Box Score

SALEM, Va. – East Stroudsburg University added five more stolen bases to its season total, swiping at least five bags for the third time in eight games this year, but West Liberty used an early three-run cushion to hold on for a 3-2 victory in Salem, Va., on Friday morning.

Junior Mary Wallick and freshman Rachel Grabowski registered RBIs for the Warriors (2-6), while sophomore Madison Vicendese, freshman Kaylee Hazewski, senior Danielle Wissinger, junior Heather Visco and sophomore Kendra Barlotta accounted for the team's five steals.

The Hilltoppers (1-0) plated single runs in the first, third and fourth innings. Sydney Bennington capped off the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the fourth to make it 3-0 midway through the contest.

The bottom of the frame began with back-to-back singles by Visco and Wissinger. The two then executed a double steal, but Visco was ruled out at the plate after trying to advance on a wild throw from the West Liberty catcher. ESU still managed to score a pair in the inning, as Wallick followed with an RBI triple and Grabowski brought her home with a pinch-hit single, earning her first collegiate hit and RBI in the process.

The Warriors had their best chance to tie the score in the sixth inning. Wallick led off with a leadoff single, her second hit of the game, and she made it to third after a single by junior Katherine Liedberg. Junior Janine Giordano came in to pinch hit, and she hit a groundball to the pitcher, who threw out Wallick trying to score from third on the play.

Wallick and Hazewski each had a pair of hits, with Wallick also going the distance in the circle. She allowed six hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out two West Liberty batters.

Hazewski's steal was her team-leading ninth of the season on 10 attempts. Wissinger, meanwhile, continued her strong play behind the backstop as she threw out a runner trying to steal for a third game this year.

Savannah Sieger worked the first five innings for the Hilltoppers in the circle to pick up the win, while Marley Thompson came on for the final two frames to pick up a save.

ESU was scheduled to play Chowan at 7 p.m. on Friday night, but the game was canceled after the stadium lights blew out. The Warriors will return to action against IUP (10 a.m.), Winston-Salem (2 p.m.) and Glenville State (4 p.m.) on Saturday to conclude this weekend's tournament in Salem.