WEIRTON — The Weir softball team got off to a slow start against rival Brooke, however, the Red Riders picked up en route to sweeping a doubleheader from the Bruins.

Weir scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to win the first game, 8-0, via mercy rule before scoring the first eight runs in Game 2 on its way to an 8-3 victory for its second win of the day in less than ideal conditions Tuesday night at the Roberta “Birdie” DeFrancis Softball Field.

With the sweep, Weir improved to 12-4 on the season, while Brooke dropped to 0-17 with the two losses.

“We started a little slow,” Weir head coach John Leary said after the first game. “It was cold. Both teams had to play in the cold. We were sluggish. We did not hit the ball. We could not square it up. Their pitcher did a good job keeping us off-balance. We have to do a better job of hitting the ball.”

The victors tallied a run in the first and another in the third to take a 2-0 lead in Game 1 before plating six runs in the fifth to bring the game to a close with one out in the inning.

Eliza Utt picked up the win for the Red Riders. Utt struck out eight and walked two.

Karson Drumm took the loss for the Green-and-Gold. Drumm struck out two and walked four.

Weir outhit Brooke, 8-1, in the win. The hosts had three-extra base hits on their way to the win.

Individually, Utt tallied a double and three RBI, batterymate Loganne Barton belted a double and finished with two RBI and Ryana Hoover recorded a single and an RBI. Also, Gigi Paladina produced a single and a double, Brynn Artman contributed a double, and Zoey Spencer, Elle Maley and Jaidyn Kelly all added a single.

Jazz Wood delivered a double for Brooke’s lone hit.

Weir got off to a better start in Game 2 as the Red Riders plated a pair of runs in the second and the in the third to build a 4-0 advantage. The Red Riders delivered two more runs in the fifth to extend their advantage to 6-0 before plating a pair of runs in the seventh to increase their advantage to 8-0.

The Bruins scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to prevent the shutout.

Utt picked up her second win of the day in Game 2. This time, she struck out five without walking a batter.

“I was very pleased with Eliza being able to go all 12 innings,” Leary said. “It was a very strong performance.”

Eden McKinney took the loss for the girls from Brooke County. McKinney struck out five and walked one.

Offensively, the Red Riders delivered 12 hits in the win – four of which went for extra bases.

Individually, Brayley Lash singled and belted two home runs to finish with four RBI to lead the way offensively for Weir.

“Brayley Lash had a strong game in Game 2 with two home runs and four RBI,” Leary said. “She had been in a little slump, and she worked real hard to work through it.”

Also, Barton contributed two singles, a double and an RBI, Bella Weber tallied a double and two RBI and Lili Ascencio, Hoover, Utt and Paladina all added a single.

McKinney collected a single and a solo home run to lead the way offensively for Brooke, Also, Maia Diserio delivered a single and an RBI and Emma Hayman ended up with a single.

“It was a good way to finish up before we head to Tennessee tomorrow,” Leary said.

Brooke is scheduled to play Buckeye Local at 5 p.m. today at home.

The Red Riders are off today as Weir will head down to Tennessee to play games Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Game 1

Weir 8, Brooke 0

Brooke 000 00 – 0 1 2

Weir 101 06 – 8 8 0

BROOKE (0-16): Drumm LP (4 1/3IP, 2K, 4BB) and Mag. Diserio. Wood S.

WEIR (11-4): Utt WP (5IP, 8K, 2BB) and Barton. Hoover S, RBI; Utt D, 3RBI; Barton D, 2RBI; Spencer S; Maley S; Kelly S; Paladina S, D.

Game 2

Weir 8, Brooke 3

Weir 022 020 2 – 8 11 3

Brooke 000 000 3 – 3 4 3

WEIR (12-4): Utt WP (7IP, 5K, 0BB) and Barton. Artman S; Hoover S; Utt S; Barton 2S, D, RBI; Ascencio S; Weber D, 2RBI; Lash S, 2HR, 4RBI; Paladina S.

BROOKE (0-17): Ed. McKinney LP (7IP, 5K, 1BB) and Mag. Diserio. Ed. McKinney S, HR, RBI; Mai. Diserio S;, RBI. Hayman S.