FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Despite jumping out to early leads in both games, Point Park could not hold off Fairmont State's explosive offense, as the Falcons completed the season sweep with a doubleheader victory Sunday afternoon at Duvall-Rosier Field.
GAME ONE: FAIRMONT STATE 9 – 3 POINT PARK
W: Wilson (5-3) | L: Johnson (4-12)
The Pioneers could not have scripted a better start to game one, using early power to grab momentum right away.
With two outs in the top of the first, the true freshman Shania Cope moved up to the three spot in the lineup and made an immediate impact. On a 2-2 pitch, she drove a ball to left-center that cleared the fence for her first career home run, giving Point Park a quick 1-0 lead before the Falcons even came to the plate/.
Point Park kept the pressure on in the second inning. Kaylee Fabiano followed suit, sending an opposite-field home run over the right-field fence for her first career long ball, doubling the lead. Mia Arndt kept the inning alive with a triple into the gap, forcing a pitching change, and Ava Hubble wasted no time welcoming the new arm with an RBI single to push the lead to 3-0 after an inning and a half.
But just as quickly as Point Park seized control, Fairmont State answered—and in a big way.
The Falcons erupted for six runs in the bottom of the second, completely flipping the momentum. Paige Matteson got things started with a two-run homer, and later in the inning, Emma Paul delivered the biggest swing—a three-run shot to right-center. Aggressive baserunning and timely hitting kept the line moving, and by the end of the inning, Fairmont State had turned a three-run deficit into a 6-3 lead.
From there, the Falcons never looked back.
After a brief lull, Fairmont State added three more runs in the fifth, capitalizing on a mix of hits, small ball, and defensive miscues. Bella Hess highlighted the inning with a triple, and a sacrifice fly added the final insurance run to make it 9-3.
Point Park continued to battle offensively, with Arndt and Emma Henry each collected two hits, but the early surge from Fairmont proved too much to overcome.
Micah Wilson earned the win in relief, shutting down the Pioneers over 4.2 scoreless innings. Julia Johnson took the loss despite going the distance, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 13 hits.
GAME TWO: FAIRMONT STATE 10 – 2 POINT PARK (5 INNINGS)
W: Alsop (2-0) | L: Henry (1-11)
Game two followed a similar script, with Point Park again finding early success before Fairmont State responded with a decisive inning.
The Falcons struck first in the opening frame, using patience at the plate and aggressive baserunning to take a 1-0 lead.
Point Park answered in the third with a well-executed rally. Fabiano worked a one-out walk and advanced on a bunt single from Arndt. After Hubble reached to load the bases, Cope continued her strong day at the plate, driving a double into right-center to bring home two runs and give the Pioneers a 2-1 advantage.
However, the lead was short-lived.
Fairmont State once again delivered a momentum-swinging inning in the bottom half, this time plating seven runs. Abbie Keilholz tied the game with a no-doubt solo home run, and the Falcons continued to apply pressure with hits, stolen bases, and aggressive base running. Paul drove in two more runs with a double, and Bri Marietta added a two-run homer as the Falcons broke the game open and surged ahead 9-2.
The Falcons tacked on one more run in the fourth and kept the Pioneers off the board the rest of the way, ending the game early via the run rule.
Arndt led Point Park offensively in game two, going 2-for-3 and continuing to be a consistent presence at the top of the lineup. Cope added two RBIs, while Cam Mann chipped in with a hit.
Liz Alsop earned the win in relief, tossing two scoreless innings, while Henry took the loss after allowing nine runs in 2.1 innings of work.
With the sweep, Fairmont State moves to 25-7 and 13-1 in MEC action. Point Park falls to 7-26 and 2-14 in league play.
UP NEXT
Point Park returns home Tuesday to host Seton Hill at Fairhaven Park, with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m. The Pioneers will then return to conference play next weekend, hosting Charleston and West Virginia State. First pitch for both doubleheaders is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
