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West Virginia State University Athletics

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BB23 Loftis
Photo: Todd Griffith
6
Winner West Liberty WLU 5-10, 1-0 MEC
5
West Virginia St. WVSU 5-7, 0-1 MEC
Winner
West Liberty WLU
5-10, 1-0 MEC
6
Final
5
West Virginia St. WVSU
5-7, 0-1 MEC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
West Liberty WLU 0 0 0 0 4 1 1 6 8 2
West Virginia St. WVSU 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 7 0

W: Justin Pennybacker (1-3) L: Conis, Foster (1-1) S: Trevor Thomas (2)

2
West Liberty WLU 5-11, 1-1 MEC
3
Winner West Virginia St. WVSU 6-7, 1-1 MEC
West Liberty WLU
5-11, 1-1 MEC
2
Final
3
West Virginia St. WVSU
6-7, 1-1 MEC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
West Liberty WLU 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 3 0
West Virginia St. WVSU 0 0 0 0 0 3 X 3 3 1

W: Loftis, Nick (2-3) L: Ian Brady (1-3)

Game Recap: Baseball | | James Garcia, Sports Information Director

Baseball splits with West Liberty in conference opener

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University baseball team (6-7, 1-1 MEC) split a doubleheader with West Liberty (5-11, 1-1 MEC) on Saturday afternoon at Cal Bailey Field. The Yellow Jackets were edged in the first game, 6-5, before coming back to win the second game, 3-2.

Game 1: West Liberty 6, West Virginia State 5, Final/7

State went up early with four runs in the bottom of the first. Kyle Waters drew a walk before Ryan Kay homered to left center, 2-0. Mike Huber then doubled to left field later in the half inning to score Tyler Overaitis from second base, 3-0. Nathan Paulsen ended up bringing Huber home with a single up the middle, 4-0.

Overaitis drove in Waters from second in the bottom of the fourth to tack on another run, 5-0.

Starting pitcher Colin Bryant threw a one-hitter through four innings before West Liberty's bats came to life in the top of the fifth. The Hilltoppers led off the inning with back-to-back singles before hitting a homerun, 5-3. After giving up another single, Bryant made way for Tyrus Baumgardner with no outs. Baumgardner was able to get out of the half inning with only one run allowed on a sacrifice fly, 5-4.

The Hilltoppers tied the score in the top of the sixth with an RBI-single, 5-5. In the top of the seventh, they took the lead with a solo homerun, 6-5.

In the bottom of the seventh, the side was retired in order by West Lib's closer.

Game 2: West Virginia State 3, West Liberty 2, Final/7

Both starting pitchers only allowed three hits in the second game of the afternoon. 

Senior hurler Nick Loftis hit all his spots except for one. He gave up a two-run homerun in the top of the third, but recovered immediately with three-straight outs. He struck out five with only one base on balls in a complete game performance.

Loftis continued to deal despite facing a similar situation to his last start, where he pitched well but added a loss to his record due to lack of run support. After giving up the homerun, he only allowed two more baserunners for the rest of the game on a walk and a single in separate innings.

His relentless effort paid off in the bottom of the sixth. After two quick outs, Kay walked to first base. Overaitis then singled up the middle to move Kay over to third. Connor Fizer was up next to play the hero once again. He launched a monster shot just left of dead center to give his team the lead, 3-2.

In the top of the seventh, Loftis was left in the game to finish what he started. He struck out the first batter before rushing to first base to make a play on a ground ball to William Glick at first. A pinch hitter was able to single through the right side of the infield next. Nevertheless, Loftis forced another ground ball to second baseman Michael Bittinger for the final out of the contest.

Up Next

The Yellow Jackets will play another doubleheader on Monday, March 20th when Wheeling comes to Cal Bailey Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

 
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