WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University baseball team split a Mountain East Conference doubleheader with Fairmont State on Sunday afternoon, earning a 5-3 win in game one before falling 7-4 in the nightcap at Kovalick Field.

The Hilltoppers move to 14-28 on the season following the split.

Game One: West Liberty 5, Fairmont State 3

West Liberty made the most of its opportunities in the opener, using three home runs and strong pitching to secure the victory despite being out-hit 9-4.

Austin Wittreich set the tone early with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first to give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead. After Fairmont State tied the game in the third, Garrett Comer responded with a solo shot of his own to put WLU back in front.

The Falcons evened things again in the fourth on a solo homer from Aidan Loucks, but West Liberty answered in the bottom half. Aaron Flowers delivered a sacrifice fly to score Hunter White, and Luke Foley later crossed the plate on a wild pitch to make it 4-2.

Fairmont State cut the deficit to one in the fifth, but White provided insurance in the sixth with a solo home run to push the lead to 5-3.

Seth Cover (4-4) earned the win on the mound, tossing six innings while allowing three runs on eight hits. Garrett Comer closed the door in the seventh, striking out two to earn his second save of the season.

Game Two: Fairmont State 7, West Liberty 4

Fairmont State jumped out early in game two and held off a late push from the Hilltoppers to salvage the split.

The Falcons plated three runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Brenden Green, and added to their lead in the fifth and sixth innings to build a 7-2 advantage.

West Liberty chipped away throughout the game, beginning with a sacrifice fly from Hunter White in the third. Luke Foley added another RBI on a sac fly in the fifth, and White drove in a run with a single in the sixth.

The Hilltoppers continued to battle in the seventh, as Evan Tice delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-4, but Fairmont State was able to close it out.

West Liberty outhit the Falcons 11-10 in the contest, with Giacomo Dolce leading the way with two hits and three runs scored. Wittreich and Garrett Comer each added two hits, while White drove in two runs.

West Liberty will return to action on Tuesday as the Hilltoppers host IUP in a non-conference matchup at Kovalick Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 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.