GLENVILLE, W.Va. - The Glenville State Softball team mercy ruled both of their opponents today to start out the 2024 campaign, defeating Gannon 11-2 (five innings) and WVU Tech 14-4 (five innings). The Pioneers totaled 25 runs on 21 hits in the two games while also striking out 18 batters as a team.
GSU 11 | Gannon 2 / 5 Innings
Holly Brehm started off the 2024 campaign in Holly Brehm fashion, striking out the side to open the game. She received plenty of run support in the bottom of the 1st as Kaitlyn Rizor recorded her first RBI as a Pioneer and Makenna Negley brought her in with an RBI single afterwards. Kylee Goodman then added to the scoreboard, making it 3-0. Delaney Warnick blew it wide open with a three-run HR and Karlie Burdick scored on a wild pitch as GSU led 7-0 after one inning of play.
Gannon got on the board in the top of 2nd to trim the deficit to six. The hot start by the Pioneers slowed down until the bottom of the 4th when Monica Rodelo hit a grand slam over the center field fence, extending the GSU lead to 11-1. GU tried to avoid the mercy rule in the top of the 5th, loading the bases with one out. An error plated a run for the Golden Knights but that would be all they could do as Glenville State closed out the 11-2 victory.
Box Score
Kaitlyn Rizor and Kylee Goodman both had two hits and an RBI as Monica Rodelo led the offense with 4 RBI. Freshman Delaney Warnick finished her first collegiate game with 3 RBI. Holly Brehm struck out 12 while allowing six hits and walking two with an earned run.
Six Golden Knights finished with a hit with Jules Ryan and Josie Spano both recording an RBI. Gabi Vasi was ran out of the game after just 0.2 innings of work, giving up seven runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks.
GSU 14 | WVU Tech 4 / 5 Innings
WVU Tech wasted no time getting on the board, smacking a two-run HR to left field in the top of the first to take the early lead. The Pioneers answered right back with a big bottom half of the 1st, plating five runs on an RBI double from Kaitlyn Rizor, 2-RBI single from Monica Rodelo and a 2-RBI double from Addison Aguiniga.
Monica Rodelo recorded her second home run of the day, blasting a 3-run HR in the bottom of the second to put the Pioneers up by six. After another shutout inning in the top of the third, GSU blew the doors wide open with a five-run bottom of the 3rd. Kaitlyn Rizor picked up an RBI while Emily Nolan and Monica Rodelo both had 2-RBI hits to extend the lead to 13-2. The bottom of the 4th saw Delaney Warnick pick up her second home run of the day with a solo shot. WVU Tech scored two runs in the top of the 5th but it wasn't enough as the game ended at 14-4 in favor of the Pioneers.
Box Score
Monica Rodelo finished with a team-high three hits and 7 RBI. Kaitlyn Rizor, Emily Nolan and Addison Aguiniga all finished with 2 RBI each. Kylie Burdick started, going four innings and allowing two runs (both earned) on six hits and one walk, striking out six. Madison Thimmes got the win after coming in relief.
Two Golden Bears finished with two hits and Mac Wilkens produced 2 RBI in the loss. Meghan Gill took the loss after going just 0.1 innings.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers are back at it tomorrow morning against Indiana (Pa.) at 10:30 a.m.
