FROSTBURG, Md. – The West Liberty University baseball team heads on the road this weekend for a pivotal Mountain East Conference North Division series against league-leading Frostburg State. The teams are scheduled for a four-game set at Bob Wells Field, with doubleheaders set for Friday (1 p.m./4 p.m.) and Saturday (1 p.m./4 p.m.).
West Liberty enters the weekend at 9-12 overall and 8-4 in MEC play, riding momentum after winning three of four games last weekend, including a doubleheader sweep of Concord. The Hilltoppers showed resilience in those wins, executing timely hitting and strong pitching in a pair of one-run victories.
The Hilltoppers' offense has been led by one of the top bats in the conference in Hunter White, who is hitting a team-best .413 with five home runs and 21 RBIs. White also leads the team in hits (31) and total bases (51), serving as the centerpiece of the lineup.
West Liberty has received consistent production throughout the order, with Giacomo Dolce (.300, 16 RBIs) and Luke Marsh (.290, 18 RBIs) providing run production, while Evan Tice (.316) adds stability near the top of the lineup. The Hilltoppers are hitting .278 as a team and have shown the ability to manufacture runs in key moments.
On the mound, senior right-hander John Thompson has anchored the rotation with a 4-2 record and a 3.60 ERA across a team-high 40.0 innings. Thompson has struck out 29 batters and will be a key piece in slowing down a potent Frostburg lineup. Seth Cover (3-1) also enters the weekend coming off a strong outing, while the bullpen has shown improvement in recent games with contributions from Garrett Comer and Andrew Benchich.
Frostburg State enters the series atop the MEC North standings with a 20-6 overall record and an impressive 11-1 mark in conference play. The Bobcats are currently riding a 12-game winning streak and have been dominant on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Frostburg is hitting .289 as a team, led by Jackson Schalick (.407, 4 HR, 29 RBI) and Jake Holler (.333, 4 HR, 29 RBI). The Bobcats feature a deep lineup that has produced 186 runs this season.
On the mound, Frostburg boasts one of the top pitching staffs in the conference with a 4.16 team ERA. Zach Dodson (2.78 ERA), Hunter Layhew (2.83 ERA), and John Smith (2.75 ERA) headline a rotation that has limited opponents to a .230 batting average.
Frostburg State has held the edge in recent meetings, winning eight of the last 10 matchups between the two programs. The Hilltoppers did earn a win in last year's series and will look to carry that momentum into this weekend as they try to close the gap in the division standings.
First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday at Bob Wells 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.
