Baseball Wins Opener Vs. Charleston Southern
March 27, 2015 02:56 PM | General
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WASHINGTON, Pa. – The West Virginia University baseball team picked up a 9-2 win in the series opener against Charleston Southern on Friday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Ballpark.
West Virginia (13-10, 2-4 Big 12) had nine runs on 11 hits for its fourth-straight victory, and Charleston Southern scored two runs on eight hits.
Freshman right-hander Nick Wernke (1-0) earned his first career victory in 4.1 innings of two-hit shutout relief, striking out three and walking three.
"You play on a day like today where it's snowing most of the game, you just win the game, it doesn't matter how you play," coach Randy Mazey said. "It's hard to evaluate anybody, it's just who is going to grind it out more and fortunately Nick Wernke went out there and held them at bay for more than four innings."
Sophomore catcher Ray Guerrini and freshman second baseman Kyle Davis had two hits apiece for WVU. Sophomore center fielder Shaun Wood and freshman first baseman Shaun Corso added three RBIs apiece.
Freshman right fielder Caleb Potter hit his second career home run in the bottom of the second inning, a solo shot to left field, giving WVU a 1-0 lead.
Charleston Southern took a 2-1 advantage in the top of the fourth inning as Sam Remick hit a sacrifice fly to center field, followed by an RBI single to center field by Ryan Maksim.
The Mountaineers came back to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Corso poked a two-run single to right field, plating Davis and senior left fielder Brad Johnson.
Guerrini provided an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth with a single to left center field on a hit-and-run, scoring senior third baseman Justin Fox to make it 4-2. Corso drove in his third run of the game to bring the score to 5-2 by drawing a bases loaded walk. Wood made it 8-2 with a bases clearing double down the right field line, scoring three runs. Senior shortstop Taylor Munden followed with a double to left center field to score Wood.
"Potter went out and hit a home run and then I put in Shaun (Wood) for Potter and he does great things, so maybe we can get those guys in a platoon situation," Mazey said.
Freshman right-hander Conner Dotson (0-2) took the no-decision for the Mountaineers. Dotson allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk in 3.2 innings.
Andrew Widell and Chase Shelton each had two hits for the Buccaneers. Right-hander Andrew Tomasovich (4-2) took the loss in four innings. Tomasovich gave up three runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
West Virginia and Charleston Southern return to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Mountaineers will send junior left-hander Ross Vance (2-2) to the mound and he will face Charleston Southern right-hander Evan Raynor (2-1).
The game will feature a free video stream, courtesy of Coca-Cola. The games can be heard throughout the state on affiliates of the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG with Jeff Culhane and Ernie Galusky on the call.
Additionally, fans can listen to the broadcast via the WVU Gameday App on their mobile device, as well as the TuneIn Radio App. WVUsports.com also will carry free live audio via the LeanStream Player at WVUsports.com/audio.
NCAA Selection Show
Wednesday, May 13
WVU Baseball Defensive Highlights
Tuesday, May 12
Kansas Recap
Tuesday, May 12
Kansas State Recap
Tuesday, May 12
