Washington, Pa. – The West Liberty University baseball team dropped the opening game of Sunday's doubleheader to Point Park University, 6-0, at EQT Ballpark.

The Hilltoppers held the Pioneers scoreless through the first four innings behind starter Chase Lautner, who racked up six strikeouts through 4.2 innings of work. But Point Park broke things open in the fifth, plating six runs behind a pair of home runs, including a grand slam from catcher Joseph Pilewski.

West Liberty's offense was held in check by Point Park starter Ramon Rodriguez, who tossed six shutout innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out six. Reliever Samuel Georgiana closed out the seventh to seal the combined shutout.

Offensively, the Hilltoppers scattered four hits, with Jacob Sherman, Ryan Talbert, Will Balgo, and Noah Mildren each collecting one. Talbert and Balgo both reached scoring position, but West Liberty couldn't capitalize, stranding four runners on base.

Ryan Clark was solid in relief, striking out three and allowing just one hit over 1.1 scoreless innings.

The loss drops Chase Lautner to 1-4 on the season.

Game 2 

 West Liberty (19-20, 9-11) rebounded in a big way in Game Two of Sunday's doubleheader, erupting for 16 hits and powering past Point Park 9-4 before the game was called early due to a field issue at EQT Ballpark.

The Hilltoppers trailed 2-0 heading into the bottom of the third but quickly flipped the script with a five-run outburst. Jacob Sherman sparked the rally with an RBI single, followed by run-scoring hits from Ryan Talbert, Connor Huzicka, and Adam Och to give West Liberty a 4-2 lead. Talbert wasn't done, lacing a two-run single in the fourth to stretch the advantage to 6-4 after Point Park briefly tied it in the top of the third.

West Liberty tacked on three more runs over the fifth and sixth innings, with Kobe Hill, Huzicka, and Luke Marsh each driving in runs to put the game out of reach. Huzicka and Marsh each had two RBI, while Talbert led all hitters with three.

Jacob Watson picked up the win on the mound, improving to 4-3 on the season after going five solid innings. He scattered six hits and struck out three, working around some early trouble to keep the Pioneers in check.

The game was called in the top of the seventh due to issues with the playing surface, and the result was finalized with West Liberty securing the win.

Up next the Toppers visit Slippery Rock Wednesday at 3 p.m.