INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Liberty capitalized on early miscues and timely hitting to claim a 7-3 win over West Virginia State in the first game of their Saturday doubleheader.
The Hilltoppers struck early, putting up five runs in the second inning. A fielding error allowed Connor Huzicka to cross the plate for the first run of the game, followed by a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch that brought in another unearned run. William Glick delivered the biggest blow of the inning, lacing a two-run double down the left field line. Two additional runs came home on the play due to a fielding miscue, giving West Liberty a commanding 5-0 lead.
Kobe Hill extended the lead in the fifth inning with an RBI double, scoring Will Balgo. Moments later, Noah Mildren added an RBI single to push the advantage to 7-0.
West Virginia State attempted a late comeback, getting on the board in the sixth with a groundout. In the seventh, Kyle Waters launched a solo home run to right field, and a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 7-3, but West Liberty's pitching held firm to secure the victory.
Ethan Conley (1-0) went the distance for the Hilltoppers, tossing a complete game while allowing three runs on nine hits, striking out six, and walking three over seven innings.
Hill led the West Liberty offense, going 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Glick added a two-run double, while Mildren, Balgo, and Talbert each contributed to the scoring.
Game 2
West Liberty capped off a successful doubleheader with an emphatic 11-1 victory over West Virginia State in Game 2 on Saturday, using a late offensive explosion to seal the win.
The Hilltoppers (9-2, 2-0) struck first in the second inning when Adam Och delivered an RBI single, bringing home Connor Huzicka for a 1-0 lead. West Virginia State responded in the bottom half, tying the game but that would be the only run the Yellow Jackets could muster.
West Liberty regained the lead in the fourth when Och came through again, singling to center field to score Will Balgo. Moments later, Kobe Hill added an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Hilltoppers continued to build momentum in the sixth inning when William Glick singled home Jacob Sherman to make it 4-1. The floodgates opened in the seventh as West Liberty erupted for seven runs. Noah Mildren's two-run single was followed by a three-run homer off the bat of Sherman. Balgo then capped the offensive outburst with a two-run blast to left-center, pushing the lead to 11-1.
Kristopher Skeen (2-1) was dominant on the mound, allowing just one run on six hits over 5.1 innings while striking out five. Drake Dobson finished the job in relief, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings.
Och led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Sherman and Balgo each launched home runs and combined for five RBIs. Glick, Hill, and Mildren also chipped in with key run-producing hits as part of West Liberty's 18-hit onslaught.
Up next the Toppers travel to Charleston to face the UC Golden Eagles in a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
