WVU Baseball Downs Arizona 5-1 Behind Blaine Traxel’s Complete Game

The West Virginia Mountaineers won their fourth straight game, downing the Arizona Wildcats 5-1.

Mountaineers’ right-hander Blaine Traxel took over the game. The fifth-year transfer from Cal State Northridge pitched a complete game, giving up one run and striking out six on 124 pitches.

West Virginia opened the scoring in the second inning. Third baseman Ellis Garcia drew a leadoff walk, then first baseman Grant Hussey doubled him home. Shortstop Tevin Tucker hit an RBI single to make it 2-0.

Arizona loaded the bases in the second inning, closing the deficit to 2-1 with a sacrifice fly RBI. 

Junior center fielder Braden Barry got hit by a pitch in the fifth, and second baseman JJ Wetherholt doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Catcher Dayne Leonard hit a double to double the score to 4-1, chasing Arizona starter Anthony Susac from the game. Traxel began a streak of 13 straight outs recorded in the bottom of the frame.

The Mountaineers stretched the lead to 5-1 in the top of the seventh. Tucker led off with a single and Barry reached on a throwing error by pitcher George Arias Jr. 

The Wildcats cut Tucker down at third on the error, saving an extra run from scoring as Wetherholt singled Barry home a batter later. 

Sitting at 97 pitches after a five pitch seventh, head coach Randy Mazey gave Traxel the ball for good and the veteran punched out two in the ninth to secure the victory.

West Virginia (4-2) plays for the sweep at 3pm Sunday.