WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The Davis & Elkins College baseball team earned a split in Saturday's Mountain East Conference doubleheader at West Liberty, falling 10-8 in a back-and-forth Game One, then bouncing back in Game Two to win 8-4 at Kovalick Field.
Game 1: D&E 8, WLU 10
Despite a season-high eight runs and a barrage of extra-base hits, the team came up just short in the opening game.
The Senators tallied 11 hits, including six doubles and two triples, and scored in six of seven innings. However, the Hilltoppers (12-10, 4-2 MEC) capitalized on three home runs and a four-run fourth inning to hold off the late push from D&E.
Freshman shortstop Joseph De la Nuez sparked the offense, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored. Senior right fielder Larry Kusan added two RBI triples and scored once, while sophomore third baseman Jett Walters went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI.
Trailing 7-4 after four innings, the Senators chipped away, scoring in the sixth and seventh to close the gap. But West Liberty's three-run fifth — aided by a hit-by-pitch, two walks, and a sacrifice fly — ultimately provided the necessary cushion.
Ethan Marshall started on the mound for D&E, surrendering seven runs (six earned) over 3.2 innings. Cooper Blackburn and Chase George provided brief relief, and senior Malakai Webb closed the game with 1.2 scoreless innings.
Game 2: D&E 8 , WLU 4
A six-run fourth inning propelled the team to an 8-4 victory over West Liberty in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader at Kovalick Field, securing their first conference win of the season.
The Senators (2-17, 1-3 MEC) opened the scoring with two runs in the first and blew the game open in the fourth, sending 10 batters to the plate. Mason Brenneman delivered a two-run triple, while Zach Calef-Boring added a two-run single as part of the outburst.
Freshman Joseph De la Nuez continued his strong day at the plate, going 1-for-3 with an RBI double and two runs scored. Calef-Boring finished 2-for-4 with a game-high two RBIs, and Grant Mealey added a double and scored once.
On the mound, Diego Reyes earned the win, tossing five solid innings. The freshman right-hander allowed three earned runs on three hits, striking out two and walking three. Bryce Hines and Isaac Lane each tossed a scoreless inning of relief to close out the game.
The Hilltoppers (12-10, 4-2 MEC) managed just five hits but took advantage of three hit batters and three D&E errors to stay within striking distance. West Liberty scored three in the second and added one in the fifth but couldn't claw back from the early deficit.
Up Next
D&E travels to Wheeling, W. Va. to take on the WU Cardinals in a conference doubleheader on Sunday, March 23.
