WVU moves to 2-0 in their season-long series with Marshall. They went to Huntington and won epically, 5-4. Their final game against Marshall will be in Charleston on April 30 at GoMart Ballpark. The Mountaineers move to 31-4 on the season and extend their winning streak to 11 games. They also improve to 19-1 on the road this season. The Mountaineers’ next game is on Thursday as they begin a three-game home series with Cincinnati. Read more: WVU Steals Home for Thrilling 5-4 Win Over Marshall.
Recap: WVU Steals Home for Thrilling 5-4 Win Over Marshall
The first inning saw one hit for Marshall, but they left him stranded thanks to a good start from David Hagen. WVU capitalized on an error to start the second inning. Jace Rinehart reached on a throwing error by the shortstop Maika Niu and advanced to second. Chase Swain was hit by a pitch two batters later with one out. Grant Hussey knocked them in with a double to right center. Swain’s speed on the bases was pivotal in scoring an early run.
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Hagen started to have trouble at the bottom of the second. He gave up a single to Tyler Kamerer to start the inning. He walked Elijah Vogelsong to put men on first and second with no outs. Catcher Nolan Wilson laid down a sacrifice bunt, which turned into a run due to a throwing error by the pitcher Hagen. Kamerer scored, and the runners advanced to third and second, with no outs. Third baseman Eddie Leon laid down another sacrifice bunt, which scored Vogelsong from third. Hagen got out of the inning, but the game was tied 2-2.
Kenyon Collins replaced Peyton Jackson on the mound for Marshall to start the third inning and got three quick outs. Hagen got two quick outs but loaded the bases before being replaced by Benjamin Hudson. Hudson got the final out as Marshall left three on base. Marshall continued to put runners on the bases in the fourth. Right fielder Jackson Halter singled to right field and recorded an RBI as Cam Harthan scored from second. Reese Bassinger replaced Hudson on the mound following the run and got out of the inning.
WVU finally got a baserunner in the fifth inning after having eight consecutive outs but left two on base. Marshall scored another run in the bottom of the fifth to make it 4-2. Nolan Wilson and Joel Gardner hit back-to-back doubles down the left-field line. Mac Stiffler replaced Bassinger in the bottom of the sixth and threw 2.1 scoreless innings, only allowing two baserunners. He and Carson Estridge combined to pitch a shutout in the final four innings, which was crucial in this victory.
The seventh inning was crucial for the Mountaineers. Chase Swain doubled to start the inning and scored on a one-out single from Brodie Kresser. Kresser advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Gavin Kelly single. The score was 4-4 going into the ninth inning.
WVU started the ninth inning with a Chase Swain walk. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hussey. Kresser struck out swinging for the second out of the inning, but Swain advanced to third on the wild pitch. It set up a thrilling ending for WVU. Swain stole home without a throw by Marshall. Swain’s speed proved pivotal for the third time this game and changed the outcome of this game.
Takeaways
The Mountaineers’ aggressive baserunning was the difference yet again. They had two stolen bases and scored multiple runs due to speed on the bases. It was a hard-fought win on the road, but they gutted it out to extend their winning streak to 11. The pitching was not the best, but it was enough to get the victory. Stiffler and Estridge picked up the slack at the end of the game and gave WVU quality innings in pivotal moments. The Mountaineers entered the rankings for the first time this season at 24 and look poised to stay if they keep this winning streak alive.
