McHenry, Md. – The West Liberty University baseball team fell in a pair of games played at a neutral site at Garrett College's Diamond at the Lake Field to Frostburg State, losing by scores of 9-3 and 4-1. As the games shifted locations due to field conditions, the Hilltoppers were able to strike first in both contests, however the Bobcats out-hit the Black & Gold by a combined 17-8 margin to seize control in the Sunday doubleheader.

QUICK DETAILS – GAME 1
Final Score: West Liberty 3, Frostburg State 9
Team Records: West Liberty 7-20 (4-9 MEC), Frostburg State 18-7 (11-2 MEC)
Attendance: 235
Pitching Decision: Win: Jacob McDonald (5-1), Loss: Brady Harmon (2-5)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• West Liberty struck first in the top of the first inning as Ryan Talbert came around to score the first run on a double by James Salvatori after he reached base safely on an error by the shortstop. Later in the frame Trevor Thomas reached base on the second error in the inning by Frostburg State, allowing Salvatori to cross the plate to make it a 2-0 ball game after he stole third on the previous at-bat.
• The Hilltoppers were unable to maintain the lead as the Bobcats scored six runs in the bottom of the first with two runs crossing the plate on a pair of sacrifice fly outs to right field, another two runs scored on two different WLU errors, and a 2-RBI single to center field, which brought the score to 6-2 after one inning of play.
• After each team found the scoreboard in the opening inning of the contest, it wouldn't be until the bottom of the fourth when the next runs would be scored as FSU knocked a 2-RBI single to left field to make it 8-2.
• WLU scored their final run of the match-up in the top of the sixth as a ground out to the shortstop by Brad Goodyear allowed for Will Balgo to score after he reached on a fielder's choice two at-bats earlier, cutting the deficit to 8-3.
• Frostburg State ended the scoring in the opening game of the doubleheader with an RBI double to left field making the final tally 9-3.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 1
James Salvatori: 2-for-3, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 stolen base
Trevor Thomas: 1-for-3, 1 double
Luke Marsh: 1-for-3, 1 double
Brady Harmon: 5.0 innings pitched, 5 strikeouts
 
QUICK DETAILS – GAME 2
Final Score: West Liberty 1, Frostburg State 4
Team Records: West Liberty 7-21 (4-10 MEC), Frostburg State 19-7 (12-2 MEC)
Attendance: 223
Pitching Decision: Win: Patrick Bauer (4-1), Loss: Jacob Watson (1-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• Once again West Liberty struck first as Ryan Talbert crossed the plate on an RBI single to third base by Will Balgo, after he knocked a double to left field two at-bats earlier, making it a 1-0 ball game.
• Despite surrendering six Frostburg State hits through the first four innings of action, Jacob Watson and the Hilltopper defense forced the Bobcats to leave four runners stranded on base as they remained scoreless until the bottom of the fifth.
• FSU took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back doubles to center field, making it a 3-1 contest.
• Frostburg State extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single to center field bringing the score to 4-1, and their defense closed out the game by holding West Liberty without a hit following the top of the second.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 2
Ryan Talbert: 1-for-3, 1 double, 1 run scored
Will Balgo: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
Jacob Watson: 6.0 innings pitched, 3 strikeouts
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty wraps up their first 4-game series against MEC North competition tomorrow against Frostburg State. The Hilltoppers and Bobcats will be set for first pitch times of 1 and 4 p.m. at Bob Wells Field in Frostburg, Maryland.