Institute, W. Va. -- West Virginia State opened up conference baseball with a doubleheader against the West Liberty Hilltoppers. The first game was scoreless in the first inning. In the second inning, West Liberty scored five runs after a single, two doubles and a hit-by-pitch that drove in a run. The third and fourth innings were scoreless, and West Liberty added two runs in the fifth inning on timely hits that further extended their lead.

West Virginia State put together a late response by scoring one run in the sixth inning on a Connor Fizer single, followed by a Nathan Paulsen double, and a groundout from Charlie McGuinness that produced an RBI. Added two runs in the seventh inning on a Kyle Waters home run and a Connor Fizer sacrifice fly. West Virginia State finished with three runs, falling 7‑3.

In the second game of the doubleheader, both sides started scoreless in the first. In the second inning, West Liberty took a 1‑0 lead when a double by Huzicka and a single by Och produced an RBI; West Virginia State tied the score in the bottom half after an RBI single from Carter Ruffner, unfortunately being the Yellow Jackets only run in game two of the doubleheader. The third inning was scoreless, followed by two more added on in the fourth. West Liberty added another run after an RBI single from William Glick.

The decisive action came in the seventh inning when West Liberty scored seven runs. A double by Och, a single by Hill and advances on errors set the stage for a three-run home run by Sherman and a two-run home run by Balgo. West Virginia State was held scoreless in the bottom half of the inning as the final tally reached 11‑1 in favor of West Liberty. West Virginia State will look to regroup as it prepares for its next game at 1:00 p.m. on tomorrow against the Wheeling University Cardinals.