MORGANTOWN, W.Va. —Fairmont State University flexed its offensive firepower and buried West Virginia Wesleyan, 25-1, Tuesday afternoon at Dale Miller Field.
The Fighting Falcons (15-11, 9-3 MEC) exploded for 20 runs over the first three innings, including a nine-run second and an 11-run third, turning the contest into a formality before fans could settle into their seats. Fairmont finished with 21 hits and 23 RBIs in a comprehensive dismantling of the Bobcats (5-18, 2-8 MEC).
Catcher Tyler Haskins led the charge, going 3-for-6 with 4 RBIs, including a three-run homer in the third inning. He was just one of several Falcons to go deep. Quintn Smith, Gage Bibey, Caleb Cottle, and Gunner Riley each hit home runs as well.
Riley’s performance was especially noteworthy. The second baseman finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the sixth and a double earlier in the game. Cameron Moore also had a huge day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two doubles.
Fairmont’s offense was not only potent but deep — 12 different players recorded hits, and five had multi-RBI games. The team also demonstrated discipline, drawing five walks and being hit by pitch three times.
While the offense stole the headlines, Fairmont’s pitching staff was quietly efficient. Starter Evan McDade tossed three shutout innings, allowing just three hits and striking out one. Isaac VanMeter earned the win with a clean fourth inning, and three relievers — Dylan Gongola, Will Hunt, and Cam Manns — combined to close out the game, allowing only one run and one walk over the final four frames.
The only blemish on an otherwise flawless outing came in the bottom of the seventh, when Ilich Purcell doubled and later scored on a wild pitch to prevent the shutout.
The Bobcats were outmatched from the first pitch. Starter Eli Brogan lasted just 2.1 innings and was tagged for 15 earned runs on 10 hits. His ERA took a considerable hit as Fairmont State hitters found barrel after barrel. Wesleyan cycled through six pitchers in total, but none could stem the bleeding.
At the plate, West Virginia Wesleyan managed only four hits, with no player recording more than one. Purcell’s double was the lone extra-base hit, and the team grounded into two double plays while striking out three times. Wesleyan also committed four errors, contributing to five unearned runs for Fairmont State.
