West Liberty, W.Va. - The West Liberty University baseball team returns to the diamond this weekend for a four-game series against Malone University at Thurman Munson Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
West Liberty (0-4) looks to bounce back after opening the season against a challenging schedule, while Malone (4-0) enters the weekend unbeaten and coming off a sweep of West Virginia State.
The Hilltoppers have shown flashes offensively through four games, hitting .241 as a team with 32 hits and 13 runs scored. Hunter White has led the early charge, batting .500 (7-for-14) with a .588 on-base percentage. Aaron Flowers is hitting .400 with three walks, while Luke Foley has driven in two runs and recorded a pair of doubles.
West Liberty has also displayed patience at the plate with 19 walks in four games, but will look to cut down on strikeouts (43) and capitalize more consistently with runners on base.
On the mound, the Hilltoppers are seeking improved command and efficiency. Andrew Benchich has been a bright spot with nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings, while John Thompson has logged 10 innings over two starts. As a staff, West Liberty will focus on limiting free passes after issuing 39 walks in its first four contests.
Malone enters the series hitting .356 as a team with an impressive .577 slugging percentage. The Pioneers have scored 40 runs in four games and have 15 stolen bases in 18 attempts, applying constant pressure on opposing defenses.
Robert Gumino (.571), Zach Root (.500), and Rafe Bonifay (.500) headline a deep Malone lineup that features nine doubles, four triples, and two home runs.
On the mound, Malone has been dominant with a 2.25 team ERA and a .202 opponent batting average. Ayden Hall tossed a complete-game shutout in his first start, while Finn Schmitt (1.17 ERA) and Ben France (1.75 ERA) have also been sharp.
Recent meetings between the programs have produced competitive results in Canton. Last season, the teams split a neutral-site doubleheader, with West Liberty earning a 20-4 victory after dropping the opener 6-2. The Hilltoppers also picked up a pair of wins in Canton during the 2024 season (10-2 and 6-0).
First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. at Thurman Munson Stadium, with the series spanning four games across Friday & Saturday in Canton.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
