BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan Baseball team dropped a heartbreaker to Salem at Hank Ellis Field this evening 9-8. The Bobcats were able to gather nine hits but had three costly errors. The Tigers also had problems on the defensive side, racking up four errors.

Anthony Hernandez was in an early jam, loading the bases with two outs in the top of the 1^st. He was able to get out of the inning with a strikeout, leaving all three runners stranded. An error from the shortstop and double down the left field line set the stage for Devin Johnson. He capitalized, hitting a sac fly to right to score the first run of the game. On the next batter, Thatcher Poteat dribbled one to the pitcher that was able to plate another run, giving the Bobcats a 2-0 lead after an inning of play.

A pair of walks and errors loaded the bases for Devin Johnson who drove two runs in with a hard-hit single down the left field line. Thacher Poteat hit a deep single to center to make it 5-0. The bats stayed hot through the lineup as Matthew Neach was able to land a blooper over the third baseman's head for a 2-run single. The Tigers were finally able to close the Bobcats out after surrendering five runs in the bottom of the 3^rd with WVWC leading 7-0.

Salem loaded the bases once again in the top of the 5^th with two outs, scoring consecutive runs on a walk and ripping a bases clearing double down the left field line to cut it two. On the next play, the Tigers would score once again on an RBI single through the left side of the infield. An errant throw to second that bounced off the runner into the outfield tied the game at seven with the Bobcats getting out of the inning with a strikeout. The Tigers had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 6^th putting a runner in scoring position but Kyle Hightower sent Salem back to the dugout with nothing on a strikeout.

Luke Burner led the bottom of the 6^th with a single and got all the way to third on a wild pitch but was left stranded on a flyout to center. The Tigers had a one out double that proved to be key as a wild pitch and weak dribbler to short gave Salem their first lead of the game at 8-7. In the bottom of the 7^th, Devin Johnson led the inning off with a double over the right fielder's head. With two outs, Matthew Neach was able to get a softly hit ball to drop in center to tie the game up again. The Tigers did the unprobeable in the top of the 8^th, stealing home to regain the lead.

Wesleyan led the bottom of the 8^th with a hit by Alex Rodriguez and a walk by Sam Ingram. Three consecutive outs ended the inning. The Bobcats went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9^th as Salem took the 9-8 win.

Tyler Shinn led the Salem offense with 4 RBI while three other Tigers picked up an RBI. Four different pitchers took the mound for Salem as Travis Lavendier picked up the win, going 2.1 innings and only giving up one hit and striking out two. Tyler Sammons started the game but was ran off after 2+ innings, surrendering seven runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks.

Devin Johnson and Matthew Neach both had 3 RBI apiece with Johnson going 3-4 at the plate. Anthony Hernandez started the game, going four innings and only giving up one hit and walking two. Johnny Kirkpatrick took the loss after 1.2 innings of work, giving up one run (unearned) with two strikeouts.

Up Next For The Bobcats
Wesleyan goes to Nutter Fort tomorrow to take on Salem with first pitch at 2 p.m.