BLUEFIELD – The West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats unleashed a relentless offensive attack in game one of a two-game set Wednesday afternoon, piling up 12 hits and capitalizing on defensive miscues to secure a dominant 10-2 win over Bluefield State University at Bowen Field.
The Bobcats wasted no time jumping on Bluefield starter Benny Fiens. Jack Tilton sparked the offense with a leadoff single, later scoring on a groundout by Drew Jrolf. A passed ball and a clutch RBI single from Josh Ayala gave Wesleyan an early 3-0 cushion.
Tilton went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBIs, a stolen base, and a sacrifice fly. He consistently pressured the defense, capitalizing on Bluefield State’s failed pickoff attempts and fielding errors.
Second baseman Grant Shumaker delivered one of his finest outings of the season, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs, and two runs scored. His two-run double in the fifth inning extended the Bobcats’ lead to 7-1, effectively breaking the game open.
Jrolf added a pair of RBIs, going 1-for-2 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Left fielder Malik Wood also made an impact, reaching base twice and scoring twice while swiping a base in the seventh to help set up a late three-run rally.
Drake Long earned the win with four strong innings on the mound, holding State to one run on two hits while striking out five. Austin Mann entered in relief and recorded the save, throwing three effective innings, scattering six hits but allowing just one run with one strikeout and no walks.
Bluefield State’s Angel Martinez and Colton Roberts each notched multi-hit games, with Martinez driving in a run in the fifth and Roberts adding an RBI single. However, the team struggled to cash in on opportunities, stranding eight runners and committing two costly errors.
Wesleyan stormed back with a five-run eighth inning and held off a ninth-inning surge to edge Bluefield 8-7, and secure the doubleheader sweep.
Trailing 6-2 entering the top of the eighth, the Bobcats roared back against a fatigued Bluefield bullpen. Josh Ayala sparked the rally with a single and stolen base. Isaac Lough and Alex Smith both reached to load the bases before catcher Jamison Smith delivered a two-run fielder’s choice, narrowing the deficit to 6-4.
An error and a sacrifice fly brought the score to 6-5, and Jack Tilton delivered the decisive blow—a two-run double to the gap in left center to give Wesleyan a 7-6 lead. Tilton finished the game 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs, continuing his standout day at the plate after a strong Game One performance.
Drew Jrolf remained clutch for the Bobcats, going 2-for-5 with an RBI and a ninth-inning leadoff double that set up the go-ahead run. Lough added a sacrifice fly in the ninth to cap the scoring at 8-7, and Smith contributed two RBIs despite not recording a hit.
Wesleyan produced just eight hits but made the most of Bluefield State’s four errors and nine free passes (three HBPs, six walks).
Bluefield State outhit the Bobcats 12-8 and led for much of the game thanks to a balanced attack. Left fielder Anderson Moreno had a monster day, going 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Tyson Mickie also chipped in with two hits, three runs, and a stolen base.
The Big Blues built leads of 4-2 and 6-2 with help from RBIs by Nick Diaz, Colton Roberts, and K. Rodriguez, but defensive miscues in the late innings proved costly.
Thatcher Poteat, who caught Game One, transitioned to the mound for the final two innings and earned the win. He allowed one run on three hits while striking out three. The decisive moment came in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on third, when Poteat struck out James Germosen to end the game and seal the win.
Illich Purcell started the game for Wesleyan but struggled with command, allowing four runs and five walks in just 3.2 innings. Relievers Davis Weppler and Landon Wilder stabilized the game until Poteat closed it out. Jackson Harless took the loss for State after giving up the go-ahead runs in relief of Will Austin, who pitched into the eighth.
