The West Virginia Mountaineers (24-4) delivered a commanding 11-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers (16-12) in a non-conference matchup. The game, which held 4,629 fans, saw a record crowd for Kendrick Family Ballpark. The Mountaineers’ offensive firepower came alive, backed by solid pitching from Benjamin Hudson, who earned the win, and a strong overall team effort. Read more West Virginia Dominates Pittsburgh 11-1 in Backyard Brawl.
A Quick Start for the Mountaineers
West Virginia wasted no time in taking control of the game. In the bottom of the second inning, the Mountaineers exploded for five runs, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Following a series of walks and singles, the Mountaineers were able to push across five runs in the frame. The key hits included a two-RBI single from Logan Sauve and an RBI single from Gavin Kelly, who had a productive night with three hits and three RBIs.
After a slow start in the first inning, West Virginia made their mark in the second inning, capitalizing on the Panthers’ pitching and defensive struggles. The Mountaineers showed great patience at the plate, drawing a total of eight walks in the game, forcing Pittsburgh’s pitchers into difficult situations all night long.
Benjamin Hudson Shines
Benjamin Hudson (1-0) was the star on the mound for West Virginia, earning the win with an impressive five-inning performance. Hudson allowed just two hits and one run while striking out four and walking two. He was able to navigate through the Pittsburgh lineup with relative ease, showing great command of his pitches. His fastball kept the Pittsburgh batters off balance, and his off-speed pitches helped him get out of jams when necessary.
The Mountaineers also got solid contributions from their bullpen. Bryant Yoak pitched a clean inning with three strikeouts, allowing only one hit. This dominant performance by the West Virginia pitching staff helped to neutralize any hopes of a Pittsburgh comeback.
Offensive Dominance from West Virginia
The offensive performance from West Virginia was nothing short of excellent. As a team, the Mountaineers collected 11 hits, with every starter reaching base at least once. The offense was led by Brodie Kresser, who went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, and Gavin Kelly, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Logan Sauve also played a pivotal role, finishing with two RBIs, including a single that plated two runs in the second inning. Suave saw his streak of 10 straight plate appearances reaching base snapped with a first inning strikeout. Grant Hussey had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI. West Virginia’s offense exhibited patience, aggression, and timely hitting, which allowed them to break the game open early and maintain control throughout the contest.
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The Panthers’ lone run came in the fourth inning when Luke Cantwell was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Sebastian Pisacreta to score. This was the only blemish on West Virginia’s pitching staff, as they would go on to dominate the remaining innings.
Closing the Game
As the game wore on, West Virginia continued to add to their lead. They scored three runs in the fourth, once in the fifth, once in the seventh, and once more in the eighth, gradually expanding their advantage. In the eighth, Grant Hussey drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, making it 11-1. The Mountaineers’ depth and ability to execute offensively in different situations were on full display as they kept the pressure on Pittsburgh.
Looking Ahead
The Mountaineers are riding a four-game win streak into their three-game series with conference foe, the Utah Utes (13-13). The Mountaineers look to use its momentum to keep rolling in conference play.
