Baseball: Gold Takes Game Three, Series
October 13, 2005 01:34 PM | General
October 13, 2005
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team’s gold squad edged the blue team, 1-0, in game three to win the 16th annual Blue-Gold World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 12.
After falling in game one, the gold team rebounded to win both games two and three to take the series.
"This was one of the most hotly contested series we have ever played in the 16 years of our Fall World Series,” head coach Greg Van Zant said.
In game three, the gold team received stellar pitching efforts from lefties Wes Osbourn and Eric Saffell, who combined to allow only five hits and pitch a shutout against the blue squad.
“It was good to see the pitchers pitch so well for both teams,” Van Zant said. “(Catchers) David Carpenter and Justin Parks did a great job behind the plate calling and receiving pitches today.”
Osbourn, a junior, had a solid outing for the gold team to pick up the win. He allowed only two hits in five innings of work while also striking out four.
Saffell came in relief in the sixth and got the save for the gold team. He also scored the only run of the game on junior second baseman Brandon Drespling's RBI sacrifice fly to right field.
For his efforts on the mound and at the plate, Saffell was named the MVP of the series. He also hit a three-run home run in gold’s game two win on Tuesday.
Freshman designated hitter Nick Cucchiarella led the gold team offensively going 2-for-3 with two doubles, while teammate junior third baseman Justin Jenkins finished 2-for-4.
Blue senior left-hander Ryan Lipscomb earned the loss despite pitching a great game. Lipscomb went five innings giving up just three hits. He also had a pair of strikeouts and an unearned run.
The blue team was led by sophomore second baseman Josh Whitlock, who batted 2-for-3 with a double. Catcher Justin Parks hit 1-for-4 with a double also for the blue team.
The Mountaineers will conclude fall practice with one final intra-squad scrimmage on Friday, Oct. 14.
