Game One:
ROME, Ga. – In a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final play, the West Liberty University baseball team fell just short in a tough 5-4 walk-off loss to Shorter University on Friday.
With the game tied at four in the bottom of the seventh, Shorter's Alex Brodie delivered the decisive blow with a sacrifice fly, bringing home the winning run and handing the Hilltoppers a heartbreaking defeat.
West Liberty wasted no time getting on the board, striking first in the top of the opening frame. Will Balgo's lineout brought in two runs, giving the Hilltoppers an early 2-0 advantage. However, Shorter responded quickly, tying the game on Brodie's two-run double to right field in the bottom of the first.
Shorter took its first lead in the second inning when a wild pitch allowed a runner to score, making it 3-2. The Hilltoppers answered in the fifth, reclaiming the lead at 4-3 after a clutch RBI double from Ryan Talbert and a run-scoring single from William Glick.
The Hawks responded yet again in the bottom of the fifth, tying the game at four on Brodie's second RBI double of the contest. The game remained deadlocked until the final inning when Shorter capitalized on a sacrifice fly to walk it off.
On the Mound:
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Ethan Conley took the loss for West Liberty, pitching 3.1 innings in relief, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
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Drake Dobson got the start, tossing 2.2 innings while surrendering three runs on three hits, striking out three, and walking three.
At the Plate:
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Ryan Talbert led the Hilltoppers with a strong 2-for-3 performance, including an RBI double.
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William Glick added an RBI single.
Game Two:
ROME, Ga. – A tough sixth inning proved to be the difference as the West Liberty University baseball team fell to Shorter University, 14-4, on Friday. A 10-run outburst by the Hawks in the bottom of the sixth put the game out of reach, handing the Hilltoppers a tough road loss.
West Liberty (0-2) started strong, striking first in the top of the opening frame. William Glick delivered an RBI single to right field, and Will Balgo added an RBI groundout to give the Hilltoppers an early 2-0 lead.
The teams traded solo home runs in the fourth inning, with Connor Huzicka launching a shot to left field for the Hilltoppers and Shorter's Tyler Zawacki responding with a deep drive to right.
Shorter (2-0) took the lead in the fifth, capitalizing on a Thomas Schroeder RBI single and a balk to go up 4-3. The bottom of the sixth, however, proved to be the turning point. The Hawks erupted for 10 runs on five hits, highlighted by a Griffin Clark solo homer, a Will Fincher two-run double, a bases-loaded walk, and a grand slam from Zawacki that put the game out of reach.
On the Mound:
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Mason Bille took the loss for West Liberty, pitching one inning and allowing two runs on two hits.
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Tyler Skeen got the start, working four innings and giving up two runs on three hits while striking out three.
At the Plate:
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Despite the loss, West Liberty played clean defense, committing no errors, with Kam Jackson leading the way with five defensive chances.
What's Next?
The Hilltoppers will look to bounce back as they face Shorter University again on Saturday in another doubleheader starting at Noon.
