ahead 2-1. Both runs were scored in the top of the fourth. Blandford and pinch runner Cooper made it home with RBIs by Bilotta and Moxey.

Tusculum College defeated Wesleyan 7-3 in the Lady ‘Cats final game of the day. On Saturday, the Lady Bobcats fell to the Cougars 5-0.

Thanks to a three-run streak in the second inning, Wesleyan was able to edge out Saginaw Valley State 3-2. Durst hit in Foster for the 1-0 lead. Shannon Proud (Cresaptown, Md.) got a single which advanced Blandford home. The third run came off a sacrifice fly by Bilotta to push Durst in to score.

Lenior-Rhyne College left Wesleyan with a 4-3 loss. The Bears led the game 4-0 until the top of the sixth when Wesleyan was finally able to get on the board. Hall was the first runner in for the Lady ‘Cats. Blandford and Baise scored next off a single by Durst. Lenoir-Rhyne, however, ended the inning and kept Wesleyan one point behind for the win.

In the 18 games played, Karcesky led Wesleyan in pitching wins with five. Cooper captured three, while Kendall Pittock (Prince George, Va.) had two and Melissa Brown (Kalamazoo, Mich.) had one.

The Lady Bobcats’ record is now 18-11. They travel to Salem, Virginia this weekend to play a doubleheader against Bluefield State on Friday, March 24. On Saturday and Sunday, Wesleyan remains in Salem to play five non-WVIAC teams.

Wesleyan captured both the WVIAC Player and Pitcher of the Week awards for games between February 27 and March 5.

Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) earned the Player of the Week honor for her role in the Lady ‘Cats 6-2 week. She knocked in 13 RBIs and scored nine runs. Among her hits were five homeruns. The senior averaged .500 for the eight games.

Teammate Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) received the nod for Pitcher of the Week. The senior took wins over Davis and Elkins, North Greenville, and UNC Pembroke. She had no losses for the week. Karcesky struck out nine batters and only gave up two runs. Her earned run average was 0.88 for the three games.

SPARTANBURG, S.C.-Wesleyan traveled to South Carolina to participate in the FATZ Café Classic over the weekend. The Lady ‘Cats had a strong showing and left with a 6-2 tournament record. USC Upstate was the only team that halted Wesleyan.

On Friday, March 3, the Lady Bobcats first headed up against the Spartans. USC Upstate got off to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and scored six more runs in the third. Wesleyan was unable to combat offensively, only notching two hits for the game. The Spartans won 8-0.

Wesleyan recovered quickly from this loss, beating both North Greenville and Presbyterian College later that day.

Against the Crusaders, the Lady ‘Cats jumped to a firm lead in the first inning. Ashley Blandford (LaPlata, Md.) got Wesleyan on the board 2-0 with a homerun that put in Kareen Bilotta (Fairmont, W.Va.) and herself.

With bases loaded, Shannae Proud (Cresaptown, Md.) walked, pushing in Heather Hall (Sunderland, Md.). A sacrifice fly by Jana White (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.) allowed Sarah Baise (South Point, Ohio) to come home. Wesleyan closed the inning up 4-0.

The game remained quite until the top of the fourth when Wesleyan tallied up more seven runs.

Meghan Keith (Fairmont, W.Va.) doubled with two runners on, sending them both home. Then an error by North Greenville gave Keith the opportunity to score.

With the bases loaded, Baise stepped up to bat and knocked away a grand slam.

Ahead 11-0, Melissa Brown (Kalamazoo, Mich.) scored off Hall’s single.

Cory Karcesky (Dunkirk, Md.) earned the pitching win. She held the Spartans to two hits and notched four strikeouts.

The last game of the day was against Presbyterian College. Wesleyan left the field with the 8-4 win.

The first inning Wesleyan got in three runs. After a single by White, Bilotta homered for the 2-0 lead. With two outs, Baise knocked it over the center field fence.

The Blue Hose, however, retaliated back with two runs in the bottom of the first to close the gap 3-2.

Baise got her second homerun of the game in the third inning and cleared Hall from first.

In the fourth inning, White and Shannon Moxey (Richmond, Va.) scored off Blandford’s single.

Presbyterian posted their next run in the bottom of the fourth.

Both teams each scored a run in the sixth inning, and the game ended 8-4 Wesleyan. Pitcher Colby Cooper (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) received the win and struck out four batters.

On Saturday, tournament play continued. The Lady Bobcats faced the Spartans again and the result was déjà vu from the previous contest. USC Upstate took the game 8-0.

UNC Pembroke was Wesleyan’s next opponent. The game remained tight as neither team could get on the board. Cooper held the Braves to only two hits for the entire game.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Bobcats rallied for the win. Hall hit two homeruns for the inning, clearing in a total of five runs. Also earning RBIs were Cooper, Moxey, White, and Bilotta with one apiece. The nine run streak was enough to end the game early on account of the eight-run rule.

The final game of the FATZ Café Classic for the Lady Bobcats was a rematch with the Blue Hose. Unlike the first contest, this one stayed close.

Strong defense by both teams kept the score 0-0. In the fourth inning, Wesleyan finally opened up the scoring. Baise’s single to left field gave Bilotta the opportunity to get home and give the Lady ‘Cats a marginal lead.

The Baise-Bilotta duo racked in another run in the top of the sixth for a 2-0 advantage.

Tension began to build in the bottom of the seventh when Presbyterian’s first two batters hit doubles, pushing one run in and leaving one runner on second. An error by Wesleyan and a fielder’s choice allowed the bases to become loaded with no outs.

The Blue Hose needed one run to tie the game and another for the win. Shortstop Hall caught two line-outs to halt any action home. A flyball to White in centerfield gave Wesleyan the much needed third out.

Karcesky was credited with the pitching win.

For the weekend, Karcesky and Cooper both pitched 2-0.

Hitting hard for Wesleyan was Baise and Hall. Baise averaged .500 for the tournament and tallied up 13 RBIs, nine runs, and five homers. Hall pushed in nine RBIs and totaled nine runs. She knocked it out of the park three times. Junior Bilotta was also high in stats with a .542 hitting percent, four RBIs, and seven runs.

Wesleyan takes off on Thursday for their spring break trip. They play a round of games in Savannah, Georgia before heading to a tournament in Orlando, Florida. On their way back to Buckhannon, the Lady ‘Cats will stop in South Carolina for another tourney.