INSTITUTE, West Virginia  - After weather ended the last weekend's contests against Wheeling prematurely, Salem's baseball team was chomping at the bit to get back on the field this week. They found that chance down south when they headed down to West Virginia State for a one-off midweek contest against the Yellow Jackets. Salem controlled the contest most of the way, but a late Yellow Jacket rally stung the Tigers into a 7-6 loss. 

Salem opened up the game well. West Virginia State gave away a run when the Yellow Jackets walked Jacob Hurley in the first with the bases loaded. Luis Angarita then homered in the 2nd inning with Brett Ehr on base to add two more. After West Virginia State scored two in the third, Salem responded with a run off a passed ball for Brett Ehr in the 4th to extend the game. In the 5th, they extended the lead with another scoring play for Jacob Hurley when he scored on a Collin Curry groundout. West Virginia State battled back another run of their own in the 5th, and Salem responded in kind in the 7th on a Collin Curry RBI double to score Jacob Hurley yet again. However, a late rally from the Yellow Jackets gave them a walkoff win in the final inning, and the Tigers were sent away with a tough 7-6 loss. On the pitcher's mound, starter Jaryd Lund had a good showing with 6 strikeouts in 6 innings of work. Alden Halfinger and Travis Lavendier each made appearances in relief for the Tigers. 

While today did not go the Tiger's way, Salem will be back in action almost immediately as they are set to head up to Erie, Pennsylvania for a doubleheader rematch with Mercyhurst on March 16th at 1 PM.