INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Fairmont State University (10-7) split their doubleheader against West Virginia State University (7-13) on Saturday at Cal Bailey Field, securing a 4-2 victory in the first game before falling in a close contest, 4-3, in the second.
Game 1: Fairmont State 4, West Virginia State 2
The Falcons capitalized on the Yellow Jackets' two errors and drew 10 walks to pull away in the later innings. The Yellow Jackets took an early lead in the second inning with a sacrifice fly by Nate Bittinger that brought home Ethan Spolarich, ending the inning at 1-0.
In the fourth inning, the Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 2-0 with a solo home run by Ethyn Barnitz. However, the Falcons responded in the fifth inning:
Reilly Bubb scored on a bases-loaded walk by
Cameron Moore, and a wild pitch allowed
Bryont Green to cross the plate, tying the game at 2-2.
Fairmont State took the lead in the sixth inning with
Cam Cole scoring on a throwing error, followed by Bubb scoring on a single from Green. The Falcons led 4-2 after the sixth inning.
Micah Canterbury shut down the Yellow Jackets over the final two innings, allowing just one hit.
Canterbury delivered a complete game, pitching 7 innings and allowing 6 hits and 2 earned runs, achieving 4 strikeouts while issuing 3 walks, throwing a total of 99 pitches with 63 strikes.
Bubb stood out with two runs scored, two walks, and a stolen base, while Green collected two hits, drove in one run, and added a stolen base to his performance. Cole reached base with a hit and scored once, successfully converting two of three stolen base attempts.
Game 2: West Virginia State 4, Fairmont State 3
In the second game, Fairmont State scored all its runs in the third inning, highlighted by a home run, but could not hold the lead as West Virginia State rallied with three runs in the seventh inning to secure the win.
The Falcons took an early lead in the third inning when
Gunner Riley homered to deep right field for the first run.
Connor Bailey walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by
Cam Cole, followed by
Reilly Bubb being hit by a pitch. A wild pitch advanced both runners, setting up
TJ Hughes to hit a single to right field, driving in Bailey and Bubb, which put the Falcons ahead 3-0 after the top of the third inning.
West Virginia State responded in the bottom of the fourth with a single by Angel Oquendo and a double by Garrett Wagoner. Nate Bittinger then singled to left field, scoring Oquendo and narrowing the gap to 3-1.
The decisive seventh inning saw the Falcons' lead disappear. Nate Bittinger walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Carter Ruffner's single moved Bittinger to third. A pinch runner, Preston Keiffer, stole second before Bittinger doubled, scoring both runners.
Aidan Paulsen reached on a fielder's choice, and a subsequent throwing error allowed Bittinger to advance to third. Angel Oquendo's walk-off single secured the victory for the Yellow Jackets, ending the game at 4-3.
Connor Tingler delivered a strong performance for the Falcons, pitching 6 innings while allowing just 1 earned run on 5 hits. He struck out 7 batters, walked 1, and threw 99 pitches, with 61 of them being strikes.
Isaac Van Meter faced more challenges in relief, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits in just 2/3 inning, while walking 1 and striking out 1.
TJ Hughes collected two hits and drove in two runs in the second game, while
Gunner Riley contributed a solo home run.
Connor Bailey reached base three times, scoring one run and adding two walks.
Fairmont State makes the short trip from Institute to Charleston to face the University of Charleston on Sunday, March 22. The doubleheader is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.
