WVU Baseball is Held to Three Hits but Defeats Georgia State 3-2 in Series Finale

The West Virginia offense was held to three hits, left 10 runners on base, went 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and yet defeated Georgia State 3-2 in their series finale Sunday afternoon.

After losing both games of Saturday’s doubleheader, West Virginia (2-2) was able to salvage the series finale Sunday with good pitching and just enough offense. All three of West Virginia’s runs were scored in unconventional ways, two on GSU miscues and the third on a ball that did not leave the infield.

The action started in the top of the second when first baseman Matt McCormick led off the inning with a double to left-center. McCormick advanced to third on an error and later scored on a wild pitch.

Sophomore right-hander Tyler Strechay took the ball for the Mountaineers and allowed two earned runs over four innings of work while striking out two. He gave way to freshman Ben Hampton, making his collegiate debut, with WVU trailing 2-1. Hampton limited the Panthers to just two baserunners across three innings of work, striking out two.

West Virginia had catcher Paul McIntosh on third, and center fielder Victor Scott on first with one out in the top of the sixth, looking to tie the game. Scott stole second and a throwing error allowed him to move to third and McIntosh to run home, knotting the game up at 2-2. True freshman shortstop Mikey Kluska then laid down a bunt single that scored Scott and gave WVU a 3-2 lead.

Zach Ottinger and Jacob Watters followed Hampton out of the bullpen in the eighth and ninth, each turning in a scoreless inning and nailing down the victory for West Virginia.

The Mountaineer offense finished with just three hits but walked seven times. Kluska finished with one hit, an RBI and two walks and McCormick finished with a double and a run scored. Hampton (1-0) was credited with the win and Watters (1) got the save.

West Virginia will return to action next week, participating the CCU Baseball Tournament. The Mountaineers will play Kennesaw State on Friday, Coastal Carolina on Saturday and Bryant on Sunday.