INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University baseball team put up six runs in the third on its way to a 9-3 victory over Bluefield State on Wednesday afternoon at Shawnee Sports Complex. West Virginia State's offense in the tide-turning inning was led by Austin Martin, Antonio Brown, Cole Kiddy, Andrew Stone, and Christopher Jordan, who all sent runners across the plate.

West Virginia State (1-3) handed Bluefield State (5-1) its first loss of the season while picking up its first win.

The Yellow Jackets opened up scoring in the second inning when Brett Christian singled up the middle to score Martin. Andrew Stone followed up with a double on a 1-0 count, scoring Trey Junkins.

West Virginia State then took the lead for good with six runs in the third inning. In the third Martin grounded out, scoring one run, Brown singled on a 3-1 count, scoring one run, Kiddy singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run, Stone doubled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run, and Jordan singled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run. Three of the six runs scored in the bottom of the third came with two outs to give WVSU a five-run lead, 8-3.

The Yellow Jackets added one more run to their total in the bottom of the eighth when Shane Taylor doubled to left field, scoring Jordan.

Dane Peterson was the winning pitcher for West Virginia State. He went two and a third innings, allowing zero runs on one hit and striking out four. Andrew Stone and Matt Harrison entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game. Both Stone and Harrison were unhittable in a combined four innings of relief.  

Caden Carpenter took the loss for the Big Blues. He surrendered four runs on six hits over two innings, striking out three.

Michael Stone started the game for West Virginia State. He lasted two and two-thirds innings, allowing six hits and three runs while striking out one and walking one.

The Yellow Jackets saw the ball well, racking up 15 hits in the game. Jordan, Kiddy, Stone, and Christian all managed multiple hits. Jordan led West Virginia State with three hits in four at bats. West Virginia State didn't commit a single error in the field. Andrew Massey had the most chances in the field with eight.

Kevon Moxey went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Bluefield State in hits.

The Yellow Jackets will play two games tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 21, at Shawnee Sports Complex. They start with Saginaw Valley State at noon and finish with Illinois-Springfield as soon as the first game concludes.