Glenville, W.Va. – The Glenville State softball team opened MEC play with a split against Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon at the Sue Morris Sports Complex. The Pioneers fell to the Fighting Falcons 4-0 in the first game before picking up a 5-0 win in the nightcap.

In the first game, the Fighting Falcons plated two runs behind Katlynn Foltz's two-run single in the top of the second. Kaylee Andersen's solo homerun in the third pushed Fairmont State ahead 3-0. Glenville State surrendered an additional run in the seventh to fall 4-0.

Karra Smith tallied the lone hit for the Pioneers in the setback. Celina Maberto took the loss on the mound, allowing four runs off of five hits in seven innings of work. She recorded four strikeouts on the day.

Hannah Absalom picked up the win for the Falcons. She tossed a one-hitter with eight strikeouts over the course of seven innings.

In game two, Glenville State scored a run in the opening frame after a Fairmont State error, and tacked on an additional run in the third using Ally Brown's sacrifice fly. Tori Ward's three-run homerun in the fifth gave the Pioneers all they would need for the 5-0 victory.

Ward finished the game 2-3 with three RBI while earning the win on the mound. She allowed six hits in the shutout win while striking out five. Karra Smith was 2-2 with two runs scored for the Pioneers.

Foltz paced the Fighting Falcons with two hits in the setback. Darby Peterson was charged with the loss on the mound after allowing five runs off of six hits in five innings of work. Haley McDaniel entered the game in-relief and surrendered two hits over the course of two innings.

Fairmont State moves to 6-8 on the year and 1-1 in MEC play. Glenville State posts a 5-7 mark on the year and stands 1-1 in the league. The Pioneers return to action on Sunday as they host Shepherd in a MEC doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at the Sue Morris Sports Complex.