INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State entered Saturday's matchup at Cal Bailey Field looking to build momentum at 3-7 overall, while Caldwell came in having lost their first two. In a tightly contested nonconference battle, the Yellow Jackets delivered in the clutch, walking off the Cougars 2-1 for the third time in the series.

Caldwell struck first in the second inning on a solo home run to left, but West Virginia State answered in the third. Carter Ruffner worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position on Evan Weaver's sacrifice bunt before Michael Bittinger ripped a double to deep left, driving in the tying run. From there, it turned into a pitchers' duel. Jared Nethercutt gave up a run in the first, only to follow with six scoreless. Nethercutt threw seven full innings, giving up one run on four hits, sat down four batters on strikes, and allowed two free passes. William Clark bridged the gap in relief, and Trisdon Ciampanella received the win after closing the door late to keep the game even heading into the final frame.

In the ninth, West Virginia State seized the moment. Bittinger opened the inning with a single, and after Brodie Guenther's sacrifice bunt moved him into scoring position, Garrett Wagoner delivered the decisive blow. Wagoner lined a ball down the right-field line for a walk-off RBI single, scoring Bittinger from second and sending the Yellow Jackets off the field with a hard-fought victory. In a defensive matchup, the Jackets capitalized when it mattered most to secure the 2-1 triumph.

Yellow Jackets will not be at home again until March 17, but will look to keep the momentum rolling at Salem March 7.