INSTITUTE, West Virginia- Coming off a four-game home stretch, the Salem Tigers baseball team hit the road for their next four games. The Tigers headed south on I-79 for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader against the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets. Salem was able to split the day against West Virginia State taking game 1 but falling in game 2.

Salem 6, West Virginia State 0
In game 1, Sam Schmitt had the start on the mound for Salem. Luis Angarita would earn a rbi after he grounded out to first in the top of the 2^nd inning. Reese Rinna would score the run. Aidan McMurdo would keep that momentum rolling when he hit a rbi single to left field, which scored Ryder Costs. The Tigers continued to build on a huge 2^nd inning once Jose Lojo hit a rbi single knocking in 2 more runs. Max Atkinson and Joe Wintermute scored on the play. After the 2^nd, the Tigers had an early 4-0 lead over the Yellow Jackets. Schmitt done his job on the mound by holding the Jackets to just 1 hit through 5 innings. In the top of the 6^th, Aidan McMurdo would score after an error by the Yellow Jackets. Moments later, Rinna would reach base getting hit by a pitch. Rinna earned the rbi and Lojo scored on the play. Salem now led 6-0 as we headed into the final inning. West Virginia State had one more chance and were able to get their second hit of the day. Fortunately, Schmitt would close things out as Salem would cruise to the 6-0 victory.

West Virginia State 7, Salem 6
In game 2, it would be Jackson Thoma on getting the start at pitcher for the Tigers. The Yellow Jackets got out in front early after a rbi double in the bottom of the 1^st and a single led to 2 more runs. After the 1^st inning, the Yellow Jackets now led 3-0. Unfortunately, the Jackets would extend their lead even more in the bottom of the 2^nd after a rbi single. Salem needed to get the bats going to stay in this one. Fortunately, in the top of the 4^th Aidan McMurdo hit a rbi single to get the Tigers first run of the game. Jose Lojo would get hit by pitch leading to another run for the Tigers. The next at bat, Hunter Rose would get on with a walk with the bases loaded. Alex Harper continued the inning with a rbi single that led to 2 more runs. However, the Tigers weren't done in the 4^th when Reese Rinna hit a rbi single leading to the Tigers sixth run of the inning. Salem now held a 6-4 lead after the impressive 4^th inning. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets would strike back in the bottom of the 5^th with 3 runs of their own. Going into the 7^th inning, West Virginia State now held a 7-6 lead. The Tigers were able to get a couple of hits, but West Virginia State would prevail to the 7-6 victory.

After today's doubleheader, the Tigers will now prepare for their next contest which occurs tomorrow. The Tigers will travel to the state's capital for an afternoon match up against the University of Charleston.