McCormick Drives in Four as WVU Rallies to Defeat Miami (Ohio), 7-6

West Virginia and Miami (Ohio) each scored three runs in the eighth inning, but it was the Mountaineers who hung on to win by a score of 7-6 Friday night. In the series opener between the Mountaineers (19-23, 7-14 Big 12) and RedHawks, (21-23, 14-15 MAC) WVU catcher Matt McCormick drove in four runs with a two-run home run in the first inning and a two-run, go-ahead single in the eighth.

WVU led for much of the game thanks to McCormick’s first-inning home run, but Miami was able to take a 5-4 lead in the eighth off of reliever Zach Ottinger. RBIs from Austin Davis and McCormick in the bottom of the inning gave WVU a 7-5 lead and Madison Jeffery was able to hang on in the ninth to secure the win and pick up his fourth save of the season.

WVU starter Jackson Wolf pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing two runs, one earned, with seven strikeouts. Miami starter Grant Hartwig lasted just three innings, giving up three runs and striking out five.

McCormick finished 4 for 5 with a double, home run, four RBI and two runs scored. Freshman Nathan Blasick hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and Davis had two hits, and RBI and scored two runs.

WVU and Miami will conclude their two-game series starting at 4 p.m. Saturday at Mon County Ballpark.