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Freshmen Lead WVU to 5-1 Win over Eastern Michigan
April 06, 2016 11:25 PM | Baseball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team used a cast of seven freshmen in the starting lineup to beat Eastern Michigan, 5-1 on Wednesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark.
Freshmen recorded seven of WVU’s eight hits, drove in four of the five runs and scored three runs. On the mound, freshman starter Tanner Campbell (2-1) allowed just one hit in 5.0 innings while striking out two and walking two to earn his second win of the year.
The Mountaineers (16-11) have won four of their last five games. WVU held the Eagles (12-16) to one run on three hits.
“The last two games we’ve had better energy, better effort,” WVU coach Randy Mazey said. “Now we’ve won four out of five, three of those being one-run games, so now I think this team is starting to believe, starting to believe in themselves late in games. I like where we are right now.”
At the plate, freshmen Marques Inman and Darius Hill each had two hits and drove in two runs. Inman had two doubles, while Hill had one. Freshmen Jimmy Galusky and Kyle Gray both added a hit and a run scored.
The freshmen made an impact defensively, specifically in the infield. Inman, playing second, and Galusky, at shortstop, each made a highlight-reel play. Inman’s came with two outs in the second, while Galusky’s was in the eighth, with the bases loaded.
Galusky ran to his left, fielded a ground ball at the edge of the outfield turf and threw out the Eagle batter at first base.
Freshman Cole Austin also made his first collegiate appearance at third base.
“That was the difference tonight, the defense on the left side of the infield,” Mazey said. Cole’s never played third base in this program, and hasn’t practiced over there. He sure made a difference defensively. Jimmy’s play up the middle was as good of a play as you’ll see by any shortstop in college baseball. That’s why he’s out there.”
With the help of the defense, Campbell took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. After he issued a pair of walks in the first, he retired 12 in a row before the Eagles’ first hit came in the fifth with two outs.
To close it out on the mound, senior righty Jeff Hardy entered the game in the eighth inning with two outs. After he walked one to load the bases, Hardy recorded the final four outs of the game to earn his second save of the year.
The Mountaineers wasted no time getting on the board with a run in the first inning. Sophomore designated hitter Kyle Davis led off the inning with a double and scored on Hill’s single to left field.
After Campbell retired the Eagles in order in the second and third innings, WVU added to its lead with a pair of runs in the third. It again began with a leadoff hit, with Galusky singling through the left side. After Hill walked, Inman drove both Galusky and Hill home with a double that landed down the right field line.
West Virginia extended its lead to 4-0 with a run in the fourth. Gray led off the inning with a double down the left field line and scored when senior center fielder KC Huth fouled out to left.
Hill drove in his second run of the game in the sixth inning with a double down the left field line. The hit drove in Huth, who walked, and gave the Mountaineers a 5-0 lead.
Eastern Michigan scored one in the top of the seventh to cut the WVU lead to 5-1. With the bases loaded and no outs, Tony Dileo grounded into a double play to score one.
EMU loaded the bases again in the eighth inning with two outs, but Hardy came in and got the final out thanks to Galusky’s web gem.
WVU’s nine game homestand continues with a weekend series against Furman. The series begins on Friday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday’s contest, which begins at 4 p.m., is Military Appreciation Day. First pitch of the finale will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 10.
NOTES: WVU improved to 16-11 on the season, 6-4 at home and 4-1 in its last five games … Freshman Darius Hill had two hits and two RBIs and continues to lead the team with 24 hits and 19 RBIs … A third-inning walk extended junior Jackson Cramer’s reached-base streak to a Big 12-leading 47 games … Freshman Tanner Campbell no-hit EMU for 4.2 innings … Campbell earned his second win of the season, going 5.0 innings allowing just one hit with two strikeouts and two walks … Senior pitcher Jeff Hardy made his first career plate appearance and grounded out in the eighth inning … Hardy earned his second save of the season, recording the final four outs of the game.
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 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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