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Three-Run Ninth Gives WVU Series-Opening Win
February 27, 2016 01:16 AM | Baseball
LAS VEGAS – The West Virginia University baseball team used three three-run innings, including in the ninth, to defeat UNLV 9-6 on Friday night in the series opener in Las Vegas.
The Mountaineers (3-1) took an early 6-1 lead after two innings, but the Rebels (1-3) tallied a three-run fifth and a two-run eighth to tie the game at 6-6 in the eighth inning.
After the offense went silent from the third-eighth innings, freshman shortstop Jimmy Galusky drove in the game-winner to begin a three-run ninth inning. Freshman right fielder Darius Hill capped a three-hit, four-RBI day with a two-run home run to give WVU a three run cushion.
“That was a really good win for us,” coach Randy Mazey said. “To win a game like that on the road, scoring three runs in the ninth, says a lot about the character of this team.”
Sophomore right hander Conner Dotson earned his first career victory and secured the final four outs of the game.
Along with Hill’s home run, sophomore third baseman Kyle Davis and freshman second baseman Cole Austin each hit home runs, both in the first inning. It was Austin’s first career homer. Hill had three of WVU’s nine hits and scored three runs with four RBIs, all career-highs.
The Mountaineers opened the scoring with a pair of home runs in the first inning. On the third pitch of the game, Davis sent a shot to left for his first home run of the season.
Two batters later, Austin smashed a ball to left-center for his first career home run. With Hill on first after a single, the two-run homer for Austin gave the freshman his first career RBIs.
After UNLV plated one in the bottom of the first on a pair of singles, WVU jumped out with another three runs in the top of the second inning. Freshman left fielder Kyle Gray reached on a one-out bunt single and advanced to second when Davis walked.
Hill drove both Gray and Davis in with a triple of the wall in center field. It was Hill’s first career triple and RBI. The next batter, Austin, reached on a fielding error by the UNLV second baseman, which scored Hill.
Junior starter Chad Donato followed with 1-2-3 innings in the second and third. UNLV recorded a pair of hits in the fourth, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.
The Rebels cut into the Mountaineers’ lead with a three-run rally in the fifth inning. All with two outs, a single, back-to-back doubles and another single scored three to trim the WVU lead to 6-4.
Donato answered with a 1-2-3 sixth. In the seventh, Donato walked the leadoff batter, who advanced to second on a one-out sacrifice bunt. With two outs though, Donato picked off his second runner of the game to end the frame.
As the WVU bats were silent, with four consecutive three-up, three-down innings, UNLV tied the contest with a two-run eighth inning. Donato departed with two outs and two runners on, but junior right hander Brandon Boone gave up a double to tie the game.
Donato pitched 7.2 innings and allowed six runs, all earned, on 10 hits. He struck out 10 and walked none.
After Boone loaded the bases, Dotson got the final out with some defensive help from Austin. UNLV’s Nick Rodriguez sent a sharp ground ball up the middle that bounced off the pitcher’s mound. Austin charged, scooped up the ball and won the race to second to get the sliding runner for the final out of the inning.
WVU answered right back in the top of the ninth. Senior center fielder KC Huth drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pickoff attempt and reached third on a wild pitch. Huth scored the eventual winning run on Galusky’s single. Galusky stole second and advanced to third on the errant throw by the UNLV catcher, but it didn’t matter. Hill smashed a home run to right to give WVU a 9-6 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.
Dotson came back out for the ninth inning and gave up a 2-out single but nothing more.
WVU scored nine runs on nine hits with one error, while UNLV platted six runs on 12 hits with three errors.
The series continues on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT and concludes on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, in Las Vegas. Live stats can be found at UNLVRebels.com, while UNLVRebels.com/Videos will have a live stream of each contest. Additional updates and notes from the team’s trip to Las Vegas will be available on social media by following and connecting with the team at @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Recapping a huge win with Jimmy Galusky and Darius Hill!
Posted by WVU Baseball on Friday, February 26, 2016
NOTES: WVU improved to 2-1 all-time vs. UNLV … Sophomore Kyle Davis’ leadoff home run was his first of the season and the fifth of his career … Freshman Cole Austin’s first-inning, two-run home run was the first home run and RBI of his career … Freshman Darius Hill’s second-inning, two-run triple was the first triple and RBI of his career … Hill added his first career home run in the ninth inning … Sophomore Conner Dotson got the final four outs of the game and earned his first career win … With an eighth-inning single, junior first baseman Jackson Cramer has reached base in a career-high 23 games.
Season and single game tickets for the 2016 WVU baseball season are on sale now. Fans can join the excitement of WVU baseball and contribute to the home field advantage at Monongalia County Ballpark by calling 1-800-WVU GAME, purchasing tickets at WVUGAME.com or visiting the Mountaineer Ticket Office at the WVU Coliseum. More information on season tickets and the 30-game home schedule can be found at WVUsports.com, while single game ticket information is available here.
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