The Mountaineers won the second game of the series, 6-4, against Cincinnati at home. The bats came alive tonight as they hit three home runs to secure the victory. They move to 33-4 on the season and 14-3 in the Big 12. They also moved their winning streak to 13 games, an impressive feat in the competitive Big 12 conference. The Mountaineers are back in action Saturday at 2 p.m. Read more: The hot streak continues for WVU Baseball.
Recap: The Hot Streak Continues for WVU Baseball
Gavin Van Kempen started the night on the mound for WVU. He struck out one batter in the first without allowing a baserunner. WVU’s bats began the night with two two-out singles in the bottom of the inning. Kyle West singled to second base and advanced to third on two wild pitches. Jace Rinehart continued his timely hitting, knocking him in with a single of his own.
Van Kempen allowed his first hit of the night in the second. Designated hitter Dawson Hokuf doubled down the right-field line with two outs. However, WVU got out of the inning unscathed. The Mountaineers failed to score in the bottom of the inning. Van Kempen made quick work of the Bearcats in the third. WVU left one man on base in the bottom of the third.
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The fourth inning was a bit more exciting. Cincinnati started the inning with a home run. Catcher Jack Natili homered to left center to put the Bearcats on the board. WVU came back roaring in the bottom of the inning. Rinehart singled up the middle to start the inning and moved to second on a Sam White single. Spencer Barnett advanced the runners into a better position for Chase Swain. Swain hit a sacrifice fly, which scored Rinehart. It gave WVU a 2-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.
The Bearcats started the fifth inning with a walk, and Van Kempen showed some frustration on the mound. Head coach Steve Sabins came out to the mound, and Van Kampen appeared to turn his back to the coach as he took the ball to remove him from the game. Bryant Yoak replaced him on the mound. His night did not last long as the baserunner, Christian Mitchelle, stole second, and Yoak hit Lauden Brooks with a pitch. Sabins quickly returned to the mound to bring in Reese Bassinger. Sabins knew he had available arms after only using two pitchers the night before and wanted to limit the damage in a close game. Bassinger got one quick out and struck out the final two batters to get out of the inning.
Logan Sauve homered to left center with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, which gave WVU a 3-1 lead. Bassinger continued on the mound in the sixth and struck out two more in a scoreless inning. The bats came alive in the sixth for the Mountaineers. Rinehart started the inning with a home run to left field. White singled after him and advanced to second on a passed ball. Grant Hussey homered to right field for a two-run shot, which moved the lead to five.
Bassinger gave up a double to Brooks to start the seventh inning and scored on a sacrifice fly later. The run gave the Bearcats their second run of the game. WVU left one on base in the bottom of the inning. Bassinger continued in the eighth and did not surrender a run, but WVU did not score either. Bassinger hit a batter and allowed a triple, which scored a run, to start the ninth inning. Carson Estridge replaced him for the save opportunity. The runner on third scored on a groundout, but Estridge struck out the final batter for the Mountaineers’ 13th consecutive win.
Takeaways
The power shined bright for WVU tonight. They hit three home runs, which is atypical for them this season. Rinehart continued his tear in this series. He is five for seven with four RBIs and two runs in the series. Sauve only has one hit in the series, but his home run was important tonight in a close game. Pitching has been important this week in multiple low-scoring games. Bassinger and Estridge did a phenomenal job in relief tonight, while Van Kempen had four solid innings to start.
