CANTON, Ohio – West Liberty's baseball team put together one of its most complete performances of the young season in the opener before Malone responded in the nightcap, as the Hilltoppers split Saturday's doubleheader at Thurman Munson Stadium.
West Liberty (1-7) rolled to a 12-2 victory in Game 1 before falling 8-4 in Game 2 against the Pioneers (7-1).
Game 1: West Liberty 12, Malone 2
The Hilltoppers erupted for 12 runs on 15 hits and played error-free baseball behind a strong outing from John Thompson to secure the win in the opener.
West Liberty struck quickly in the first inning. Hunter White singled through the right side to drive in Giacomo Dolce, and Evan Tice followed with an RBI single to center to make it 2-0. Malone answered with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half, but that would be as close as the Pioneers would get until the final inning.
The Hilltoppers broke the game open in the third with a five-run frame. Tice delivered again with an RBI single before Austin Wittreich ripped a two-run double down the left-field line. Dolce added an RBI triple to left-center, and Lucas Marsh capped the inning with a run-scoring single to push the lead to 7-1.
West Liberty continued to apply pressure in the fourth and sixth innings. Marsh lifted a sacrifice fly in the fourth, and the Hilltoppers plated four more in the sixth, highlighted by Marsh's two-run double and RBI singles from Dolce and Luke Marsh.
Tice led the offensive charge, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Dolce finished with two hits, including a triple, and drove in two. Aaron Flowers scored three times, while Luke Marsh collected two hits and two RBIs. Wittreich added a two-run double as part of the 15-hit attack.
On the mound, Thompson earned the win to move to 1-2 on the season, limiting Malone to two runs on seven hits over seven innings while striking out two. The Hilltoppers also turned a double play defensively and did not commit an error.
Game 2: Malone 8, West Liberty 4
The Hilltoppers carried momentum into the second game, but Malone used a big middle innings surge to salvage the split.
The Pioneers struck first with a solo home run in the opening inning, but West Liberty responded in the second when Brodee Latocha singled through the left side to plate Evan Tice and tie the game.
In the third, the Hilltoppers briefly seized control. Hunter White launched a solo home run to right field, and West Liberty added two more runs on an RBI walk by Luke Marsh and a run-scoring fielder's choice from Latocha to take a 4-1 advantage.
Malone chipped away in the third and then swung the game in the fourth and fifth innings. A pair of RBI plays in the fourth tied the contest at 4-4 before a four-run fifth inning — aided by timely hitting and a Hilltopper error — gave the Pioneers an 8-4 lead they would not relinquish.
Tice and Wittreich each had two hits in the nightcap, while White accounted for the home run and an RBI. Latocha drove in two runs.
Malone's bullpen proved decisive, as S. Coblentz tossed four shutout innings in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out seven to earn the win. Andrew Benchich was tagged with the loss after surrendering four runs in the fifth.
West Liberty will return to action March 10 at Ohio Dominican.
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.
