Tharp's Clutch Homer Countered by West Liberty's Walk-off

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WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. - Urbana freshman Dino Tharp delivered a clutch game-tying, two-run homer in the seventh to send Saturday's second game at West Liberty into extra innings. However, WLU's Chad Matthus added to the drama with a walk-off home run in the eighth as the Hilltoppers swept Urbana with final scores of 3-1 and 7-6.

//  GAME 1
West Liberty benefited from a pair of unearned runs in the third, which proved to be the difference. The Hilltoppers took a 3-0 lead in the fifth and then the Blue Knights could only get one run across in the final two frames.

UU worked the bases loaded in the seventh following a leadoff walk by Mickey Losey, but stranded three of its seven runners left on base.

The Blue Knights were outhit 5-3 in the pitcher's duel with Griffin Stevens, Briley Harlan and Justin Drennen recording singles. Stevens also reached twice via walk and scored the only run.

Right-hander Cole Weaver (2-4) was sharp on the mound, despite the tough loss. The freshman logged his second-highest strikeout total with six punchouts and didn't walk a batter in his second complete game.

WLU starter Paker Dyson (3-5) earned the win while reliever Luke Nees picked up his second save. Dyson is ranked second in the conference for most strikeouts, raising his season total to 63 after recording eight punchouts on Saturday.

//  GAME 2
In the second game, West Liberty again jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third and led 5-1 after five frames.

Freshman Tyler Dellerman notched a two-out single to get the Blue Knights on the board, and then Urbana rallied with three more in the sixth to get within a run. Three straight hits, including a single from Daniel Quiroz, a double by Stevens and an RBI single from Josh Hagans ignited the threat. Then, a two-out error by the Hilltoppers opened the door for two more runs to cross, making the score 5-4 West Liberty.

The host Hilltoppers plated another unearned run in the bottom of the sixth, setting the table for Tharp's heroics in the seventh.

The freshman third baseman, who entered the game as a pinch runner, stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat with two outs and deposited an 0-2 pitch off the scoreboard in center field.

After its revival, UU allowed the leadoff man to reach in the seventh on the team's third error. But, catcher Robbie Guerrero III back-picked the runner at first base to put out the fire.

The Blue Knights couldn't get anything going in the eighth, before Matthus ended the game in the home half. UU sophomore Tyler Bess took the loss on the mound while WLU's Ness earned the win after picking up the save in Game 1.

UU starter Dylan Whisman surrendered two earned runs in seven hits during 3.2 innings of work. Jackson Everman and Ryan Townsend kept the Blue Knights in the game with 3.1 shutout frames in relief.

//  UP NEXT
With games rained out on Sunday, Urbana and West Liberty will wrap up the four-game series on Monday afternoon.