INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State split a Saturday doubleheader against Salem University at Frank Loria Field, using a strong all-around effort to take Game 1 before dropping the nightcap despite multiple scoring opportunities.

In the opener, the Yellow Jackets pulled away late for a 5-1 victory behind timely hitting and a dominant outing from Brian Lingenfelter. After falling behind 1-0 in the third, WVSU responded in the fourth when Aidan Paulsen launched a two-run home run to give State the lead. The Jackets added an unearned run in the fifth before breaking things open in the seventh, highlighted by Angel Oquendo's two-run double. Paulsen and Oquendo each drove in two runs, while Brodie Guenther added two hits. Lingenfelter worked six strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits, and Hunter McSweeney closed it out as WVSU secured the win.

In Game 2, West Virginia State was unable to carry over the momentum, falling 4-0 despite collecting six hits. Salem jumped ahead early with a three-run first inning and never relinquished control. The Yellow Jackets threatened multiple times, including a bases-loaded situation in the second, but could not break through against Salem starter Jackson Thoma, who tossed over six scoreless innings. Garrett Wagoner, Angel Oquendo, and Nate Bittinger each recorded hits, and Ethan Spolarich added a double, but WVSU stranded key runners throughout the game. Salem added an insurance run in the fifth to seal the split.

Yellow Jackets take on Point Park University in a doubleheader tomorrow, March 29 at 1:30 PM.