WVU Baseball Survives Sloppy Game at Charlotte

WVU Baseball took the first contest of their four game set with Charlotte on Friday, drubbing the 49ers 12-8 thanks to a balanced offensive performance from transfers, established veterans and young guns alike.

Junior right-hander Aidan Major set a career high with nine strikeouts, allowing just two runs and three hits across five innings pitched. West Virginia’s bullpen displayed some shaky tendencies once again, but the big day at the plate helped to cover up those struggles—even with star shortstop JJ Wetherholt still sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Mountaineers loaded the bases in the first inning, and first baseman Grant Hussey plated a pair of runs with a double down the right field line. 

Charlotte got one back in the bottom of the frame with a solo home run, then Mountaineers’ transfer portal additions like third baseman Reed Chumley and shortstop Brodie Kresser combined to tack on another run in the second. Chumley began the inning with a single and Kresser doubled him home. 

Small ball gave the Mountaineers four runs in the fourth. Transfer designated hitter Kyle West drew a leadoff walk, then center fielder Skyler King bunted to move him over, with both runners grabbing an extra bag thanks to an error. A Kresser groundout scored West, then three Mountaineers reached base with two outs: a walk from catcher Logan Sauve, an RBI single from left fielder Sam White and a double from right fielder Ben Lunsden that made it 7-1.  

Charlotte Makes A Game Of It

West Virginia loaded the bases in the seventh inning, sparked by another Lumsden double before Garcia singled and Hussey walked. West grounded out to scrape one run across, then King crushed the first home run of his career, a three-run blast that put the Mountaineers ahead 11-2.

49ers shortstop Brandon Stahlman answered with a three-run homer of his own, taking advantage of free passes via a hit batter and a walk to cut the lead to 11-5.

Charlotte continued to creep closer in the eighth, aided by a throwing error that allowed the leadoff man to reach—and two unearned runs to cross. Hussey hit a full count homer to lead off the frame, eliminating a potential save situation and giving some breathing room.

WVU Baseball moves to 3-2 on the season. They’ll play a doubleheader against the 49ers on Saturday, with Tyler Switalski and Hayden Cooper set to start on the mound in a pair of seven inning games.