WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty Hilltoppers used a strong offensive performance and a key fourth-inning rally to claim a 10-8 victory over Davis & Elkins in the first game of their doubleheader on Saturday.
The Senators struck first in the opening inning, however, West Liberty responded swiftly in the bottom half, as William Glick and Will Balgo each launched solo home runs to put the Hilltoppers ahead 2-1.
Davis & Elkins continued to battle, scoring in each of the next three innings. A sacrifice fly from Kyle Thomas in the second and an RBI double play groundout in the third put the Senators back on top 3-2. Glick answered for West Liberty in the bottom of the third with his second solo homer of the game, tying things up at 3-3.
Inthe fourth inning West Liberty defensive miscues allowed D&E to plate three unearned runs to put the Senators ahead 6-3.
West Liberty responded with a surge in the bottom of the frame. Adam Och doubled home a run, Luke Marsh lifted a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one, and Noah Mildren followed with another sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6. The Hilltoppers took their first lead of the afternoon when Ryan Talbert singled in a run, and another throwing error allowed the go-ahead run to score, making it 7-6.
The Hilltoppers added insurance runs in the fifth inning, with Kobe Hill's sacrifice fly and a two-run single from Mildren extending their lead to 10-6.
Reliever Tanner Pelaez closed the door to secure the win, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four over 3.2 innings.
West Liberty finished with nine hits, led by Glick's two-homer effort, while Balgo, Och, and Mildren also contributed key RBIs.
Game 2
West Liberty came up short in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Davis & Elkins, falling 8-4 after a big fourth inning from the visiting Senators.
Davis & Elkins took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, West Liberty responded in the second inning, starting with Jacob Sherman's RBI groundout to bring home Adam Och. Ryan Talbert then delivered a clutch two-run double to center field, giving the Hilltoppers a 3-2 lead.
The Senators regained control in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a series of defensive miscues and timely hits, the six-run inning extended their lead to 8-3.
West Liberty managed to push across a run in the fifth when Kameron Jackson reached on an error, allowing Connor Huzicka to score. However, the Hilltoppers couldn't mount a late rally, as the Senators' bullpen held firm.
Jacob Watson (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season, surrendering eight runs (six earned) over 4.1 innings. Brady Harmon was strong in relief for WLU, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Talbert led the Hilltoppers' offense with a two-run double, while Huzicka added a hit and a run scored.
