MASON, Ohio - The West Liberty University baseball team split a doubleheader Thursday afternoon versus Malone at Prasco Park behind a complete game effort from Ian Brady in game two.

Game 2: WLU (4) - Malone (2)
Senior right hander Ian Brady dealt a complete game with six strikeouts as the Hilltoppers took game two of the twinbill over Malone, 4-2. 

The Pioneers scored first with a two-run bottom of the first inning. Brady settled in and left two stranded in that first inning before shutting down the Malone lineup the rest of the way. Over the next six innings Brady scattered four hits and one walk while striking out five Pioneers.

West Liberty's offense sent eight batters to the plate in the third inning scoring all four of its runs in the frame. Ty Helmke doubled after Zach Hawkins got plunked to lead off the inning putting runners at second and third for the Black and Gold. 

Jacob Sherman laced a single to right field bringing in Helmke and Hawkins to knot the game at two, but the Hilltoppers were not done. Ryan Talbert followed with a double to left field plating Sherman. Then, Talbert crossed the plate on a Kayne McGee single up the middle.

Three Hilltoppers had multi-hit games including a 2-for-4 effort by the top two spots in the lineup, Helmke and Sherman. Shortstop Trevor Thomas went 2-for-3 out of the six hole.

Game 1: WLU (3) - Malone (6)
Malone got started early with four runs in the first and two more in the second building a 6-0 lead and was able to hold off a late rally by West Liberty.

Noah Mildren led the third inning off with a double and came around to score on a Jacob Sherman ground out for the Hilltoppers first run of the game.

The Black and Gold added runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but it was not enough. Sherman crossed the plate in the sixth after leading off the frame with a double and coming around on a fielder's choice by James Salvatori. 

Mildren hit his second double of the game in the seventh bringing home Garrett Scott, who led the inning off with a single. Mildren ended the game 2-for-3, both doubles, with a run scored and an RBI.

Justin Pennybacker threw all six innings for West Liberty. He settled in after a rocky start and finished the game shutting out Malone over the final four innings allowing just three hits. Pennybacker's final line featured six runs, five earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts, two walks and two hit batters.

Up Next
The Hilltoppers and Pioneers are back at it for two more games tomorrow starting at 12 noon from Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.