Box Score MURFREESBORO- The Chowan University baseball team dropped a pair of nonconference games to West Liberty University on Saturday afternoon.  The Hawks move to 2-3 on the season with the losses while West Liberty starts the season 2-0. 

The Hawks dropped a 3-1 decision in the opening game and fell 6-4 in the nightcap after a 12-inning affair. 

In the top of the first, an error by West Liberty allowed Tyler Burden to score.  Evan Hart held West Liberty scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when DJ Busby hit a three-run homerun.  The Hawks out-hit the Hilltoppers 7-5 in the contest but were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities and suffered the 3-1 loss. 

Evan Hart took the loss on the mound while Mark Smyth picked up the win for the Hilltoppers.  Tyler Burden paced the Hawks with two hits in the loss while Busby and Jon-Michael Brunner notched two hits apiece for West Liberty. 

In the nightcap the Hilltoppers took a two-run lead in the top of the third and held onto the advantage until the bottom of the fifth when Aaron Flanagan drilled a solo homerun to center field, making the score 2-1. 

In the top of the sixth, a West Liberty's Busby was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Tim Hughes scored on a passed ball to extend the Hilltoppers' lead to 4-1. 

Marvin Harrell Jr.'s double down the left field line gave the Hawks an additional run in the bottom of the seventh inning.  The Hawks used a passed ball and Will Gurganus' RBI triple to right field knotted the score 4-4, forcing extra innings. 

In the top of the twelfth, a failed pick-off attempt led to an RBI double by Vincent Maddox to give West Liberty a 5-4 lead.  Michael Adams added an RBI single to send the Hilltoppers ahead 6-4. 

Chowan was unable to answer back offensively in their half of the frame and suffered the 6-4 setback.  Bailey Lipscomb took the loss on the mound after 2.1 innings of work.  Cody Smith, Bobby Mason, Tre Harper and Burden all made appearances on the mound for the Hawks. 

Gurganus had three hits in the loss while Aaron Flanagan added two hits for the Blue and White.  Haddox led the effort for West Liberty with three hits in the nightcap.Mike Reef earned the win for the Hilltoppers on the mound. 

The Hawks complete the series against West Liberty on Sunday in a doubleheader match-up.  First pitch is slated for 12:00pm.