ETTRICK, Va. – Virginia State nipped Saint Augustine's College 9-8 in the first game and 10-8 in the second game Tuesday of a CIAA baseball doubleheader at Colbert Field.

The Falcons (29-17, 14-4 CIAA) remain in first place ahead of Chowan (11-5 CIAA) with two conference games left.  They need only one win against Saint Paul's in an upcoming doubleheader to claim their second consecutive CIAA regular-season crown. The Falcons won the season series 3-1 against Chowan.

The Falcons lost to VSU despite combining for 19 hits in two games, but the Trojans (21-17, 11-7 CIAA) combined for 22 hits. Wayne Lewis led the Falcons with six RBIs on 6-for-8 hitting in two games including two doubles and a home run.

In the first game, the Trojans scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to hold on for the win. The Falcons scored a run in the top of the seventh inning but could get no closer. Daniel Cornett gained the win despite giving up 14 hits in seven innings, but he collected three RBIs. Rashad Ingram allowed 11 hits in six innings for the loss.

In the second game, the Falcons led 7-2 in the top of the third inning, but the Trojans scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game 8-8. The Trojans added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to get the victory. Joey Guy was the winning pitcher after allowing two hits in final three innings. Joe Pierce got the loss in relief after giving up three hits in two innings.