INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State entered Saturday's doubleheader looking to build momentum after a 1-5 start, while Malone was at 2-0 having opened their season with yesterday's doubleheader. By day's end in Canton, Ohio, the Yellow Jackets (1-7) showed flashes of competitiveness but were undone by big innings as Malone improved to 4-0 with 10-0 and 12-1 victories.

In the opener, Malone broke things open with a seven-run third inning on the way to a 10-0 win. West Virginia State managed three hits, including a pair from C. Peschl, and put together competitive at-bats early, but the Jackets couldn't cash in. After trailing just 1-0 through two innings, WVSU ran into trouble in the third as Malone strung together extra-base hits and took advantage of defensive miscues. Despite the lopsided final, the Yellow Jackets' pitching settled in after the third, with H. McSweeney striking out five over 3.2 innings in relief to limit further damage and give the staff a steady outing out of the bullpen.

Game two followed a similar script, as Malone used a five-run first and a four-run second to seize control en route to a 12-1 decision. West Virginia State answered in the second when J. Painter doubled home G. Wagoner, and Wagoner and E. Spolarich each collected two hits as the Jackets totaled five in the nightcap. But Malone capitalized on 12 walks and hit batters to build its advantage. Even so, WVSU continued to compete late, putting runners aboard in multiple innings and getting a scoreless frame from B. Moore in relief, a small bright spot as the Jackets look to regroup heading into their next series.