GLENVILLE, W.Va. – The 2025 season has been nothing short of historic for the Glenville State Lady Pioneer Softball team. Between the single-season record of victories passed, an MEC South Division title and overall MEC Regular Season title, and a host of individual marks being broken, this regular season has presented a result that Coach Scoone has been steadily building towards in her 5th year at the helm. As the squad prepares for its first action on Wednesday (Apr. 30), the field of opponents in front of them is nothing to take lightly. With playmakers and historic success on all squads, all potential opponents will be analyzed below. It will be an exciting week of action for the Lady Pioneers as they seek to take their first conference title in program history, starting with Wheeling on Wednesday afternoon.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Wednesday, April 30 I 2:30 pm I James I. Moyer Sports Complex – Salem, Va.
#1S Glenville State vs #4N Wheeling
Watch Live on MEC.TV I Live Stats
Championship Central
THE OPENING OPPONENT
WHEELING
2025 Season
The Cardinals find themselves in the conference tournament for the first time since 2018 after going (8-18) in league play, gaining the nod for the final postseason spot via their winning record against Frostburg State, who they were tied with. After struggling to find their stride in their out-of-conference schedule, Wheeling has been able to right themselves enough to earn a chance to make things happen in Salem. This is greatly to the delight of 2nd-year head coach Mallory Chapman, who improved their conference wins by four from last year and was a member of the previously mentioned 2018 squad that made the MEC Championship game. With a resume holding multiple wins over fellow tournament participants, the Cardinals will not be a first opponent for the Lady Pioneers to take lightly.
Quick Look at The Cardinals
The most consistent presence in the order has been sophomore outfielder Amber Morgan, who finished above .400 in the regular season and 5th overall in that category in the MEC. Morgan and two others, freshman first baseman and junior infielder Maria Clark surpassed 20 RBIs on the season, with Clark as the home run leader at three. Morgan leads in extra-base hits as well with 14. Freshman Kaylin Shields has led the pitching staff this year, with a team-leading eight wins and 4.45 ERA. Clark has made an impact on the mound, ranking 2nd on the squad with a 5.15 ERA and three wins.
THE REST OF THE FIELD
DAVIS & ELKINS
2025 Season
Though the Senators got off to a rocky start this season, they caught fire in the back half of the conference lineup, winning 15 of their last 20 to take the 3rd place spot in the MEC South Division, finishing (27-26) overall and (20-10) in league play. They were the only MEC opponent to hold a winning record over the Lady Pioneers, taking 3 of their 4 matchups, including a split series last Friday. The current hot streak is to the great delight of 5th-year chief Elle Fracker, seeking to lead the team to their 3rd consecutive MEC title game appearance. Their first action will be against North Division 2nd-seeded West Liberty.
Quick Look at The Senators
A high-powered offense has paved the way for Davis & Elkins in 2025, leading the MEC in runs scored and total hits, 2nd in batting average only to the Lady Pioneers. Three Senators finished in the top 10 for batting average, with junior Utility Ashlyn Zapach finishing 3rd at a .421 clip. Zapach also led the MEC in RBIs at 49 and finished with seven home runs. MEC Player of the Year Linzey Allard has been an issue for opposing pitchers all season, currently hitting .403 with 42 RBIs herself and a league-leading 13 home runs. Rounding out the triumvirate is senior outfielder Lena Gutierrez, who is hitting .396 and holds 36 RBIs, as well as four deep bombs herself. The combo of redshirt senior Saylor Kneeland and sophomore Sammie Jarvis carry the majority of the load on the mound, combining for 25 of the Senators 27 wins on the year. Jarvis ranks top 10 in strikeouts with 108 and a 3.97 ERA, while Kneeland finished in the top 10 for lowest runs allowed and holds a 3.91 ERA. With all factors in play, the Senators have been the toughest opponent in 2025 and will present a massive challenge as the play progresses in Salem.
WEST LIBERTY
2025 Season
The Hilltoppers enjoyed a quality outing in the 2025 regular season, going (28-23) overall and (18-10) in the MEC to secure the second seed in the north division. Just as the Senators, they have been streaking to end the year, winning 8 of their last 10 including two over north division top seed Fairmont State. Head coach Sara Pelegreen has done well in her 2nd season at the helm to continue the steady success of the Hilltoppers, who have been mainstays in both the MEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament over the last decade. Though the Lady Pioneers did sweep the season series, a high rate of play in all facets makes West Liberty another challenging opponent in the coming days, starting with a matchup against the Senators.
