SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – A big fourth inning by Shepherd University proved too much for West Liberty to overcome, as the Hilltoppers fell 14-3 in the opening game of their doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon.
West Liberty (0-1) got on the board first in the top of the second inning when Luke Marsh delivered an RBI single to left field, bringing Connor Huzicka home for a 1-0 lead. However, Shepherd (1-0) responded immediately in the bottom half of the frame, tying the game with an RBI single from Nathaniel Brookshire.
The Rams took control in the third, plating four runs to seize a 5-1 advantage.
West Liberty showed resilience in the fourth, as Noah Mildren ripped a two-run single to right field, scoring K. Hill and Huzicka to cut the deficit to 5-3. But Shepherd's offense erupted in the bottom of the frame, tallying nine runs to put the game out of reach. The big blow was a grand slam from Aidan Greaney.
West Liberty tallied just six total hits, Huzicka led the Hilltopper offense with two runs scored and a stolen base, while Mildren recorded two RBIs.
Game 2
West Liberty battled but ultimately fell short in Game Two against Shepherd, dropping a 10-5 decision on the road.
The Hilltoppers struck first in the opening inning when Jacob Sherman scored on a fielder's choice by William Glick to take an early 1-0 lead. Shepherd responded in the second tying the game at 1-1.
Shepherd took control in the third and fourth innings, adding three more runs to go up 4-1. West Liberty clawed back in the fifth when Noah Mildren tripled to bring home Kameron Jackson, followed by a groundout RBI from Sherman to make it a one-run game at 4-3.
However, Shepherd broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, scoring six runs behind key hits from Nathaniel Brookshire and Jake Fix, pushing the lead to 10-3. Ryan Talbert drove in two runs for WLU in the seventh, but the comeback fell short.
On the mound, Connor Chancey (0-2) took the loss, while Riley Morgan (1-0) earned the win for Shepherd.
West Liberty finished with four hits, including an extra-base hit from Mildren (triple) and Talbert (double). Shepherd capitalized on six hits and 10 walks to secure the win.
Next up the Hilltoppers visit Clarion Sunday for a doubleheader.
