BUCKHANNON – West Virginia Wesleyan opened its season at Hank Ellis Field in dominant fashion, securing an 8-2 victory over Georgian Court on Saturday afternoon. Behind a strong offensive showing and solid pitching from Hayden Eplin, the Bobcats took control in the middle innings and never looked back.
Georgian Court got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Christian Rieben was hit by a pitch and later came around to score on an RBI single from designated hitter Anthony Elliott, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. However, momentum was quickly stalled by base-running miscues, with two runners caught stealing in the first two innings.
After being held scoreless for the first three innings, Wesleyan exploded for three runs in the bottom of the fourth. A combination of patience at the plate and clutch hitting turned the game around. A leadoff walk by Garrett Shumaker set the stage for a game-changing sequence. With two runners aboard, a wild pitch allowed Shumaker to score and tie the game at 1-1. The Bobcats capitalized further with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch that forced in a run, followed by a groundout RBI from Ethan Fraley, giving Wesleyan a 3-1 advantage.
Georgian Court responded with a run in the top of the fifth, as Tyrese Tamargo doubled and later scored on a groundout from Luis Rodriguez to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, that would be the last time the Lions crossed the plate.
The Bobcats quickly regained control in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of a defensive miscue. A fielding error allowed Alex Smith to score, extending Wesleyan’s lead to 4-2. The Bobcats put the game out of reach in the seventh with a three-run outburst, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Grant Smith and an RBI knock from Fraley, pushing the score to 7-2.
Wesleyan’s pitching staff set the tone after the early hiccup. Starter Garrett Swift pitched two innings, allowing one run on three hits before handing the ball to Hayden Eplin. Eplin was exceptional, tossing seven innings of one-run baseball, striking out four while scattering five hits. He kept the Georgian Court hitters off balance, inducing plenty of weak contact and ground ball outs.
Meanwhile, Georgian Court’s bullpen struggled. Reliever Jose Cabezudo failed to record an out in the fourth inning, surrendering three runs on just one hit and three walks. Brandon Parks provided some stability with four innings of relief, but the damage had already been done.
Wesleyan added its final run in the bottom of the eighth, as Jace Tilton singled and came around to score on a base hit from catcher Trevor Poteat. Georgian Court had no answers in the ninth, as Eplin shut the door to seal the victory.
The Bobcats outhit the Lions 11-8 and played clean defensively, committing zero errors. Smith led the offensive charge for Wesleyan, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored, while Poteat and Fraley each drove in multiple runs.
Georgian Court, despite tallying eight hits, couldn’t string together enough timely offense. Elliott and Tamargo were bright spots, each recording two hits, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Bobcats’ offensive surge.
Wesleyan continues with a pair of home doubleheaders next weekend. Saturday, Mar. 15, the Bobcats hosts its first conference game against Point Park University. Sunday, Salem University visits Hank Ellis Field. Both doubleheaders begin at 1 p.m.
