LHU Softball opens season with split at UVA Wise Tournament

WISE, Va. – Keiva Middleton pitched a gem in the Lock Haven softball team’s (1-1 overall) season opener to lead the Bald Eagles to a 3-0 victory over The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) on Thursday afternoon (Feb. 13). The Haven fell to North Greenville 4-2 in the nightcap.

Thursday’s non-conference doubleheader kicked off the 2025 season for the Bald Eagles, as they competed on day one of two at the UVA Wise Tournament in Wise, Virginia.

Game 1 Recap: Lock Haven 3, UVA Wise 0

In the season opener, Middleton pitched a complete-game shutout, while scattering six hits and racking up six strikeouts.

Five different Bald Eagles recorded a hit and Blaire Balestrini went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run in her debut. Hailey Irwin added an RBI double.

In the top of the fourth, the Bald Eagles scored the first run of the game when Irwin doubled down the left field line to plate Balestrini.

In the top of the fifth, The Haven extended its lead to 3-0 following a two RBI single by Balestrini, scoring Madison Melius and Maci Brodzina.

UVA Wise fell to 1-3 on the season.

Game 2 Recap: North Greenville 4, Lock Haven 2

In the night cap, The Haven once again scored first with a solo run in the bottom of the third.

However, North Greenville struck for three runs in the top of the fourth, which proved to be the difference.

Balestrini recorded her third hit on the day and scored a run and Brodzina picked up an RBI. The Bald Eagles notched four base knocks in the game.

Talia Ross got the start for The Haven and went 3.1 innings, allowing three runs and securing one strikeout. Abby Robertson threw the remaining 3.2 innings, allowing just one run on five hits and striking out a pair.

North Greenville improved to 5-2 on the season.

Next up for The Haven:

The Bald Eagles conclude the UVA Wise Tournament tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 14) and will take on UVA Wise at noon and North Greenville at 2 p.m.