WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The Fairmont State University baseball team faced off against West Liberty University in a Mountain East Conference doubleheader. The Falcons were able to capture game one in extra innings, 4-3, before rallying in game two for a 14-8 win.

Game One: Fairmont State 4, West Liberty 3

Both teams left runners on base in the first two innings before Fairmont State broke the scoreless tie. In the third, the bases were loaded for Quintin Reep who doubled down the left field line to bring home Noah Canterbury and Cameron Sheets. West Liberty responded in the bottom half as two runs scored on a hit by pitch and a wild pitch to even the game at two.

In the top of the sixth, Zach Brennan gave the Falcons the lead once more with a sacrifice fly to left as Cameron Hines tagged from third. Just like the third, the Hilltoppers quickly tied the game at three with an RBI single up the middle.

FSU was able to have runners on the corners with one out in the seventh but were unable to drive in a run. West Liberty had a runner reach base on a hit by pitch but was stranded on first as the game ventured to extra innings.

In the eighth, Reep drew a walk followed by a sacrifice bunt by Vince Sabatino to advance the runner. Following an out and a walk, Ryan Goff stepped up and singled up the middle as Reep raced home and scored to put the visitors back in front, 4-3.

The hosts put a runner on with an out but Evan McDade forced the final two outs to secure the game one win. Goff finished 3-5 with the game winning RBI as McDade earned the win, pitching 2.2 innings in relief.

Game Two: Fairmont State 14, West Liberty 8

West Liberty was able to capture the early lead in the first with a home run to right field. Fairmont State had a chance to tie the game in the third when Sabatino led the inning off with a triple to left center. Unfortunately a line out and two ground balls ended the frame.

Moving to the fifth inning, the Falcons did not squander a bases loaded opportunity as Cameron Moore singled down the right field line as Sabatino and Tyler Haskins scored. Quintin Smith followed with an RBI hit of his own as he drove in Zach Brennan. The next at-bat, Noah Canterbury cleared the bases with a three-run homer over the right field wall as FSU led 6-1.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Hilltoppers countered with six runs of their own on five hits. A two-run homer and an RBI triple paced the way for the hosts as they regained the lead, 7-6.

Keeping the offensive momentum going, FSU tied the game on a Noah Canterbury walk as Brennan crossed home. Moore then scored on a passed ball. After a walk, Reep dove a ball down to left field as Canterbury and Goff scored. 

Still in the top of the sixth, Haskins joined in and singled to score Sheets. Brennan, who already batted in the frame, stepped back in the box and punched a ball through the left side with Reep and Haskins stepping on home to cap off a seven-run inning. The Falcons led 13-7 going to the seventh.

Fairmont State added a run in the final inning as Sheets drew a walk with the bases loaded to double up the hosts, 14-7. Down to its final three outs, West Liberty was able to have runners on with one out. A passed ball moved the runners 90 feet but strike out put the Hilltoppers down to their final out. Another passed ball allowed a run to score but after a walk, Nick George got the final out on a strike three call for the win.

Brennan was 3-4 from the plate with two runs batted and scored twice. Between the two games, the Falcons scored 11 of its 18 runs with two outs.

Fairmont State returns to West Liberty to face the Hilltoppers for the final two games of the series on Sunday, April 28. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.