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Timely Hits Propel WVU to Win Over Hokies
May 03, 2016 11:14 PM | Baseball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team scored a run in five of the first six innings to beat Virginia Tech 5-4 on Tuesday evening.
In front of 1,217 fans at Monongalia County Ballpark, the Mountaineers (24-19) fought off a late comeback attempt by the Hokies (15-31) to win the 87th meeting between the two teams. WVU scored five runs early before VT’s seventh-inning, three-run rally fell short.
“We actually played pretty well early in the game,” WVU coach Randy Mazey said. “We got the leadoff man on in the first three innings. A couple of bunts, a couple hit-and-runs, executing, and the next thing you know we score in each of those innings. It’s a good team win. We’ve been winning games by slugging the ball around and we didn’t do that tonight and still won the game. It’s nice to know you can win games in different fashions.”
WVU, with five runs on eight hits, was out-hit but earned the victory for the second consecutive game. VT scored four runs on 10 hits, but a pair of errors helped result in three unearned Mountaineer runs.
Freshman right-hander Braden Zarbnisky (2-0) made his third consecutive start and earned his first victory as a starter. In 4.0 innings, he did not give up a run on three hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
Senior righty Blake Smith earned his sixth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. Smith struck out two and gave up two hits, but a stellar defensive play by senior center fielder KC Huth to throw out the Hokie runner at third base ended the game.
Junior first baseman Jackson Cramer continued his hot hitting, accounting for two of WVU’s eight hits. He added his sixth home run of the season, a solo shot in the fifth inning. It was the sixth multi-hit showing in the last seven games for the reigning Big 12 Player of the Week.
The Mountaineers wasted no time getting on the board. With one out in the first inning, freshman Ivan Vera singled up the middle to score sophomore designated hitter Kyle Davis, who walked.
After Zarbnisky retired the Hokies in order in the second, WVU added to its lead with a run in the bottom half. The first two batters reached, with the help of an error, and a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third with one out. Freshman shortstop Jimmy Galusky followed with a sacrifice fly to score sophomore left fielder Caleb Potter.
Zarbnisky got into some trouble in the third but escaped without allowing a run to score. A leadoff double and a one-out walk put two runners on, but a fielder’s choice and a strikeout got the Mountaineers out of the inning.
West Virginia responded with another unearned run in the third to extend its lead to 3-0. Freshman right fielder Darius Hill reached on a throwing error, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and reached third on Cramer’s single. Hill scored when junior catcher Ray Guerrini singled through the left side.
WVU’s scoring spree was halted in the fourth inning, but it picked back up with Cramer’s fifth-inning home run. Virginia Tech got on the board in the top of the sixth.
Junior righty Jackson Sigman entered the game with the bases loaded and one out. While he allowed a single to score one run, a pair of strikeouts helped limit the damage.
The Mountaineers answered right back though with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring the lead back to four at 5-1. Galusky led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. After Davis walked, Hill reached on a fielder’s choice to score Galusky for another unearned run.
Virginia Tech cut into WVU’s lead with a three run seventh inning. The first three batters reached before a groundout scored one and a single scored another. Sophomore right-hander Conner Dotson came in and got the final two outs of the inning.
With WVU’s lead cut down to one at 5-4, freshman righty Endy Morales pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Smith pitched the ninth to earn the save.
WVU remains at home to host Texas from May 6-8. The series begins on Friday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET, and there will be postgame fireworks, presented by Coca-Cola. Saturday is Family Day, where fans can purchase four tickets and get a $10 concession voucher for just $25. Sunday is Kids’ Day and Mother’s Day. At the 1 p.m. series finale, any mom that brings a child to the game will receive a $3 ticket at the gate. Following the game, kids will have the opportunity to run the bases and get autographs from their favorite players.
NOTES: WVU improves to 24-19 on the season, 16-10 in non-conference play and 13-10 at home … West Virginia is 33-59-1 all-time against Virginia Tech and 18-15 at home … WVU improved to 19-6 when scoring first and 10-4 when scoring in the first inning … Freshman Braden Zarbnisky earned his second win of the season and first as a starter … Senior Blake Smith earned his career-best sixth save of the season … Junior Jackson Cramer hit his team-high-tying sixth home run of the season and 15th of his career … Cramer added his 13th multi-hit game of the year and sixth in the last seven 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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