Brophy Muscles Mountaineers to victory

Conway, SC- Day two at the Brittain Resorts Invitational ended with the Mountaineers getting back into the win column for the first time since last Friday in Jacksonville. The 10-6 victory over Illinois improved the Mountaineers record to 2-3 on the season and 1-1 in the weekend tournament.

The day started off with a blast as the Mountaineers erupted for a four run first inning, with three runs coming off the bat of first baseman Kevin Brophy.

West Virginia starting pitcher Kade Strowd had a smooth day on the mound going a strong five innings, striking out 3 and giving up just two runs. Strowd’s performance was pretty strong, but was not able to earn the win. Mountaineers reliever Tristen Hudson had a rough outing only being able to record one out while giving up four runs in an inning where his control wasn’t at his best. Hudson gave up a grand slam and all of a sudden the game was tied 6-6. 

Shortly after the Fighting Illini tied the game up, the Mountaineers got 4 runs right back off of the Kevin Brophy grand slam which was his 3rd home run of the game and in the meantime racked up his 8th RBI of the game.

Head Coach Randy Mazey had to be very pleased with Christian Young who cleaned things up in the 6th inning and made easy work of the 7th and 8th innings before running into a little bit of trouble in the 9th. Sam Kessler’s number was called to shut down things in the ninth with the bases loaded and was a able to wiggle out of a jam despite giving up two runs that would end up being earned to Christian Young.

WP- Christian Young (1-0)

LP: Ryan Kutt (0-1)

Save: Sam Kessler (2)