Quick Look at the Hilltoppers
West Liberty presents a challenge on all fronts, ranking 3rd overall in both pitching and fielding, while the offensive attack has been led more by committee. Junior outfielder Sydney Johnson has been the most noteworthy Hilltopper in the order, currently hitting .410 with 17 RBIs. Freshman utility Jillian Morr has been a massive contributor in her first season, hitting .303 with 25 RBIs and two home runs. Sophomore infielder Isabella McKee is the most prominent power threat with five home runs and a team-leading 28 RBIs. A factor to keep in mind for the Hilltoppers is their speed on the bases, tied for 2nd place in the conference with 59 stolen bases on the year. The pitching staff is a triad of Juniors Madison Angus and Leah Alford along with sophomore Kadence Pettit, with Pettit ranking in the top 10 this season for wins, ERA, and total strikeouts. Alford is top 10 for ERA as well, while Angus has picked up seven wins herself. With all of this in mind, the Hilltoppers are another challenging and experienced opponent poised to make noise in the Commonwealth throughout the week.
POINT PARK
2025 Season
The first go around for the Pioneers in the MEC has been a pleasing one up north, going (16-28) overall and (10-18) in league play to snag the 3rd seed in the North Division. Hot and cold is a term that well describes their play, with wins over Fairmont State, West Liberty and the Lady Pioneers, though they have split almost every series in league play. However, the taking of the 3rd seed is much to the delight of veteran head coach Michelle Coultas as she leads the Pioneers in their first season of NCAA competition. It will be a fast introduction to postseason play with their first game slated against South Division 2nd-seeded University of Charleston.
Quick Look at The Pioneers
Sophomore outfielder Mia Arndt leads the way for the Point Park offensive attack, with a top 10 batting average and 15 stolen bases on the year, tied for 7th. Junior catcher Gianna Welsh brings the most power in the order with three home runs and 21 RBIs, both team-leading values. Sophomore utility Emma Henry will be another player to watch, with a .313 average and 15 RBIs. Right-hander Jaylyn Mullenax will be a tough matchup on the mound, finishing in the top 10 for ERA, wins, and strikeouts. Senior Savannah Lee will be a key piece to their play in Salem as well, 2nd on the team in appearances and a 5.08 ERA.
UNIVERSITY OF CHARLESTON
2025 Season
The 2nd seed in the South Division will be a squad that everyone will have their eyes on, and for good reason. Coming off of back-to-back MEC titles, including a berth in the World Series last season, UC finished one game behind the Lady Pioneers in the standings and split the season series. With an off-and-on start to the year, they have found their groove in the latter portion of the season, winning 7 of their last 10, including a sweep over Fairmont State, finishing (30-14) overall and (21-9) in MEC play. Though not being the top seed is an unfamiliar spot, a roster loaded with playmakers and a winning-minded first-year head coach in Taylor Welch still places UC as a monster that any of the contenders will have to be concerned with as the Golden Eagles seek a historic three-peat.
Quick Look at The Golden Eagles
The attack of UC will be a difficult one to plan for, 2nd overall in offense, including six over .300 in batting average, and the conference leader in both pitching and fielding. Senior Hannah Meyer has been a problem for opponents all year, with a .333 batting average, 33 RBIs and eight home runs. Senior utility Kayla Moran has been the most consistent hitter with a .353 average, four deep balls and 27 RBIs, along with 10 stolen bases. Senior infielder Lindsey Phares is also above 30 RBIs on the year and has five home runs, while freshman infielder Ella Zucchero will be one to keep an eye on with a .303 average and 11 stolen bases on the year. While the Golden Eagles have only used three pitchers on the year, an elite challenge in junior Addison Mass awaits. Mass has been lockdown throughout 2025, leading the conference in ERA at 1.84, strikeouts with 147, and the lowest opponent batting average at .178. Senior Chloe Elliott will be an important piece to their championship push, finishing in the top 10 for ERA, strikeouts, and just outside the top 10 in opponent batting average and hits allowed. All of these factors make the Golden Eagles an imposing matchup for any of the championship suitors in Salem and will be high on the minds of the Lady Pioneers as they seek to dethrone the reigning champs.
FAIRMONT STATE
2025 Season
The three-time North Division champion Fighting Falcons roll into Salem with high confidence, tying the Lady Pioneers for the most overall wins with 34, splitting their doubleheader earlier this season, and put out an MEC record of (19-9). Supported by an even attack on all fronts with top-tier players scattered all across MEC leaderboards, the Falcons present one of the most formidable roadblocks that any team might face on their way to the MEC Championship. Coming off of a program record 40 victories last season, 3rd-year boss Brooke Lowery will look to lead the team to their first conference title since 2021.
Quick Look at The Fighting Falcons
Offensively, FSU boasts six players over .300 in batting average and five with over 20 RBIs. Freshman infielder Alexa Foresha has been one of the catalysts of this attack with a .368 average and is top 10 in both RBIs and home runs. Fellow freshman Emma Paul has been nothing short of a problem, hitting .346, leading the team in RBIs with 39, and has been successful on all 28 stolen base attempts this year, 2nd in the league. In terms of speed, the Falcons have made a high-class living on the bases, boasting four players with over 15 stolen bases on the year. In fact, all four of the top spots for stolen bases in the conference belong to FSU, led by junior outfielder Bella Hess with a remarkable 49, 21 more than her teammate Paul, while seniors Alexa Andrews and Elizabeth Waskiewicz hold 19 and 18, respectively. Both Andrews and Waskiewicz have over 20 RBIs as well. Sophomore Delaney Haller has placed herself among the premier pitchers in the MEC with her performance this year, ranking 4th in ERA, leading the MEC in wins with 19, and 4th in strikeouts with 98. Caitlyn Morey will be an important contributor, top 10 in wins, and strikeouts, and ranks 11th in lowest opponent batting average. Though coming off of two losses to the University of Charleston to end the regular season, the Fighting Falcons are a team that will cause headaches for any of their opponents in the Commonwealth State, and offer one of the biggest hurdles the Lady Pioneers may battle within their chase for their first MEC title.
