[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]
On Sunday against No. 3 Oklahoma State, West Virginia made three errors which cost them a chance at the upset.
Three days later on Wednesday afternoon, West Virginia was able to capitalize on four Pitt errors, including a crucial error on a glove flip in the 11th inning, as the Mountaineers beat Pitt in the Backyard Brawl.
As the sun shined down at PNC Park on Wednesday, the Mountaineers were in a very familiar setting. Playing their fourth game at PNC Park, West Virginia had never lost a game at the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and that continued on Wednesday.
Just like the Mountaineers had done in their two most recent losses, they started out slow offensively. Pitt starter Jonathan Bautista retired six of the first seven Mountaineers in order, and was causing through the first two innings. In the third, Tevin Tucker got things started with a one-out single, while Austin Davis followed Tucker with a single of his own. With one out, JJ Wetherholt grounded into a fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corner with two outs. Then, the freshman Bautista flinched, throwing a wild pitch and allowing Tucker to score.
In the fifth inning, the Mountaineers tried to add to their 1-0 lead. With runners on second and third, the Mountaineers tried to have Tucker steal home. Originally Tucker was called out, and due to the game being played at PNC Park, there was no video review available when it looked as though the ball was on the ground. The umpires convened and called Tucker out to end the inning.
On the flip side, things also started out well for West Virginia’s Aidan Major who was making his first career collegiate start. Major dominated through the first three innings, striking out five Panther hitters in the process. In the fourth, Major walked the first batter he faced, before being relieved by Zach Ottinger.
In the fifth, Ottinger was able to get two quick outs, but gave up back-to-back hits to tie the game at 1-1.
The Mountaineers and Panthers would then go back-and-forth in the sixth inning, with West Virginia scoring as they forced the issue again on the base paths. Dayne Leonard broke for third base, forcing the Pitt pitcher Tyler Kennedy to step off. Kennedy then overthrew third base, allowing Leonard to score.
Pitt would get the run right back however, as Chris Sleeper gave up a walk and then a triple, tying the game at two.
Things would go to extra innings, but not without a lack of drama. In the ninth inning, both teams intentionally loaded the bases with two outs, but then both got out of it. In the tenth inning, West Virginia had a one out triple from Nathan Blasick, but were unable to get him home, stranding Blasick at third. In the bottom half of the inning, Ben Abernathy was able to limit Pitt, stranding a runner at second.
In the eleventh inning, the Mountaineers took advantage of more Panther miscues. Tucker reached on a throwing error, and then advanced to second on a ground out by Davis. Wetherholt then hit a soft dribbler between the first and second basemen, forcing the Pitt second baseman to attempt to scoop the ball to the pitcher covering, but the ball went over the pitcher’s head, allowing Tucker to score and Wetherholt to reach second base.
In the bottom of the inning, it was Abernathy (1-0) again, retiring the Panthers in order and securing the win for West Virginia.
The Mountaineers used seven different pitchers, allowing three hits, but walked 12 Pitt batters on the day.
West Virginia will be back in Big 12 play this weekend, traveling to No. 8 Texas Tech for a three-game series.
Photo by Amanda Boring
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
