Institute, W. Va. -- Slippery Rock defeated West Virginia State 8-1 on Saturday at Cal Bailey Field to tie the three-game series at 1-1. Slippery Rock took an early lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Stone Powell. They added three runs in the third by way of back-to-back jacks by Treston Nemeth and Gage Gillott.

West Virginia State scored its only run in the bottom of the third when Aidan Paulsen came home on a fielder's choice by Tyler Overaitis. Slippery Rock extended its lead in the fifth on a three-run home run by Gillott, his second of the day. They added another run in the sixth on a first and third play leading to a WVSU throwing error.

Nate Malak pitched six innings for Slippery Rock, allowing one run on two hits while striking out eight. Mark Wilbur earned the save with three scoreless innings. WVSU starter Zane Loveday took the loss, surrendering four runs in 3.2 innings. Karson Frye finished the game on the mound for the Yellow Jackets with three scoreless, as well as hitless, innings.

West Virginia State struggled offensively, managing four hits and striking out 14 times. Slippery Rock finished with seven hits, including three from Gillott. Yellow Jackets will look to bounce back and take the series in game 3 tomorrow at noon, at Cal Bailey Field.