Early home runs from Dayana Malone and Morgan Atwara gave West Geauga enough breathing room to survive a late Geneva rally as the Wolverines held on for a 4-3 win on Tuesday.

West Geauga improved to 15-3 overall, while Geneva dropped to 7-8.

Malone wasted no time setting the tone, blasting a leadoff home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning.

“First off, I knew it hit it well, but didn’t realize it went over until I looked over to see the team running out of the dugout,” Malone said.

The Wolverines kept rolling later in the inning when Atwara launched a two-out solo home run to center field. After Lely Percassi was hit by a pitch, Faelynn Beckrest ripped an RBI double to push the lead to 3-0.

“Morgan crushed that ball,” Malone said. “And her energy is contagious for sure.”

West Geauga added what proved to be the deciding run in the third inning. Percassi doubled with one out before Gabby Donofrio delivered a clutch two-out RBI double to make it 4-0.

Geneva chipped away in the fourth when Cadyn Siegel singled to open the inning and eventually scored on Gianna Markijohn‘s two-out RBI double.

The Eagles mounted their biggest threat in the fifth. Sophie Acord led off with a double and moved to third on Cora Brace‘s single. Siegel then lined a two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-3. Alyvia DeGroodt followed with another single to keep the pressure on before Percassi escaped the inning with a flyout.

Despite Geneva’s momentum, West Geauga’s dugout never panicked.

“The mood is always positive,” Malone said. “Even the girls on the bench are loud and energetic non-stop.”

Percassi finished the complete-game win, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out six.

“We haven’t been in many close games this season, so it was good for us to be challenged,” Malone said. “Lely knows she can trust us behind her. I am proud to play with these girls.”

Malone finished 2-for-3 with a homer and an RBI to lead the Wolverines offensively.

“I just felt like everything I’ve worked on is finally paying off,” Malone said. “I just saw the ball really well today.”

Top PlayersDayana Malone (West Geauga): 2-for-3, HR, RBI, run scoredMorgan Atwara (West Geauga): 1-for-2, HR, RBI, walkLely Percassi (West Geauga): 1-for-2, 2B, 2 runs; 7 IP, 6 KCadyn Siegel (Geneva): 3-for-4, 2 RBI, run scoredGianna Markijohn (Geneva): 1-for-2, RBI, 2B, walkMore Softball Coverage From OhioVarsity.com