University completes clean sweep of sectional tournament

Carley Voithofer had a stellar day in the seventh spot in the UHS order, going 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles, two runs and five RBIs.

Josalyn Phillips and Kelsey Park added two RBIs and Lexi Elza, Campbell, Sophia Lehosit and Ashlyn Weaver also scored twice.

All that backed up Maddie Campbell, who struck out six in a complete game in the circle.

“Our girls are just looking to improve every day,” B-U coach Levi Bender said. “Winning’s a byproduct of the growth that we have. University, in the last couple of years, has really put it on us. We’re young again. We’re starting three freshmen. We’re starting three sophomores, so we’re looking to bridge the gap.”

B-U couldn’t capitalize on a one-out walk to Jansen Kimble in the top of the first, but turned a 6-3 double play, Kynnedy Marple to Taylor Spratt, to erase a free pass in the bottom of the inning to keep it scoreless.

“Kynnedy, a freshman, comes in and does that like she’s been here for four years,” Bender said. “She played a heck of a ballgame. She’s a true competitor.”

After Campbell struck out the side in the top of the second, Phillips led off the Hawk second by dropping a double down the left-field line, then courtesy runner Maddie Walls scored on Sophia Lehosit’s single to left.

After a walk to Ally Jansen, Voithofer smacked a two-RBI double to right field: 3-0.

Reese Curry started the Buccaneer rally with a single, then Reagan Mason sacrificed her to second, setting up an RBI double from Shaylee Hebb, who advanced to third on the throw.

That proved important as Marple’s flyout was deep enough for Hebb to tag up and score, cutting the University edge to 3-2 through two.

The Hawks rebuilt it, though, in the third as Elza singled, Campbell was hit by the pitch, both stole their way into scoring position and Phillips obliged with a two-run base hit to right field.

With two away, Voithofer came through with her second RBI double of the evening, then an two-run error boosted the Hawk edge to 8-2.

The Buccaneers stranded a pair in the top of the fourth as Alyssa Abel singled and Quinn Burnside walked.

University then put the game away with another burst.

Elza walked and scored on Campbell’s double, then a pair of walks loaded the bases for Voithofer, who singled in two more runs.

Park’s two-run triple pushed the cushion to 13-2.

University (18-9) advances to the best-of-3 regional tournament, which begins a week from Monday, while Buckhannon-Upshur’s season ends at 15-17.

“We’re not where we want to be yet, but it’s a step in the right direction,” Bender said. “These girls can take their offseason, hopefully take it seriously, and come in next year and have that gap even closer.”

B-U will have to do it without the graduating Kimble.

“Jansen is an absolute bulldog, one of the best leaders we’ve ever had. Great personality, always positive, and we’re going to miss her dearly. Our culture’s been in and out, between positive and negative, and we feel like she’s been the turning point, the stone in the water that gets us to move in the right direction in the future. Her impact is going to be felt for years to come.”