WVU Takes Series at Notre Dame
April 17, 2011 03:59 PM | General
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A complete game from senior right-hander Andy Berry and a six-run fifth inning led the West Virginia University baseball team to an 8-1 victory over Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon at Frank Eck Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
The Mountaineers won the season series, splitting a doubleheader on Friday and then winning this afternoon’s finale. This is the first time since 2003 the Mountaineers were able to win a three-game series at Notre Dame.
“This was a huge weekend for us to win two out of three. We were fortunate," coach Greg Van Zant said. "Their pitching is really good and to get to play a game on national television, our guys were really excited. Any time you can win one on the road you’ve done pretty well, and to win two out of three, I’m really proud of our guys."
West Virginia (22-15, 8-4) finished with eight runs on 10 hits no errors, while Notre Dame (14-18-1, 5-7) scored one run on three hits and committed two errors.
Berry (5-2) allowed three hits and one run for his first career nine-inning complete game.
"He just goes out their and pounds the strike zone," Van Zant said. "He pitches smart and he does exactly what we need on a Sunday, a veteran who pitches smart and throws strikes."
Berry also struck out five, including the final three batters of the game.
"The first few innings I really wasn't locating my fastball," Berry said. "I think in the later innings I started warming up a bit and I was able to throw all of my pitches for strikes."
Todd Miller (3-3) took the loss for the Irish, allowing eight runs on eight hits in five innings. Notre Dame used four relievers who each pitched one inning.
Fifth-year senior shortstop Grant Buckner got the Mountaineers on the board in the top of third with a two-run home run to left center. Senior third baseman Justin McDavid started the inning with a double down the left field line before Buckner smacked his fifth homer of the season and first in conference play.
Buckner finished the afternoon with a 3-for-5 performance, including two runs, a double, a home run and three RBIs. Buckner completed the weekend batting 6 for 12 with four runs, two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. What is more impressive is what Buckner has done in his career against the Irish, going 13 for 37 with 13 runs, three doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs.
"I don't know what it is about these guys. Maybe it's just the name," Buckner said. "They have such a storied program in all sports. I don't know what it is but I'm glad I've been able to swing it against them."
McDavid and freshman second baseman Isac Franklin each went 2 for 4 on the afternoon, with McDavid scoring a run and Franklin driving in a run.
Thanks to two errors by Notre Dame fielders, the Mountaineers added six runs on four hits in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 8-0. Sophomore rightfielder Brady Wilson started the rally with a one-out single through the left side. After McDavid grounded out, Buckner singled to left, scoring Wilson. Senior first baseman Jeremy Gum was able to reach on an error by the second baseman Frank Desico, while sophomore leftfielder Chris Rasky knocked a single to center that scored Buckner.
Freshman designated hitter L.K. Thompson drew a walk to load the bases, bringing sophomore catcher Matt Malloy to the plate. Malloy laced a ball toward right that was tailing away from Notre Dame center fielder Eric Jagielo, who ultimately dropped the ball. That cleared the bases and allowing Malloy to reach second. Franklin then singled up the middle, plating Malloy for the final run of the inning.
Berry’s only blemish was a home run from Notre Dame’s Trey Mancini in the bottom of the sixth that hit off the batter’s eye in center field.
The Mountaineers will return to Hawley Field to take on Seton Hall in a BIG EAST home series beginning Thursday, April 21, at 7:05 p.m. The game has been designated as a “Dollar Day” with all tickets and select concessions just $1.
The Mountaineers won the season series, splitting a doubleheader on Friday and then winning this afternoon’s finale. This is the first time since 2003 the Mountaineers were able to win a three-game series at Notre Dame.
“This was a huge weekend for us to win two out of three. We were fortunate," coach Greg Van Zant said. "Their pitching is really good and to get to play a game on national television, our guys were really excited. Any time you can win one on the road you’ve done pretty well, and to win two out of three, I’m really proud of our guys."
West Virginia (22-15, 8-4) finished with eight runs on 10 hits no errors, while Notre Dame (14-18-1, 5-7) scored one run on three hits and committed two errors.
Berry (5-2) allowed three hits and one run for his first career nine-inning complete game.
"He just goes out their and pounds the strike zone," Van Zant said. "He pitches smart and he does exactly what we need on a Sunday, a veteran who pitches smart and throws strikes."
Berry also struck out five, including the final three batters of the game.
"The first few innings I really wasn't locating my fastball," Berry said. "I think in the later innings I started warming up a bit and I was able to throw all of my pitches for strikes."
Todd Miller (3-3) took the loss for the Irish, allowing eight runs on eight hits in five innings. Notre Dame used four relievers who each pitched one inning.
Fifth-year senior shortstop Grant Buckner got the Mountaineers on the board in the top of third with a two-run home run to left center. Senior third baseman Justin McDavid started the inning with a double down the left field line before Buckner smacked his fifth homer of the season and first in conference play.
Buckner finished the afternoon with a 3-for-5 performance, including two runs, a double, a home run and three RBIs. Buckner completed the weekend batting 6 for 12 with four runs, two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. What is more impressive is what Buckner has done in his career against the Irish, going 13 for 37 with 13 runs, three doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs.
"I don't know what it is about these guys. Maybe it's just the name," Buckner said. "They have such a storied program in all sports. I don't know what it is but I'm glad I've been able to swing it against them."
McDavid and freshman second baseman Isac Franklin each went 2 for 4 on the afternoon, with McDavid scoring a run and Franklin driving in a run.
Thanks to two errors by Notre Dame fielders, the Mountaineers added six runs on four hits in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 8-0. Sophomore rightfielder Brady Wilson started the rally with a one-out single through the left side. After McDavid grounded out, Buckner singled to left, scoring Wilson. Senior first baseman Jeremy Gum was able to reach on an error by the second baseman Frank Desico, while sophomore leftfielder Chris Rasky knocked a single to center that scored Buckner.
Freshman designated hitter L.K. Thompson drew a walk to load the bases, bringing sophomore catcher Matt Malloy to the plate. Malloy laced a ball toward right that was tailing away from Notre Dame center fielder Eric Jagielo, who ultimately dropped the ball. That cleared the bases and allowing Malloy to reach second. Franklin then singled up the middle, plating Malloy for the final run of the inning.
Berry’s only blemish was a home run from Notre Dame’s Trey Mancini in the bottom of the sixth that hit off the batter’s eye in center field.
The Mountaineers will return to Hawley Field to take on Seton Hall in a BIG EAST home series beginning Thursday, April 21, at 7:05 p.m. The game has been designated as a “Dollar Day” with all tickets and select concessions just $1.
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