MACON, Ga. – In a rare evening game, the Wildcats came alive a little too late. Fort Valley State rallied with its biggest outburst of the night in the seventh inning, but it fell short as Wesleyan College edged out an 8-5 softball win.

FVSU (4-7) fell behind 3-0 after two innings and never was able to grasp the lead. Trailing 8-2 after six frames, the Wildcats put together their only multiple-run at bat. Avery Thomas laced a two-run double to center to plate both Selena Linsenbach, who pinch ran following Laila Leverett's lead-off single, and Ashtyn Perkins, who laid down a bunt hit. Thomas raced home during the next at bat on a passed ball with the third score. Mariah Williams raced to first on a bunt single and Leah Leonard reached on an error, before the Wolves retired the final out to end the contest.

FVSU recorded six hits on the night with no one having more than one. Thomas' seventh-frame two-run double was the biggest hit and she scored the final run. Along with the Leverett, Perkins and Williams hits in the final at bat, Aundraya Levaud and Leonard registered earlier singles.

Behind 3-0 starting the top of the fourth, Williams was hit by a pitch with one out, moved to second on a passed ball and third on a Leonard single. The senior short stop raced home on a double steal with Leonard to make it 3-1.

After three Wolves runs in the home fourth, Zayla Skakel drew a two-out walk, stole second and scored on a home error off Thomas' bat for a 6-2 tally. Wesleyan took advantage of a FVSU error on the opening batter of the bottom of the sixth and it lead to its final two runs to set up the final inning with an 8-2 score.

FVSU will have Friday off before it opens the first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East series at home Saturday (Feb. 24) against Clark Atlanta. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 1 p.m.

-Wildcats-