NUTTER FORT, W.Va. – The Salem University baseball team split a Sunday doubleheader with West Virginia Wesleyan at Frank Loria Memorial Field. The Tigers dropped a 10-inning battle in the opener before rallying late to claim a 3–2 walk-off victory in the nightcap.
Game 1: West Virginia Wesleyan 6, Salem 5 (10 innings)
Salem jumped out to an early lead in the third inning as Cody Thomas delivered an RBI single before Reese Rinna followed with a two-run double to give the Tigers a 3–0 advantage.
West Virginia Wesleyan responded in the fifth inning with a two-run home run from Dylan Neach to cut the deficit to 3–2. Salem answered in the bottom half of the inning, scoring twice as Chase Clemons drove in a run with a single and another run scored on a throwing error to push the lead to 5–2.
The Bobcats rallied in the seventh inning, plating three runs to even the score at 5–5 and force extra innings.
The game remained tied until the tenth inning when Wesleyan pushed across the go-ahead run. Salem threatened in the bottom half after Clemons doubled, but the Tigers were unable to bring the tying run home as the Bobcats secured the 6–5 victory.
Rinna finished with two hits and two RBIs for Salem, while Clemons also recorded two hits and an RBI.
Game 2: Salem 3, West Virginia Wesleyan 2
The Bobcats struck first in game two with two runs in the opening inning, but Salem chipped away throughout the game. The Tigers got on the board in the fourth inning when Rinna lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Brandon Hoftijzer.
Salem pitching settled in after the early damage. Brandon Laudermilt worked into the fifth inning before Aiden Eddy came on in relief and delivered 2.2 strong innings, allowing just one hit while earning the win.
Trailing 2–1 entering the seventh inning, Salem mounted a late rally. Tyson Shumaker walked and advanced into scoring position before Joe Wintermute and Landon McAlpine both drew walks to load the bases. Thomas then delivered the decisive hit, lining a single to bring home two runs and give the Tigers a walk-off 3–2 victory.
Thomas led the Tigers with two hits and two RBIs, while Shumaker added a pair of hits and scored the winning run.
