The West Virginia Mountaineers (23-4) continued their hot start to the season with an impressive 9-6 road win over the Ohio State Buckeyes (8-17). West Virginia’s offensive depth and strong pitching performances ensured they held off Ohio State’s late-game surge. Here’s a recap of a game that had everything – from timely hits to spectacular pitching moments. Read more Four Run 4th Inning Propels Mountaineers Past Buckeyes.
Mountaineers Break Out in the Fourth
The fourth inning proved to be the game’s defining moment, as West Virginia piled on four runs to take control. First, Spencer Barnett’s two-run single brought in two crucial runs, with Chase Swain and Grant Hussey both crossing the plate. Barnett’s RBI hit gave the Mountaineers a 4-2 lead and was quickly followed by Sauve’s second single of the day, which brought in two more runs. The Mountaineers’ offense was on full display, with Sauve’s hit driving in both Barnett and King, pushing the lead to a commanding 6-2.
Ohio State didn’t go quietly. The Buckeyes answered with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. A fielder’s choice from Bussey and a groundout from Mineo allowed two Ohio State runs to score, cutting the WVU lead to just two runs at 6-4.
Mountaineers Add Insurance Runs
As the game progressed, West Virginia’s offense continued to churn out runs. In the fifth inning, Swain’s single to second base scored Kresser, and the Mountaineers stretched their lead to 7-4. Kresser, who had reached base earlier in the inning, came home easily on Swain’s well-placed hit.
The sixth inning saw another West Virginia insurance run, as Sauve advanced to third on a wild pitch, allowing King to score and make it 8-4. The Mountaineers’ aggressiveness on the base paths and their ability to take advantage of any mistakes by the Buckeyes kept the pressure on Ohio State’s pitching staff throughout the game.
A sacrifice fly from Kresser later in the inning added one more for the Mountaineers, with Sauve trotting home to make it 9-4. At this point, it felt like West Virginia was in full control of the game, though the Buckeyes still had one last rally left in them.
Notable Performances: Sauve and King Lead the Way
Logan Sauve was undoubtedly one of the standout players of the game for West Virginia. The Mountaineers’ catcher went 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs, including a two-run single in the fourth inning that helped break the game open. Sauve’s ability to come through in big moments and his work behind the plate were crucial in securing the victory. His 3-for-3 night would extend his on base streak to 10 plate appearances over the last two games.
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Skylar King also made a huge impact, finishing the day 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored. The top two batters in the Mountaineers line up combined for 5-for-7, 4 runs scored, and 3 runs batted in.
Spencer Barnett also had a huge impact, finishing the day with two RBIs, including the key two-run single in the fourth inning. His performance helped extend West Virginia’s lead and put them in a position to close out the game.
Other contributors to the offense included Spencer Barnett who had a big 2 RBI single, and Kresser, who also scored two runs and made solid contact throughout the game. Their contributions helped the Mountaineers get out to an early lead and maintain that lead.
Looking Ahead
The victory brings West Virginia’s record to 23-4 on the season, continuing their strong start as they prepare for the next game versus Pitt. The Mountaineers have shown they are capable of winning in multiple ways—whether it’s coming from behind, executing fundamental baseball, or exploding offensively.
For fans of West Virginia baseball, it’s clear that this team is poised for big things in 2025. With a strong offense, solid pitching depth, and players stepping up when needed most, the Mountaineers are a team to watch as the season progresses.
