INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State dropped both ends of a road doubleheader against Concord on Sunday, battling offensively in the opener before a tight pitcher's duel in the nightcap slipped away late.

In Game 1, West Virginia State managed five hits and showed flashes of offensive production, but a big first inning from Concord proved too much to overcome in a 10-2 loss. The Yellow Jackets broke through in the third inning as Avery Contreras and Baylee Smith delivered back-to-back doubles, with Smith driving in a run before Autumn Hall added a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 5-2. Cassidy Cummings and Gianna Sloan-Lebron each reached base multiple times to pace the offense, but Concord answered with four runs in the bottom of the third to put the game out of reach. Despite a steadier effort in the circle from Adrianna Green in relief, the early deficit proved decisive.

Game 2 turned into a much tighter contest, with West Virginia State leaning on a strong complete-game effort from Kaleigh Murphy, who allowed just two hits across six innings. The Yellow Jackets threatened at times, highlighted by a two-hit performance from Gianna Sloan-Lebron, but were unable to push a run across against Concord's Reghan Hintz. The lone run came in the bottom of the sixth when Concord capitalized on a walk and a sacrifice to bring in the game's only score. West Virginia State went quietly in the seventh, dropping a hard-fought 1-0 decision to close the doubleheader.

The Yellow Jackets will take on cross-town rival Charleston on Wednesday, March 25 at 4:00 PM at UC Softball Field.