Box Score
BECKLEY, W. Va. – Third baseman
Ryan Johnston hit two home runs while pitchers
Ryan Weatherholtz and
Chris Baker combined to give up just one run over nine innings as the Concord University baseball team started the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament with a 5-1 win over West Liberty Wednesday.
Johnston's two home runs, his ninth and 10th of the season, came in back-to-back innings in the seventh and eighth with his first breaking up a 0-0 tie. For the day, Johnston was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Weatherholtz threw seven strong innings, striking out three batters before turning the game over to Baker in the eighth inning with a runner on first and no outs. The Hilltoppers managed to tie the game off of an error before Baker was able to get CU out of the inning.
However, the Mountain Lions' offense answered back with four runs in the eighth inning. Sophomore second baseman
Jerrod Groves, who led off the inning with a hit, scored off of a double by freshman outfielder
Andrew Seigel for the go-ahead run.
Seigel would score later in the inning thanks to an RBI-single from senior
Jacob Mays. Johnston then proceeded to make it a 5-1 game when he sent his second ball of the game over the outfield fence.
Baker got three straight outs in the ninth to pick up the win for Concord. The victory was Baker's seventh of the season.
Concord will be back in action 3:30 p.m. Thursday against the winner of Seton Hill and Charleston.
