INDIANA, Pa. – The West Liberty University baseball team split a Wednesday doubleheader at Indiana (Pa.), falling 5-4 in the opener before bouncing back with a 10-8 victory in game two.
The split moves the Hilltoppers to 10-18 on the season.
Game 1: Indiana (Pa.) 5, West Liberty 4
West Liberty rallied from an early deficit but came up just short in a tightly contested opener.
Indiana (Pa.) struck first with a three-run second inning, using a bases-clearing double to take control early. The Crimson Hawks added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to maintain their lead.
The Hilltoppers broke through in the fourth when Austin Wittreich delivered an RBI single to score Hunter White, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
West Liberty surged ahead in the fifth inning behind a big swing from White, who blasted a three-run home run to tie the game at 4-4.
Indiana (Pa.) answered in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on a wild pitch to plate what proved to be the game-winning run.
White led the offense, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Lucas Marsh added two hits and a run, while Wittreich drove in a run.
On the mound, Aaron Flowers worked the first four innings, striking out four, while Colby Conn tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
Game 2: West Liberty 10, Indiana (Pa.) 8
The Hilltoppers responded in a big way in game two, using a six-run sixth inning to erase a four-run deficit and secure the split.
West Liberty struck first in the opening inning on an RBI single from Luke Foley, but Indiana (Pa.) answered with a six-run third inning to take a 7-3 lead.
Trailing 7-3, the Hilltoppers mounted their comeback in the sixth. Lucas Marsh ignited the rally with a two-run home run, and the offense continued to pour it on with timely hitting and aggressive baserunning.
Wittreich delivered a key two-run single in the inning, while Wyatt McClintock added an RBI as West Liberty scored six runs to take a 9-7 lead.
After Indiana (Pa.) trimmed the deficit to one, White provided insurance in the seventh with an RBI double.
West Liberty tallied 11 hits in the win, led by Foley's three-hit performance. White reached base five times, going 2-for-2 with three walks, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Marsh scored three times and drove in two, while Wittreich added two hits and two RBIs.
On the mound, Andrew Benchich earned the win in relief, allowing just one run over three innings. Chandler Maurice closed the door in the seventh to pick up the save.
West Liberty returns home this weekend to host Point Park in a four-game series 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.
