Disastrous Eighth Inning Gives Baylor 6-3 Win Over WVU Friday

West Virginia starting pitcher Jackson Wolf cruised through his first seven innings of work against the Baylor Bears Friday evening. Through the first seven frames, the senior left-hander had allowed just one run on three hits with seven strikeouts.

West Virginia (11-13, 3-4 Big 12) had a 3-1 lead over Baylor (20-10, 2-5) heading into the final two innings Friday night, but WVU coach Randy Mazey left Wolf in one inning too long as the Bears scored five runs in the eighth to win 6-3.

Wolf failed to record an out in the eighth, allowing three singles and a hit batter. He exited the game having already allowed a run in the inning with the bases still loaded and no outs.

Sophomore Jacob Watters was the first reliever out of WVU’s bullpen but he, too, was ineffective in the eighth. After striking out the first batter he faced, Watters allowed an RBI single and a bases-clearing triple that gave Baylor its 6-3 lead. Noah Short came in to close the inning with two straight strikeouts.

Wolf (3-3, 3.54) took the loss and his final line was seven innings pitched, five earned runs, six hits and seven strikeouts. Baylor starter Tyler Thomas pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Reliever Ryan Leckich got the win pitching the eighth and Luke Boyd earned his sixth save of the season.

WVU third baseman Kevin Brophy finished 1 for 4 with a two-run home run. Second baseman Tyler Doanes and shortstop Mikey Kluska both finished with two hits and designated hitter Vin Ippoliti got on base three times with a single and two walks. For Baylor, catcher Andy Thoms and right fielder Davion Downey both had two RBI.

WVU and Baylor will continue their three-game weekend series Saturday in Waco with the first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. EST.