WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University baseball team returns home this weekend to open Mountain East Conference play with a four-game series at Kovalick Field.

The Hilltoppers will host West Virginia State in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m., before welcoming Charleston for another doubleheader on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.

The weekend marks West Liberty's first conference action of the 2026 season and its first true home games of the year.

West Liberty enters the weekend led by a productive core in the middle of the lineup.

Hunter White has been the Hilltoppers' top offensive performer early in the season, batting .406 with 13 hits, two home runs, and six RBIs while posting a 1.169 OPS.

Aaron Flowers has also been a steady contributor, hitting .393 with nine runs scored and three doubles, while maintaining a .500 on-base percentage.

Freshman Evan Tice has provided another spark, batting .611 through his first five games with 11 hits and seven RBIs, while Seth Cover is hitting .444 with a home run and a team-best .778 slugging percentage.

As a team, the Hilltoppers are hitting .274 with 79 hits and 48 runs scored through their first nine games.

West Liberty will look for consistency from its pitching staff as conference play begins.

John Thompson leads the Hilltopper rotation with 20 innings pitched and 13 strikeouts, while Andrew Benchich has been one of the most effective bullpen arms, striking out 13 batters in eight innings.

West Virginia State enters the weekend with a 5-9 overall record and is coming off a competitive non-conference schedule. The Yellow Jackets recently won two of three games against Caldwell and split a series with Slippery Rock.

Charleston arrives with a 3-14 record, but the Golden Eagles have played a challenging early schedule and recently picked up a 10-6 victory over Shawnee State earlier this week.

First pitch of Saturday's doubleheader against West Virginia State is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Kovalick Field.






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.