JACKSON, Tenn. - The West Liberty University baseball team dropped its season-opening doubleheader on Friday at Union University by scores of 12-7 and 7-3.

Game 1: WLU (7) - Union (12)
Ryan Talbert got the season started with a one-out single to left field driving in Ty Helmke to get the Hilltoppers on the board early. Talbert finished the game with three hits, including a double, and three RBI. Jacob Sherman ended the season opener with three straight hits, two of which were doubles, after flying out in the first inning and scored a pair of runs.

Union answered with a run in the bottom half of the first to quickly tie it up. A pair of third run scores gave Union the lead. 

Sherman raced home on a passed ball in the fifth, but the Bulldogs extended their lead to six runs with a fifth inning run and two in the seventh making it 8-2.

A late rally from West Liberty brought the game back within two runs. Jake Probst drove in a run, then Sherman and Talbert laced back-to-back two-out doubles bringing the margin to 8-6 Bulldogs.

Union answered with three runs in the bottom of the eighth to take back control of the game.

The Hilltoppers got runners to second and third to start the ninth, but the ensuing three batters went down in order.

James Salvatori and Brad Goodyear each had two hits. Salvatori recorded a double and Goodyear had the RBI in the ninth.

Four pitchers threw for the Black and Gold, Justin Pennybacker suffered the loss over five innings.

Game 2: WLU (3) - Union (7)
Union rolled out to a 7-1 lead in game two through five innings controlling the seven inning nightcap.

The Hilltoppers got on the board in the third off a Jacob Sherman grounded out to drive in Hunter Cottrell, who reached on an error to start the inning, narrowing the margin to 3-1.

The Bulldogs answered with one in the bottom of the third and a three spot in the fourth, then another in the fifth.

A Cottrell two-out double drove in James Salvatori in the sixth, then Ty Helmke came around in the seventh on a wild pitch after leading off the frame with a double.

Helmke ended the game 2-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and a run scored leading the Hilltoppers offense.

Ian Brady started and was handed the loss over 4.0 innings pitched with three strikeouts and six earned runs. Ethan Conley tossed the final two innings allowing one run and three hits.

Up Next
West Liberty will finish opening weekend tomorrow with two more against the Bulldogs at 2 and 5 pm est in Jackson, Tenn.