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Comeback, Davis’ Homer Not Enough
April 15, 2016 11:10 PM | Baseball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Sophomore second baseman Kyle Davis hit his fourth home run of the season to cap a four-run comeback and tie the game in the seventh inning, but it was not enough as the West Virginia University baseball team fell to Kansas State, 8-6 in the series opener on Friday evening.
The Mountaineers (17-15, 4-5 Big 12) came back with four runs in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game at 6-6 before the Wildcats regained the lead with two runs in the ninth inning.
WVU scored six runs on eight hits, while KSU had eight runs, six of them earned, on 11 hits. West Virginia had three errors and stranded six runners on base, while K-State left 10 runners on base and did not record an error.
“Things haven’t been going our way recently, but it can turn right back around just as fast,” WVU coach Randy Mazey said. “We have a lot to play for, it’s a big series this weekend. I’m really looking forward to (senior left-hander Ross Vance) pitching well tomorrow and giving us a chance to win.”
WVU’s four-run comeback was highlighted by a three-run seventh inning to tie the game at 6-6. With two outs, Davis homered down the left field line. His fourth home run of the season, and eighth of his career, it sailed just feet inside the left field foul pole. Davis’ homer scored freshman shortstop Jimmy Galusky, who walked, and freshman right fielder Darius Hill, who singled.
However, Kansas State answered WVU’s three-run seventh with two runs to regain the lead in the top of the ninth. The inning began with a walk, a fielder’s choice and an error to put two runners on. With one out, Josh Ethier tripled to right field to drive in both runners.
The Mountaineers’ comeback was aided by 4.1 strong innings in relief by senior right-hander Jeff Hardy. While he suffered the loss by giving up both runs in the ninth inning, Hardy relieved junior starter Chad Donato and retired 11 consecutive batters to help West Virginia come back to tie the game.
In 4.1 innings, Hardy allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
Offensively along with Davis’ team-high three RBIs, Hill led WVU with three hits and added an RBI and two runs scored. Hill continues to lead the team with 42 hits and 24 RBIs.
K-State got on the board with a run in the first inning. With two outs and a runner on, back-to-back singles scored one.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs in the second and third innings, but Donato got groundouts to end both scoring threats and keep the deficit at just one run.
After the first eight Mountaineers were retired in order, WVU took a 2-1 lead thanks to back-to-back two-out hits. After Galusky walked, Hill doubled for West Virginia’s first hit of the game. The hit scored Galusky, and was followed by a double from senior center fielder KC Huth, which plated Hill.
Kansas State regained its advantage in the top of the fourth though, with two unearned runs. A leadoff walk and an error put two runners on and a single and a fielding error scored one. A sacrifice fly gave K-State its 3-2 lead.
KSU added three runs on three hits in the fifth inning to extend its lead to 6-2. All but the first run came off of Hardy, who replaced Donato after Donato hit the leadoff batter.
Making his ninth start of the season, Donato pitched 4.0 innings and allowed four runs, two earned, on seven hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.
West Virginia chipped into the deficit with a run in the sixth inning. After Davis led off the inning with a walk, he scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman designated hitter Ivan Vera.
The series between WVU and KSU continues on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. The series finale, on Sunday, has been moved up to a noon ET start, to accommodate Kansas State’s travel schedule. Tickets remain available for both games and can be purchased at the gate or online at WVUGAME.com. Saturday’s contest is Family Day, and fans can purchase four tickets and receive a $10 concession voucher for just $25. Sunday is Kids’ Day, where fans can get autographs from the Mountaineers and run the bases after the game, while free balloon animals and facepainting will be available during the game.
NOTES: WVU fell to 17-15 on the season and 4-5 in Big 12 play … The attendance of 1,758 was the eighth-largest crowd in Monongalia County Ballpark history and 20th-largest home crowd in program history … Freshman Darius Hill drove in a run with a double and had three hits, and he leads the team with 42 hits and 24 RBIs … Junior Jackson Cramer walked in the sixth inning to extend his reached base streak to a Big 12-best … Sophomore second baseman Kyle Davis hit his fourth home run of the season and eighth of his career in the seventh inning … With a seventh-inning single, freshman Ivan Vera extended his hitting streak to a team-best and career-long eight games and his reached base streak to 11 games.
Single game and flex plan 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 Gate A of Monongalia County Ballpark. More information on single game tickets and can be found at WVUsports.com, while flex plan ticket information is available here.
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