BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan baseball team swept the first two games of a four-game series with rival Davis & Elkins Friday. The Bobcats used a comeback in the first game, scoring six unanswered runs to win 6-5 and dominating the second game, 6-1. The offense was alive all day, recording 21 hits between the two games.

Game 1
The Senators opened up the scoring with an RBI single up the middle after the Bobcat defense had an error to allow the runner to get on. D&E added to their run total just two batters later as a single up the gut scored two to make it 3-0. Another error in the top of the 2nd gave D&E a chance to score more runs, putting runners at first and third. Broderick Rohrbaugh got out of it, batting down a line drive right at him and tossing it to first.

Wesleyan used a walk and error to get a runner in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the 2nd but consecutive flyouts halted the scoring chance. In the top of the 3rd, Davis & Elkins had two-straight singles that turned into another run on a throw to third that got away. The Senators extended their lead once again in the top of the 4th, making it 5-0. WVWC cut into the lead in the bottom half of the 4th, loading the bases with no outs and plating consecutive runs on a sac fly from Ian Donohoe and a single to right by Logan Roop. A double play ended the inning for the ‘Cats.

In the bottom of the 6th, a wild pitch and RBI single from Luke Burner cut the lead to just 5-4 for the Senators. With Rohrbaugh holding D&E scoreless in the top of the 7th, the Bobcats were down to their last three outs in the bottom of the 7th and trailed by one. It didn’t take long for Devin Johnson to tie the game up, blasting a solo shot to left-center. The Bobcats had an opportunity to walk it off as Thatcher Poteat got to third with one out but would be left stranded.

Austin Mann pitched the 8th, holding the game at 5-5. Luke Burner led the bottom of the 8th with a single and advanced to second on a weak grounder by Sam Ingram. Jack Tilton walked it off, sending a liner to the left-center field gap to give the Bobcats a 6-5 win.

Aydin Zimmerman, Cole Hitch and Wesley Athey all finished the game with two hits with Athey also adding 2 RBI to his performance. Matthew Colon took the loss after coming in relief, allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits and a walk.

Five different Bobcats recorded an RBI while Jack Tilton, Devin Johnson and Cole Shearer finished with two hits. Luke Burner’s three hits led the offense. Broderick Rohrbaugh pitched seven innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and one walk. Austin Mann picked up the win after pitching a scoreless 8th inning.

Game 2
After no offense to start the first inning and a half, the Bobcat bats produced two runs on an RBI double from Dharyl Moon and a grounder in the infield that plated Cole Shearer. The Senators answered with a run in the top of the 3rd, using an error by the Bobcats to extend the inning and plate one on a single up the middle.

Sam Ingram singled and stole a pair of bases to get in scoring position, scoring on a Cole Shearer single through the left side. In the same play, Devin Johnson scored on a errant throw over the third baseman’s head. Matthew Neach then brought Shearer home with a single to right, making it 5-1 after three innings. Jack Tilton extended the Wesleyan lead in the bottom of the 4th, singling Luke Burner in after he was HBP.

Hunter Eplin continued his dominance throughout the remainder of the game, setting the Senator lineup down in order in both the 6th and 7th inning, securing the doubleheader sweep for the Bobcats.
D&E had just two hits off of Eplin and Gavin Hartman had the lone RBI with a hit as well. Jake Spearen was handed the loss, going four innings and allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks.

Sam Ingram, Jack Tilton and Matthew Neach all recored two hits and Cole Shearer led the team with 2 RBI. Four other Bobcats finished with an RBI. Hunter Eplin pitched a gem, giving up a run (unearned) on just two hits while striking out eight.

Up Next For The Bobcats
Wesleyan finishes the season up at Davis & Elkins on Sunday with the games starting at 1 and 3:30 p.m.