Institute, W. Va. -- West Virginia State edged Davis & Elkins 2-1 in the opening game of Monday's doubleheader at Harpertown Field. After being held scoreless through three innings, the Yellow Jackets broke through in the fourth when Nathan Paulsen singled and later scored on a double from Connor Fizer. WVSU added a second run in the sixth when Paulsen again reached base and was driven in by a single from Brodie Guenther. Ayden Hodges pitched five shutout innings to earn the win, striking out five and allowing four hits. Riley Vadasz recorded the final two outs to pick up the save.

Davis & Elkins threatened late, scoring one run in the seventh after Kyle Probst singled and later scored on a hit from Jayson Walters. However, the Senators left the tying run on second base. WVSU totaled six hits in the game, led by two from Paulsen, who also stole a base. Fizer added a double and an RBI. Davis & Elkins matched WVSU's hit total but could not capitalize, stranding six runners.

West Virginia State completed the four-game series sweep with a dominant 16-5 win in game two. After a scoreless start, WVSU broke through with two runs in the third, five more in the fourth, and added three in the fifth to take a commanding lead. Brodie Guenther led the offense with a three-for-four performance, driving in five runs, while Kyle Waters went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI. Ethyn Barnitz also contributed two hits, two walks, and two RBIs. The Yellow Jackets tallied 14 hits and stole four bases, while six different players drove in runs.

Davis & Elkins responded with two runs in the fourth and three more in the sixth to cut the deficit, but WVSU's six-run seventh inning put the game out of reach. The Yellow Jackets capitalized on eight hits, eight walks, and two Senator errors. Starter Jared Nethercutt threw 3.2 innings before Hunter McSweeney earned the win in relief, pitching two innings. WVSU turned two double plays defensively and held Davis & Elkins to just one hit over the final frame to close out the series.

The Yellow Jackets will finish their regular season next weekend with a home-and-home series against the University of Charleston. Saturday, May 3, WVSU will host a doubleheader with the Golden Eagles followed by two games at UC Sunday, May 4.