WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University baseball team dropped both ends of a Saturday doubleheader to Fairmont State at Kovalick Field, falling 13-1 in game one and 6-2 in game two.
With the losses, the Hilltoppers move to 12-27 on the season while the Falcons improve to 18-24.
Game One: Fairmont State 13, West Liberty 1
Fairmont State wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for four runs in the opening inning on a grand slam by C. Cottle. The Falcons added two more in the second on a two-run homer from C. Moore to take a 6-0 lead.
The long ball continued to haunt West Liberty in the fourth inning, as B. Green launched a grand slam to push the advantage to 10-0.
West Liberty broke through in the bottom of the fourth when Luke Marsh singled to center, driving in Hunter White to make it 10-1.
Fairmont State answered with three more runs in the fifth to cap the scoring at 13-1.
Marsh led the Hilltoppers with an RBI, while White recorded a triple. Wyatt McClintock added a double as part of West Liberty's four-hit effort.
John Thompson took the loss on the mound, allowing 10 runs over four innings, while Andrew Benchich provided three innings of relief.
Game Two: Fairmont State 6, West Liberty 2
West Liberty grabbed an early lead in the opener of game two, as Hunter White doubled home Austin Wittreich in the first inning.
The Falcons responded with a three-run second inning, highlighted by a two-run single from C. Moore and an RBI double from B. Green to take a 3-1 lead.
The Hilltoppers cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third when Garrett Comer singled to bring home Luke Foley.
Fairmont State created separation in the sixth with a two-run single from T. Hughes and added an insurance run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by R. Bubb.
White paced the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Wittreich also collected a pair of hits. Comer drove in the Hilltoppers' second run.
Colby Conn was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs over five innings. Wyatt McClintock and Aaron Flowers combined to cover the final two innings.
West Liberty and Fairmont State will wrap up the four-game series Sunday, with first pitch 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.
