WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Indiana University of Pennsylvania dropped a 5-4 decision to West Liberty on Tuesday after the Hilltoppers rallied from an early four-run deficit to edge the Crimson Hawks in a non-conference baseball matchup.
IUP struck first in the third inning when Camden Rhude doubled to left field to score Cayden Bender and give the Crimson Hawks a 1-0 lead.
The Crimson Hawks added three more runs in the fourth inning. Johnathan Simpson scored on a wild pitch before Ricardo Aponte lined a two-run single to right field, bringing home Teague Hoover and Erik Rhodes for a 4-0 advantage.
West Liberty answered with five unanswered runs to complete the comeback, capitalizing on key opportunities in the middle innings while holding IUP scoreless the rest of the way.
Aponte finished with two RBIs and a stolen base for IUP, while Rhude added an RBI double. Hoover, Rhodes and Simpson each scored once.
On the mound, Anthony Alberty started for the Crimson Hawks and worked into the middle innings before turning things over to the bullpen. Addison Clymer provided relief as West Liberty chipped away at the lead. The Hilltoppers' staff settled in late, limiting IUP's offense after the fourth inning and preserving the one-run victory.
West Liberty's late rally erased IUP's early control as the Hilltoppers closed out the win at home.
