ETTRICK, Va. - - Host Virginia State University scored a non-conference doubleheader sweep of UVa-Wise Saturday. The Trojans claimed a 3-0 shutout in the opener before scoring five runs in their final two times at bat to win the finale 6-4.
Virginia State (8-4) received a complete game shutout from sophomore left-hander Jacob Wells in the opener. The Dinwidde, Va. product scattered six hits while striking out four and walking just one.
UVa-Wise (5-12) failed to generate any offense in the game as senior left-hander Nathan Hatmaker took the loss on the mound. Hatmaker surrendered three runs on five hits in five innings of work. The Harrogate, Tenn. product struck out five while walking four.
The Trojans got on the board in the third inning when Tashaun Tayler walked and later scored on a wild pitch.
Virginia State added single runs in the fifth and sixth frames as Jahleel Sewer and Jamar Hinton each had an RBI.
Freshman Nate Thompson led a six-hit effort for UVa-Wise by going 2-3 at the dish. Fellow freshman Joey Skov added a double, the only extra-base hit of the game for the Cavs in the loss.
Game two saw each school score a run in the first inning. The UVa-Wise run came when junior Stuart Paz singled in redshirt freshman Josh Haga.
Virginia State answered in the home half of the frame with a run of their own. Hinton capped a string of three consecutive two-out hits to score David Markins.
In the third inning, Paz produced his second RBI of the day when he doubled home freshman Jordan Turner.
The score would remain unchanged until the fifth when Markins gave Virginia State its first lead of the game on a two-RBI double. Markins double was precluded by a pair of walks.
Trailing 3-2, UVa-Wise tied the game when Paz singled and later scored on a triple by Thompson. It would be a missed opportunity for the Cavs as Thompson would be thrown out at home trying to score on a ground ball to the shortstop one batter later.
Virginia State put the game away with three runs in the six as Taylor lined a run-scoring hit before a two-out two-RBI single by Sisqo Scott made the score 6-3.
Hank Banner's team would put up a fight in its final trip to the bat rack as Haga walked to lead off the inning and later scored on a base hit by Paz to cut the lead to 6-4. It would be as close as the visitors would get as sophomore right-hander Jordan Claytor closed the door for the win.
Paz finished the game with a career-high four hits and three RBI while Haga finished 3-3 with two runs scored. UVa-Wise outhit Virginia State 12-8 in the loss.
The two teams will wrap up the three-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m.
