ELKINS, W.Va. – The West Liberty University baseball team earned a split on the road Saturday afternoon, taking game one before dropping a high-scoring second contest at Davis & Elkins.
Game 1: West Liberty 2, Davis & Elkins 0
West Liberty opened the day with a strong pitching performance and timely hitting to secure a 2-0 shutout victory.
John Thompson was dominant on the mound, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just six hits and striking out six to earn the win.
The Hilltoppers broke through in the second inning when Austin Wittreich delivered an RBI single, scoring Luke Foley for the game's first run. West Liberty added an insurance run in the fourth as Wittreich lifted a sacrifice fly to center, again bringing home Foley to make it 2-0.
Foley led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and scoring both runs, while Giacomo Dolce and Hunter White each added two hits. The Hilltoppers also turned two double plays defensively to back Thompson's effort.
Game 2: Davis & Elkins 9, West Liberty 8
West Liberty jumped out to an early lead in game two, but a big fourth inning by Davis & Elkins proved to be the difference in a 9-8 setback.
The Hilltoppers took control early, highlighted by a three-run home run from Luke Marsh in the second inning that gave West Liberty a 4-0 advantage. The lead grew to 5-0 before Davis & Elkins erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning to take a 9-5 lead.
West Liberty battled back, scoring once in the fifth and adding two more in the sixth on an RBI walk by Aaron Flowers and a hit-by-pitch from Wittreich to cut the deficit to 9-8. However, the Hilltoppers were unable to complete the comeback.
Marsh finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored, while Hunter White went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs. Wittreich and Seth Cover each added an RBI in the loss.
West Liberty continues their weekend road trip with a doubleheader at West Virginia Wesleyan Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.
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.
