WVU Baseball Beats Stetson to Open Season Thanks to Benjamin Lumsden’s Heroics

WVU Baseball survived a scare at Stetson to open their 2024 season with a 6-4 win on Saturday night. Right fielder Benjamin Lumsden, a transfer from UT Arlington, knocking a pair of homers—including the eventual game winner—in his Mountaineers debut.

West Virginia starter Aidan Major went six innings, allowing three runs and striking out seven batters, four of whom he sent down looking.

Benny💣 (again)

WVU up 6-4 in the eighth!!#HailWV pic.twitter.com/qCedjIikHj

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) February 17, 2024

Superstar JJ Wetherholt started the game doing JJ Wetherholt things, drawing a leadoff walk after falling behind in the count 0-2. He then stole second and third bases before coming around to score on a Sam White single.

Lumsden hit a home run in his first Mountaineers at-bat, drilling a 2-2 pitch to center field in the second inning. Wetherholt poked a two-out single to second base, swiping another bag to move himself into scoring position before coming home on a single from catcher Logan Sauve.

Major allowed two doubles in the bottom of the frame as Stetson cut the lead to 3-1. 

The Mountaineers regained a three run advantage in the top of the fourth. Skylar King doubled, forcing the Hatters to intentionally walk Wetherholt. An errant pickoff move from Stetson starter Aric McAtee scored King.

Late Game Drama

Major allowed a two-out, two run homer on the 92nd pitch he threw, allowing Hatters’ right fielder Jayden Hylton to make it a one run game in the sixth inning.

Maxx Yehl relieved Major in the seventh, punching out the leadoff man before allowing a first pitch, game-tying homer to center fielder Evan Griffis.

West walked in the eighth, and Lumsden hammered his second homer of the game to break the tie, 6-4.

Baylor transfer Hambleton Oliver got the win with 2.1 perfect innings to end the game. 

WVU Baseball moves to 1-0 on the season. Their series with the Hatters continues at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with the first pitch moved up because of persistent rain showers throughout the day. Left-hander Tyler Switalski, a transfer from Gardner Webb, is set to make his Mountaineers debut in the contest.