WVU Takes Down Pitt in Extras – West Virginia University Athletics

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The West Virginia College baseball staff earned a 3-2 win over rival Pitt in 11 innings on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park.
 
WVU (23-12) grabbed the Yard Brawl victory on the residence of MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates with a collective effort on the mound, aggressive baserunning and execution on Panther miscues. Sophomore right-handed pitcher/utility Ben Abernathy earned the win, his first of the 12 months, whereas Pitt’s Brady Devereux took the loss for Pitt.
 
“It is enjoyable for our children to play (at PNC Park),” WVU coach Randy Mazey mentioned. “When the sport begins, it is all about profitable the sport, however, wanting again, that is an unbelievable expertise for our children to get to play right here.”
 
Freshman right-hander Aidan Main offered a great displaying in his first profession begin. The Mill Corridor, Pennsylvania, native did not permit successful in 3.0, scoreless frames. He struck out 5 and walked 4 in a no determination.
 
The Mountaineers struck first with a run within the high of the third inning, when redshirt junior infielder Tevin Tucker scored on a wild pitch. From there, WVU left two on base within the fourth and had been caught stealing residence to finish a scoring likelihood within the fifth.
 
Then, the Panthers (21-14) tied the sport at 1 within the backside half with a pair of two-out hits.
 
West Virginia rapidly retook the lead within the sixth, thanks largely to work carried out on the bottom paths. Redshirt junior catcher Dayne Leonard and freshman infielder Grant Hussey utilized a double steal and every took an additional base on a Pitt throwing error. Leonard crossed residence plate to present WVU a 2-1 benefit.
 
Pitt answered with an RBI triple to tie the sport at 2 within the backside of the sixth. Nevertheless, freshman right-hander Chris Sleeper received out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts with a runner at third.
 
On the plate, WVU received a pair of runners in scoring place within the eighth however did not money in. Within the ninth, the Mountaineers loaded the bases however, once more, had been turned away.
 
Moments later, fifth-year senior right-hander Trey Braithwaite received out of a bases-loaded scenario with the sport on the road within the backside of the ninth. The Winchester, Virginia, native registered an inning-ending strikeout to ship the sport into extras.
 
After each groups did not tally a run within the tenth, West Virginia discovered its breakthrough within the high of the eleventh. With a runner on second, freshman infielder JJ Wetherholt recorded an infield single, with the go-ahead run scoring on a UP throwing error.
 
In all, Pitt completed with 4 errors within the subject on Wednesday.
 
From there, Abernathy slammed the door within the backside half to assist WVU enhance to 4-0 all-time at PNC Park. The Warrior, Alabama, native struck out two and did not permit successful in 2.0 innings.
 
Senior outfielder Austin Davis led the offensive effort with a pair of hits, whereas Tucker scored two runs. Moreover, WVU stole 10 bases within the win.
 
“We have to discover a method to get hits with males in scoring place,” Mazey mentioned. “We get on base, we transfer across the bases, we run, we steal, however we’re having a bit of bother getting them in proper now.”
 
WVU used a complete of seven pitchers in opposition to the Panthers. The group mixed to strike out 14 batters and permit simply three hits.
 
The Mountaineer win evens the season sequence with the Panthers at 1-1. The 2 golf equipment are set to satisfy within the rubber recreation on Tuesday, Could 10, at Wagener Subject at Monongalia County Ballpark in Morgantown.
 
Up subsequent, the Mountaineers journey to Lubbock, Texas, for a three-game, Large 12 Convention sequence at No. 8 Texas Tech from April 22-24. First pitch of Friday’s sequence opener is ready for 7:30 p.m. ET.
 
For extra data on the Mountaineers, comply with @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Fb and Instagram.