Late Homer Lifts Jacksonville over West Virginia

A strong start by West Virginia sophomore Ryan Bergert was ultimately wasted Saturday afternoon as West Virginia lost 3-2 to Jacksonville.

Bergert followed up Jackson Wolf’s seven-inning, one-hit outing from Friday with six strong innings of one-run ball. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits and two walks in six innings of work. He also struck out four on 93 pitches.

The WVU offense was active throughout the game but failed more than once to cash in on scoring chances. The Mountaineers left nine total runners on base in the game, one in each inning except the third and ninth.

West Virginia scored its first run in the second inning when shortstop Tevin Tucker singles in freshman center fielder Victor Scott who had tripled. The Dolphins tied the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fielder’s choice.

Scott tripled again in the sixth and was driven in on a single by right fielder Austin Davis. Davis drove in WVU’s third run in the eighth, scoring third baseman Kevin Brophy.

Freshman Tyler Strechay relieved Bergert after six innings. Following a clean seventh, Strechay ran into trouble in the eighth. After a one-out walk, Strechay gave up an RBI double to Jacksonville senior catcher Anthony George. After that Strechay was replaced by Madison Jeffrey.

Jeffrey gave up a two-run, go-ahead home run to the first batter he faced, first baseman Christian Coipel, to give Jacksonville a 4-3 lead. Chris Mauloni set the Mountaineers down in order in the ninth to secure the win for the Dolphins.

Davis finished 3-4 with a double and two RBI for the Mountaineers while Scott finished 2-4 with two triples and two runs scored.

The series between WVU and JU is now tied at 1-1 with the rubber match coming Sunday at noon.