VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - The No. 6 Virginia Wesleyan softball team defeated the Bison of Bethany College (WVa.) in five innings 8-0 on Friday afternoon at Tom and Betty Broyles Field in TowneBank Park in Virginia Beach, VA. The Marlins improve to 8-1 on the season while the Bison start off their season 0-1.

INSIDE THE SCORE
The game began with the Marlins taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a single to right field by Danielle Stewart that scored Julia Sinnett after she reached base on an error. VWU put four more runs in the bottom of the second going up 5-0 over BC. The first run came from Kaylah Duplain who scored on a Daja Burgee single to the shortstop. Maria Weddle doubled to left field scoring Burgee and Madison Glaubke, both unearned runs, while the final run was scored by Weddle who was driven home by Sinnett who hit a double to right field for the final run of the inning. 

Madison Hudson scored a lone run in the bottom of the third following a fielders choice play that saw Glaubke reach first base but also saw Julie Fassl out on the play. The last two runs came in the bottom of the fourth with the first on a unique double-steal play between Krissy D'Arco and Haleigh Settle that saw Settle steal second and earning a throw from the catcher for the attempted caught-stealing play. D'Acro took the opportunity to steal home to score and then Settle advanced to third on the throw back in to home plate. Settle then scored a play later when Brook Anderson drew the throw in a caught stealing scenario allowing Settle from third to score the eighth run. 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by Maria Weddle with one run on one hit and two RBI in two at-bats. Julia Sinnett added one run on a hit and one RBI in two at-bats. Hanna Hull pitched two innings during with she walked one batter and struck out two of six batters faced. Karlee Fretz (W: 1-0) earned her first win after she threw two innings as well giving up one hit with two strikeouts in seven batters faced.

BETHANY LEADERS
The Bison were led by Lauren Maichle with one hit in two at-bats. Gabriella Capaldi (L: 0-1) picked up the loss after throwing two innings during which she gave up five runs on five hits with only one run being earned. Tatum Barrass threw two innings as well giving up three runs on three hits and four walks in 12 batters faced.

UP NEXT
Virginia Wesleyan returns to action tomorrow when they take on the Bison for a second game and the Gators of Allegheny. Game times will be 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM with the 11 AM game being between the Bison and Marlins, the 1 PM game between the Bison and Gators, and the Marlins rounding out the day against the Gators at 3 PM.