CONCORD
2025 Season
Rounding out the tournament field is the Mountain Lions, who took the 4th seed in the South Division after going (23-26) overall and (16-14) in MEC play. Things have taken off in Athens, rebounding after a (7-12) beginning to the season, and have been a formidable opponent, holding wins over Fairmont, Charleston, and GSU. Such a trend is a welcome sight for 4th-year head coach Alyssa Morris, bringing the Mountain Lions to their 2nd consecutive MEC Tournament. With formidable weapons and shown ability to compete and win against the top of the conference, Concord will be a dark horse to make madness happen in Salem.
Quick Look at The Mountain Lions
The order for Concord holds five players over 20 RBIs, led by one of the premier offensive weapons in the conference with Junior infielder Lacie Lewis, who finished with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs on the season, good for 2nd in both categories. Sophomore infielder, Kendall Morgan led the squad in batting average at .362 and knocked in 22 RBIs, while senior infielder Courtney Raines will be a player to keep an eye on with five home runs and 29 RBIs. Speed on the basepaths will be another factor to watch, with the Mountain Lions in a tie for 2nd in the conference. A key piece to a potential run for Concord will be Junior Utility Madison Hollis, who is 3rd in batting average and leads the team in hits. Hollis is also the top pitcher for the Mountain Lions, with a team-leading 3.51 ERA and eight wins. Freshman Mahailey Nicholson has seen the next most action on the bump, with seven wins and is just outside the top 10 in lowest opponent batting average. While the Mountain Lions will come into the tournament as the 4th seed, a productive offensive lineup and proven ability to beat top teams will make Concord a potential squad to stir the pot throughout the week.
THE PIONEERS
GLENVILLE STATE
2025 Season
The historic 2025 campaign wrapped up last weekend with the squad securing their first-ever South Division title and ranking first place in the MEC as a whole. Given the team performances and record-setting seasons of several individual players, this result is no surprise. With a high-powered offense and a lockdown pitching staff, honcho Sara Scoone's 5th season at the helm has been the culmination of continuous improvement throughout her tenure, already surpassing the single-season wins record with 34. As tournament play begins on Wednesday, the Lady Pioneers will head into tournament play to solidify themselves among the top of the MEC and continue the push towards their first conference title in program history.
Quick Look at The Lady Pioneers
The batting order for GSU is loaded with production, with six over .300 in average and eight with over 25 RBIs. Sophomore outfielder Delaney Warnick and senior infielder Makenna Negley both set single-season records last weekend, with Warnick breaking the RBI record at 44 and Negley setting a new mark for doubles with 19. Negley leads in average at .414, while sophomore shortstop is close behind at .390. Juniors Kylee Goodman and Emma Mclean and senior Monica Rodelo, all sit at above .300 as well. Goodman and Rodelo have been catalysts all year, both having graced 30 RBIs and holding four and six home runs, respectively. Junior outfielder Shelby McDaniels sits right below .300 at .297 and has driven in 25 runs, while longtime infield cornerstone Addison Aguiniga has brought in 24. Sophomores Emily Nolan and Hannah Howe have split time this year, both more than proven in their ability to imitate brick walls behind the dish.
The pitching staff has terrorized opposing hitters all season long, with three arms ranking in the top 10 for ERA, wins, opponent batting average, and runs allowed. Kylie Burdick has made her junior season a historic one, fresh off of setting the single-season wins record last week, winning her 3rd MEC pitcher of the week honor in the process. Meghan Stump has used her sophomore spin to place her at the top of the conference, while the first go around of AndiJo Howard has her on track to join that club very soon if her performance this season has not done that already. With all of the competitors in place and games slated to begin on Wednesday, the 2025 MEC Tournament has everything that a sports fan can hope to find: underdogs, powerhouses, upstarts, and dark horses. With the Lady Pioneers entering as the regular season crown holders, it will be an action-packed and exciting close to MEC play in 2025.
MEDIA
Fans can follow Glenville State Softball on Twitter (X) @GSU_SOFTBALL_ and Instagram @GSU_SOFTBALL_ to stay connected with the Pioneers and for news, score updates and many more all season long.
Subscribe to 'Glenville State Athletics' on YouTube to keep up with the Pioneer Coaches Show and all GSU Athletics content.
