Mountaineers Bounce Back, Beat W&M 13-4 in Second Game in Virginia

After scoring just four total runs in their three previous games, the West Virginia Mountaineers exploded for 13 runs Saturday afternoon against William & Mary.

The Mountaineers (6-4) scored five runs in the first inning, three in the third and three more in the eighth in their second-highest offensive output of the season.

William & Mary starter Justin Pearson (0-2) lasted just three innings, allowing nine earned runs on nine hits. WVU starter Ryan Bergert (2-0) had his worst start of the young season, giving up four runs in 5.2 innings. He struck out six and walked four.

The Tribe scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the second inning. Bergert allowed the first four batters to reach base, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks in total.

Zach Ottinger (2.1 innings) and Carter Lyles (one inning) closed out the game on the mound.

Senior left fielder Braden Zarbnisky led the offense, going 4-5 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Zarbnisky leads the team with a .488 batting average, 21 hits and 10 runs scored.

Second baseman Tyler Doanes, batting in the third spot in the lineup for the second game in a row, collected two hits, two RBI and scored two runs.

Catcher Vince Ippoliti had his best game of the season, going 3-4 with three RBI and a pair of runs. Designated hitter Paul McIntosh drove in a team-high five runs. He leads the team with 10 RBI.

The Mountaineers will close out their weekend in Virginia with a game against Richmond at noon Sunday. The pitching matchup will be Jake Carr (1-1) against Jacob Marcus (0-1).