Institute, W. Va. -- West Virginia State defeated Slippery Rock 3-1 on Friday at Cal Bailey Field. The opening frame of the game came with no offense from either side. Slippery Rock took an early lead in the second inning when Jimmy Sadler doubled to drive in Michael Kitko. However, WVSU responded in the fourth inning with two runs, taking the lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Kyle Waters tripled and scored on a groundout by Brodie Guenther. Connor Fizer later doubled and came home on a single by Michael Bittinger, giving WVSU a 2-1 advantage. Both teams remained scoreless until the eighth inning.

WVSU added an insurance run in the eighth when Ethan Spolarich doubled and later scored on a sacrifice bunt by Carter Ruffner. Pitcher JT Fabian earned the win for WVSU, allowing one run on four hits over five innings, while Brandon Morrison secured the save with two scoreless innings.

Slippery Rock's Gage Gillott took the loss despite allowing just three hits over seven innings. WVSU will face Slippery Rock again on Saturday at noon.