GLENVILLE, W. Va. - Glenville State Pioneer Baseball returned home for the first time in two weeks earlier today for an afternoon slate against the visiting Hilltoppers of West Liberty. The action saw a split between the two squads, with West Liberty taking game one, 6-2, and GSU nabbing game two, 4-0, for their first conference win. The results of the day rest the Hilltoppers at (15-12) overall on the year while the Pioneers now sit at (12-14).
Game One - GSU 2 I West Liberty 6
The visitors got the action going quickly, scoring their first run in the top of the first on a fielder's choice. It wouldn't take long for a response from the Pioneers with
Austin Carter sending
Carlos De Jesus home on a double in the second inning. After two innings of stifled offense, GSU would take a 2-1 lead via a
Colby Guy single that brought
Lance Minson to paydirt. However, the 6
th inning would prove fruitful in favor of West Liberty, who plated three to gain a 4-2 lead. The defense of the Hilltoppers held GSU scoreless the remainder of the game with two insurance runs being plated in the top of the 7
th to give a 6-2 final count in favor of West Liberty.
Final Stats
West Liberty
Connor Huzicka carried the torch offensively for the visitors with three RBIs and a double while William Glick and Adam Och recorded the rest of the RBIs for the Hilltoppers. Ryan Talbert was a key piece of the attack as well with two hits, including a double and scoring two runs. Ethan Conley received the win on the day, striking out four in five innings pitched.
Glenville State
Austin Carter was the pace setter for the Pioneer scoring attack with a double and an RBI as well as another additional hit for two in game one.
Colby Guy had the other RBI and reached by walk as well while
Lance Minson was a problem on the basepaths with two steals. The Pioneers utilized four pitchers with
Grant Landis seeing the bulk of the action with 5.1 innings pitched.
Game Two - GSU 4 I West Liberty 0
The second round of action saw the Pioneers play lights out on all fronts and stuff the Hilltopper offense to pull their first shutout of the 2025 season. However, it was not without a fight, as things would remain deadlocked at 0 in a heated defensive battle. The 6
th inning would be the difference maker with
Lance Minson coming home on a wild pitch and putting the Pioneers ahead 1-0. This kickstarted an offensive avalanche with
Adam Bright recording his 2
nd home run of the year and bringing home two more to give GSU a 4-0 advantage entering the final frame. The Pioneer pitching staff showed no signs of giving up any ground, again sending the Hilltopper batters back to the dugout and securing a 4-0 victory.
Final Stats
West Liberty
The Hilltoppers only recorded a pair of baserunners in game two with Lucas Marsh recording their lone hit and Will Balgo reaching by a walk. Jacob Watson picked up his second loss of the year, striking out five in 5.1 innings on the bump.
Glenville State
Bright recorded three RBIs via a homer to right field and reaching by a hit by pitch as well in the outing.
Carlos De Jesus was the only multi-hit batter for GSU, additionally having the only extra baser with a double. Minson proved again to be an issue for the Hilltopper catching staff, with another stolen base and scoring a run on a wild pitch. Three pitchers threw in the game with
Cameron Byers taking the win for his second in 2025. Grady Cole got the start and struck out four in five innings pitched.
Up Next For The Pioneers
Glenville State Baseball will rest up tonight for another doubleheader tomorrow (Mar. 30) afternoon, taking on the visiting Wheeling Cardinals. Game one is set for a first pitch of 1 p.m.
