West Virginia headed to Waco for a three game series against the Baylor Bears, and after a rain delay, used a two run eighth inning to come from behind and win the opening game of the series 5-4.
Sophomore Ben Hampton got the start for WVU, going six innings, allowing seven hits, all four Baylor runs and striking out four. Aidan Major came in to relieve Hampton and pitched two hitless innings to earn his third win of the season. Carlson Reed came in for the ninth inning and struck out two in a scoreless inning to record his fifth save of the inning.
Braden Barry led the offense for the Mountaineers, recording two hits, including a double and triple while scoring two runs. Dayne Leonard and Evan Smith each recorded two RBI’s on the night, with Tevin Tucker recording one as well.
West Virginia struck for the first two runs of the game in the first inning, after a hit by pitch, walk and an error set WVU up with runners on second and third with two outs. Dayne Leonard came through with a single to score two runs and give the Mountaineers a 2-0 lead.
West Virginia found themselves with runners on second and third again in the second inning after a Braden Barry double and Sam White single with one out, but this time a sacrifice bunt by Tevin Tucker scored White from third and increased WVU’s lead.
Baylor got a run back in the bottom of the second inning after two singles set them up with runners on the corners with one out and John Ceccoli hit a sacrifice fly to cut the WVU lead to 3-1.
Baylor used a two out rally in the fourth to get another run back, after a Jack Johnson single led to a Ceccoli double and his second RBI of the night.
A single and a double set the Bears up with runners on second and third to begin the bottom of the sixth inning, but Hampton was able to get a ground ball and flyout without a run scoring. Casey Sunseri hit a double down the left field line to score two runs and give Baylor their first lead of the night at 4-3.
West Virginia threatened in the top of the seventh inning, getting runners on second and third with two outs, but a strikeout ended the threat.
An error started a West Virginia rally in the top of the eighth inning, letting Grant Hussey get to second base. A Barry walk was followed by a Evan Smith double down the right field line, and a throwing error allowed Hussey and Barry to score and give WVU the lead back at 5-4.
The Mountaineers threatened again with runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth, but were unable to add any insurance runs. Carlson Reed made sure it didn’t matter, retiring the Bears in order in the bottom of the ninth, including two strikeouts.
West Virginia will be back in action on Saturday afternoon for game two of the three series, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.
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