WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University baseball team closed out the 2026 season on Sunday by splitting a Senior Day doubleheader with Wheeling at Kovalick Field, falling 8-6 in the opener before rallying for an 8-5 victory in the finale.
The Hilltoppers finish the season at 15-31 overall.
Game One: Wheeling 8, West Liberty 6
West Liberty carried a lead into the late innings, but Wheeling used a big ninth inning to erase the deficit and take the opener.
The Hilltoppers jumped out early, scoring in the first on an RBI single from Luke Marsh. They added two more in the third and another in the fifth, building a 4-0 advantage behind timely hitting and steady pitching.
Marsh led the offense with two hits and four RBIs, while Luke Foley added three hits. Austin Wittreich scored three runs and Hunter White drove in a run.
Wheeling chipped away with runs in the sixth and seventh before erupting for four runs in the ninth to take the lead. West Liberty responded with two runs in the bottom half, but the comeback fell short.
Game Two: West Liberty 8, Wheeling 5
The Hilltoppers bounced back in the nightcap, using a five-run middle inning surge to secure the win and earn the split.
Trailing 5-1 entering the fifth, West Liberty erupted for four runs to tie the game. Hunter White delivered an RBI single, Luke Marsh followed with a two-run single, and the Hilltoppers capitalized on a pair of Wheeling errors to even the score.
West Liberty took control in the sixth, plating three more runs. White added another RBI single, a wild pitch brought home a run, and Marsh capped the scoring with an RBI after being hit by a pitch.
White finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Marsh drove in three runs. Austin Wittreich recorded three hits and scored twice, and Luke Foley crossed the plate twice in the win.
On the mound, Joey Shaffstall earned the victory in relief, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings to close out the game.
West Liberty honored its senior class prior to the doubleheader,JR Harrison, Luke Marsh, Joey Shaffstall, Brady Harman, Mason Bille and Luke Foley, closing the season on a high note with a comeback win in front of the home crowd.
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.
