SALISBURY, N.C. – The West Virginia State University baseball team played nationally-ranked No. 5 Catawba over the weekend and dropped all three games to the Indians. The Yellow Jackets suffered a 10-0 defeat on Saturday in the season opener. They showed the most promise in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday which ended 15-9 in favor of Catawba. The second game of the twin bill was more lopsided as the Indians claimed it by nine runs, 10-1.

West Virginia State's next game is the home opener versus Bluefield State on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

Game 1: Catawba 10, West Virginia State 0, F/9

Scoring Summary

Catawba scored two runs in the second inning, one run in the third inning, three runs in the fifth inning, and four runs in the seventh inning.

West Virginia State left six runners on base.

On the Mound

Catawba's starting pitcher threw 5.1 innings and gave up just four hits for the win. Three relievers for the Indians were unhittable as they each pitched an inning to ensure the shutout.

Freshman Dane Peterson came into the game in the bottom of the eighth and allowed only one hit in a scoreless half inning.

At the Plate

Hits: Harrison (1), Martin (1), Christian (1), Hunt (1)

On the Basepaths

Stolen Bases: Harrison (1)

In the Field

RF Hunt: 5 PO

Game 2: Catawba 15, West Virginia State 9, F/9

Scoring Summary

The Indians started the scoring with two runs in the second inning, two runs in the third inning, and one run in the fourth inning to go up 5-0.

The Yellow Jackets cut the deficit to two runs, 5-3, in the top of the fifth. Back-to-back walks put runners on first and second base for Antonio Brown who singled to left field and scored a baserunner, 5-1. Cole Kiddy knocked in the next run with a single to left center, 5-2. Andrew Stone put the third run on the scoreboard for West Virginia State with a single to right field that brought home Brown.

Catawba didn't take long to halt West Virginia State's comeback. The Indians scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth and four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 15-3 lead.

Matthew Kline did his best to bring the Yellow Jackets back with a couple swings of his bat. He belted a two-run homerun to left center in the eighth inning and followed it up with grand slam in the top of the ninth to give the game its final score, 15-9.

On the Mound

Catawba's Bryan Ketchie was awarded the win, while senior Jacob Bradley was awarded the loss. All six pitchers in the game, three from each team, were responsible for at least two earned runs.

At the Plate:

Matthew Kline: 2-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R

Andrew Stone: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

On the Basepaths:

Matt Harrison: 2 BB, 2 R

In the Field:

2B Austin Martin: 4 A, 2 PO

SS Christopher Jordan: 4 PO, 2 A

Game 3: Catawba 10, West Virginia State 1, F/7

Scoring Summary

Catawba scored two runs in the second inning and seven runs in the third inning to go ahead 9-0 early on.

West Virginia State scored its one run in the top of the sixth with a trio of base knocks. Andrew Stone, Matt Harrison, and Antonio Brown singled in that order to get a run across.

The Indians put one more run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth.

On the Mound

Freshman Nick Loftis put together a solid three innings of relief in which he gave up one hit and sat down four batters.

At the Plate:

Andrew Stone: 2-4, 1 R

On the Basepaths:

LOB: 6

In the Field:

2B Austin Martin: 3 A, 2 PO

SS Christopher Jordan: 4 A, 1 PO