Mountaineers Wallop Wildcats to Clinch Series

The West Virginia Mountaineers (19-17 4-7) beat the Kansas State Wildcats (16-23) in the second game 6-0 clinching the series.

The Mountaineers struck first in the third inning with a pair of RBI’s from Brandon White and Marques Inman.

Shortstop Jimmy Galusky started the inning with a single through the right side of the field and Braden Zarbnisky got on base with a walk and the Mountaineers were in business.

Galusky and Zarbnisky simultaneously stole second and third to get into scoring position. Brandon White would bring Galusky in on a sacrifice fly to right field for the first run of the game and Marques Inman hit an RBI double as Zarbnisky crossed home plate.

West Virginia came up big in the fourth inning adding four runs to their lead and taking a 6-0 lead.

Third baseman Tyler Doanes singled into left field to get the inning going for the Mountaineers before Chase Illig hit is fifth home run on the year with a two-run bomb over right centerfield.

Catcher Ivan Gonzalez doubled down the leftfield line and he advanced to third with Galusky laying down a bunt, but with Jimmy’s hustle down the first base line he was able to beat the throw.

Gonzalez scored during a pickoff attempt on Galusky in which he was caught in a rundown.

Brandon White would double down the left field line and Marques Inman brought him around the base pads with a double off the left field wall.

The Mountaineers held their 6-0 lead with a terrific performance from the pitching staff.  They finished the game only giving up four hits in a shutout.

Starting pitcher Kade Strowd threw 5 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and only gave up two hits.

“Strowd had seven walks and that’s not ideal by any stretch of the imagination. It’s rare when you walk that many guys and still throw a shutout.” Said West Virginia head coach Randy Mazey.

Cody Wood and Tristen Hudson came in to finish the Wildcats off both only giving up a hit and Hudson finished with two strikeouts.

“Relief pitchers have to be good from the first pitch they throw. They attacked the strike zone and we played pretty good defense today.” Said Mazey.

The Mountaineers will go for the series sweep on Sunday at 1:00 pm est at Monongalia County Ball Park.