The Morgantown girls’ tennis team suffered a bit of a setback with news No. 1 singles and part of its No. 2 doubles team, Emme McKnight, suffered a torn labrum.
As a result, the Mohigans had to forfeit in the first round of the OVAC doubles tournament Wednesday, but behind the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles team, the Mohigans hold a 1-point lead over Linsly.
No. 2’s Kassie Regules and Samantha Carver knocked off Steubenville Catholic (8-0), Oak Glen (8-6) and Wheeling Park (8-3) to claim the OVAC championship.
No. 3’s Amy Li and Sophia Mascari beat St. Clairsville (8-4), Oak Glen (8-1) an John Marshall (8-6) to win the title.
University garnered 4 points on Day 1, mostly on the strength of a runners-up finish at No. 1 doubles by Deah Gharib and Emma Rusiecki. They beat Steubenville, Oak Glen and Brooke on their way to the title match before ultimately losing to Linsly.
The tournament will continue with singles play Thursday.
Softball
Morgantown 13, Steubenville 2
The Mohigans’ offense continues to put up huge numbers, needing just five innings to beat Steubenville in the OVAC semifinals and scoring runs in all but one.
MHS led by six runs after two innings and scored their final seven in the fourth and fifth frames. Breonna Marietta and Emily Goldcamp each had three RBIs to lead the team, Emma Phares and Grace Haines each had two.
Marietta (2), Phares, Goldcamp, Haines Maris Anthony, Mahalie Moser and Lillian Kooser all tallied hits.
Haines tossed all five innings in the circle, allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out three.
The Mohigans (6-2) will play in the OVAC championship game Friday.
University 3, John Marshall 1
Behind a dominant performance by Autumn Stemple, the Hawks held on late to earn the upset win in the OVAC semifinal.
Stemple pitched all seven innings, striking out 12 Monarchs and allowing just three hits and one earned run in the seventh inning to earn the win.
The Hawks offense was stymied early but scored two in the fifth inning, and Stemple helped her own cause, launching a home run in the sixth inning.
UHS (6-4) advance to the OVAC championship game.
Girls’ lacrosse
University 12, Preston 8
The Hawks were led by a duo of 3-goal scorers in their win over the Knights.
Becca Chmiel and Kendall Kirby each scored three goals, whole Morgan Ryan added two. Sela Chico, Devyn Benn, Haley Livengood and Livvy Staud were the remaining scorers for UHS.
Kirby, Ryan and Livengood added assists. In goal, Lexi Starcher had five saves, while Alena Arbogast ha two.
For Preston, Hailey Rosenberger led all scorers with five goals, while Morgan McNear added two and Mackenzie Miller had one.
Goalie Jessica Newcome had eight saves and Abbie Belanger had five more.
The Hawks (2-2) will host Morgantown at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Boys’ lacrosse
Fairmont Senior 8, University 3
The game was tied 2-2 at halftime, but the Polar Bears pulled away in the second half to grab the win.
UHS scorers were Devin L’hommodieu, Nolan Danhires and Peyton Turner. Daniel Phillips had six saves in goal.
The Hawks (2-1) will host Wheeling Central at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
JV baseball
Morgantown 5, Waynesburg Central 1: Behind a game-high two RBIs by Koma Neal, the Mohigans earned the win. On the mound, Tristian Milik struck out seven in just three innings, while Ryan Principe struck out four in two innings.
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