Baseball: WVU Batters the Bonnies
March 22, 2006 09:42 PM | General
March 22, 2006
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| Justin Jenkins |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Unfortunately for St. Bonaventure, West Virginia's bats weren't as cold as the weather. On a day more suitable for ice fishing or skiing, the Mountaineers pounded out 18 runs on 19 hits en route to a dominating 18-4 victory over the Bonnies Wednesday afternoon at Hawley Field.
Starting pitcher Brendan Bergerson (1-0) had a stellar outing for the Mountaineers. Bergerson pitched five and two-thirds innings, and allowed one run on three hits while striking out five.
St. Bonaventure (4-5) struck first when Brian Pellegrini hit a towering home run to left-center field to give the Bonnies an early 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The Mountaineers responded in their half of the first inning when Stan Posluszny doubled to left field to bring Tyler Kuhn across the plate. Kyle Matuszek then grounded out to third base, scoring Justin Jenkins, to give the Mountaineers an early 2-1 lead after an inning of play. West Virginia never trailed again.
The Mountaineers extended their lead to 8-1 in the third inning, scoring six runs on four hits with three St. Bonaventure errors.
After adding one run in each of the next two innings to take a 10-1 lead, the Mountaineers exploded for six more runs in the sixth inning. Catcher David Carpenter and center fielder Adam White each had RBI singles to center field. Kuhn then doubled to left knocking in two more runs. Doug Nelms then reached on an error, scoring White from third base. Jenkins then singled to left field to bring home Kuhn and end the scoring in the sixth.
In the eighth inning, Pellegrini hit his second home run of the game for the Bonnies, a three-run shot to left field to cut the deficit to 16-4. West Virginia then added two runs in its half of the eighth to make the final margin 18-4.
Jenkins had an outstanding afternoon at the plate, going 5 for 6 with one RBI. Kuhn went 2 for 4 with three RBI, while Nelms, Posluszny and White each had two RBI for the Mountaineers.
St. Bonaventure starter Eddie Williams (1-2) gets credit for the loss. Williams gave up two runs on two hits while walking a pair in two innings of work.
West Virginia (16-3) has now won 10 straight games. The Mountaineers will open up Big East Conference play when the Pitt Panthers invade Hawley Field for a three-game series this weekend. The teams will meet Friday, March 24 at 5 p.m., Saturday March 25 at 3 p.m. and Sunday March 26 at 1 p.m.
