Offense Leads Baseball to Sweep Butler
April 12, 2015 04:56 PM | General
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GRANVILLE, W.Va. – Behind 16 hits, the West Virginia University baseball team swept the series with a 12-4 victory over Butler on Sunday afternoon at Monongalia County Ballpark.
A total of 1,647 fans attended the contest, marking a three-game total of 6,968 for the weekend, the most to ever attend a weekend series in Morgantown.
“What great crowds this weekend,” coach Randy Mazey said. “The atmosphere was unbelievable. Everybody did a tremendous job from concessions to facilities and the way everything was run. Our kids were really, really appreciative of the fans coming out and supporting us.”
West Virginia improved to 21-12 overall this season, scoring 12 runs on 16 hits with one error. Butler fell to 13-21 overall and had four runs on eight hits with two errors.
Junior center fielder KC Huth continued his torrid series at the plate, batting 3-for-3 with three runs, three RBIs, two doubles, one home run and one walk. Huth finished his weekend 9-for-13 with three runs, two doubles, one home run and six RBIs.
“KC has been playing really well,” Mazey said. “He missed all of fall practice with an injury and getting him back in the lineup now at the halfway point, he is catching fire. He’s always been a great defensive player.”
Senior third baseman Justin Fox, freshman second baseman Kyle Davis, sophomore first baseman Jackson Cramer and sophomore designated hitter Garrett Hope had two hits apiece. Fox also drove in two runs and scored two runs.
In his first game as the leadoff hitter, Fox hit a solo home run in the top of the first over the left center field fence to put WVU ahead 1-0. Davis and Cramer followed with back-to-back doubles to increase the lead to 2-0.
Freshman shortstop Tucker Cascadden recorded his first career RBI with a single in the bottom of the second as Huth scored to make it 3-0.
The Mountaineers took advantage of a Butler error in the bottom of the third and Huth made it 6-0 with a three-run home run to left center field, his second of the season.
Sophomore catcher Ray Guerrini singled through the left side in the bottom of the fourth to plate Fox, bringing the score to 7-0.
West Virginia loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fifth and scored four runs on three hits to make it 11-0, highlighted by RBI singles from Hope and Davis.
Freshman Tony Strasiser scored WVU’s 12th run of the game in the bottom of the eighth, scoring from first base on a double by freshman Kyle Casserly.
Sophomore right-hander Chad Donato (5-3) picked up the win for West Virginia, striking out a career high 10 batters. He went six innings, giving up one run on four hits.
“The 10 strikeouts of course,” Mazey said of what he liked from Donato today. “He wasn’t as sharp as he normally is. He walked four guys today and he’s only had four walks this entire season coming into today. His next time out is going to be against the Sooners, so he’s going to have to be a lot sharper to beat them because they’re a really good team.”
Butler starter Nick Morton (2-4) took the loss after getting hit for 11 runs, seven earned, on 12 hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Tyler Houston and Chris Maranto each had two hits for the Bulldogs.
West Virginia returns to action with a midweek game against Penn State on Tuesday, April 14, at Monongalia County Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game has been designated as a “Dollar Day” with all tickets and select concessions available for $1 each.
The game will feature a free video stream, courtesy of Coca-Cola, and can be heard throughout the state on affiliates of the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG with Jeff Culhane 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.
A link to the video stream and live stats will be available on WVUsports.com.
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