BUCKHANNON — Glenville State University fended off a late push to defeat West Virginia Wesleyan, 6-2, on Monday afternoon at Hank Ellis Field in game on of a doubleheader.
The Pioneers wasted no time getting on the board, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. A fielding error, a single by Lance Minson, and a fielder’s choice RBI by Luke Sweigart set the tone before Zach Laurie grounded out to second to drive in another run, giving Glenville an early 2-0 advantage.
In the second and third innings, Austin Carter drew a two-out walk then Minson laced a double to right field, scoring Carte. In the third, a leadoff double from Carlos De Jesus set up another run-scoring opportunity, as Laurie again delivered with an RBI single.
On the mound, Trent Taylor (W, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) was efficient through five innings, holding the Bobcats scoreless until the sixth. Taylor was relieved by Jayden Helmick and Ashton Crace, who combined to close out the final two innings with minimal damage.
Wesleyan struggled to generate offense early but mounted a minor rally in the sixth inning. Grant Shumaker doubled to start the frame, later scoring on a single by Drew Jrolf, who himself advanced to third following an error and later scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 6-2. Despite their efforts, the Bobcats left six runners on base and were unable to string together the big hits they needed.
On the mound, Anthony Hernandez (L, 5.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER) took the loss for Wesleyan, with Austin Mann coming out of the bullpen to toss two strong innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out one.
Glenville State completed the sweep of the Bobcats, holding off a late charge to secure an 8-6 win in a back-and-forth second game at Hank Ellis Field.
Much like the opener, Glenville State jumped out early. Zac Bayor blasted a two-run homer to left field after a leadoff walk by Adam Bright to ignite a four-run second frame. The Pioneers added another unearned run in the third, with Quinn Lenamon delivering an RBI single and swiping a bag to help stretch the lead to 6-0.
But Wesleyan responded in the third and fourth innings to climb back into the contest. Grant Shumaker ripped a two-run single in the third after a walk and a hit-by-pitch helped set the table. In the fourth, a combination of small ball, plate discipline, and a key wild pitch allowed Wesleyan to plate three runs, closing the gap to just 6-5.
After both bullpens traded zeros in the fifth, Glenville tacked on what proved to be decisive insurance runs in the sixth inning. De Jesus singled home Carter, and Sweigart drove in another run with a groundout to push the score to 8-5.
Wesleyan made one final push in the seventh. Pinch-runner Preston Todd, after reaching on a walk, eventually scored on an RBI single by Issac Lough, but Crace came out of the bullpen and closed the door with a big strikeout to end the Bobcats’ rally hopes.
