SALEM, Va. — West Liberty University has advanced to Saturday’s final of the 2025 Mountain East Conference Championships at James I. Moyer Complex, and MEC Pitcher of the Year Addison Mass is proving why she elicited postseason accolades.  

The Hilltoppers, seeded No. 2 in the MEC North, defeated North Division champion Fairmont State to open Friday’s action as the final four teams vied for a spot in the championship game. Then, Mass dazzled for a two-game, 14-inning stretch — earning a pair of victories to send UC into the finale of the four-day event.

Game 11 — West Liberty 4, Fairmont State 3

The Falcons jumped on the Hilltoppers early with a three-run first. Liz Waszkiewicz doubled to left-center to drive in two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and then MEC Freshman of the Year Alexa Foresha singled to left to score Waszkiewicz to give Fairmont State a seemingly comfortable advantage.

Then, West Liberty chipped away. Sydney Johnson clubbed a two-run double to right-center in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 3-2, and then she singled in the top of the seventh — with the Hilltoppers down to their final out of the season — to force extra innings. In the top of the eighth, Ashlyn Tapman singled, Kadence Pettit reached on a fielder’s choice, and then Jaden Conrad tripled to right-center to score Pettit and give West Liberty the winning run.

Pettit fired 7 2/3 of scoreless baseball after Fairmont State chased the Hilltoppers’ starter.

West Liberty punched the first ticket to the MEC Championship game with the win.

Game 12 — Charleston 3, Glenville State 0

Mass was the story as the Golden Eagles ended the MEC South Division champions’ season. She did not allow a hit across seven innings, striking out five and walking five.

UC’s offense generated enough support, first on an RBI single by Hannah Meyer in the second, and then an RBI single up the middle by Ella Zucchero that plated Meyer.

Lindsey Phares tacked on a sacrifice fly in the seventh, and then Mass generated a pair of pop-ups and a foul out to keep the Golden Eagles’ season alive.

Game 13 — Charleston 3, Fairmont State 0

In an elimination game for both teams, the Golden Eagles and Falcons were scoreless through six innings as Mass, this year’s MEC Pitcher of the Year, and Delaney Haller, the 2024 Freshman of the Year, dueled in the circle.

UC’s breakthrough came in the top of the seventh inning when Kyra Gooler smacked a two-run double to left-center, and then Raegan West singled down the left-field line to drive in Gooler and give the Golden Eagles a 3-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the seventh, Mass took care of Waszkiewicz and Foresha and then ended then elicited a swinging strike three to end the game and put UC into Saturday’s championship game against West Liberty.

Saturday’s schedule

11 a.m. — Game 14: Championship Game, #2N West Liberty vs. #2S Charleston — Field 1

1:30 p.m. — Game 15: If Needed — Field 1