After scoring 10 runs on Thursday night, West Virginia’s offense had no answer for BYU’s pitching on Friday.
In game two of the series and game one of the doubleheader, the Mountaineers couldn’t piece together anything on offense, while they hurt themselves on defense at the same time, falling 4-1.
West Virginia gave the ball to David Hagaman for his first start of 2024, and he didn’t disappoint. Hagaman wouldn’t allow a hit until the third inning, and was able to keep the Cougars off balance early.
BYU started to threaten in the fourth inning, but WVU got two outs on a strikeout before the batter was called for interference to get two outs on the play. BYU would use a two-out rally to get on the board, with Cooper Vest doubling, and then scoring on a wild pitch which catcher Sam White threw to third, but the throw bounced and went into left field, allowing Cooper to score.
BYU plated their second run in the fifth inning, as Hagaman walked the leadoff batter, before he got moved over to second on a groundout. Keoni Painter made Hagaman pay for the walk, singling and doubling BYU’s lead to make it 2-0.
WVU’s offense would be shut down by starting pitcher Bryce Robinson.
Robinson would pitch into the seventh inning, tossing 6.1 innings, giving up one run on five hits and striking out four.
The only run that Robinson gave up was a solo home run to Spencer Barnett in the sixth inning, which Barnett deposited into the WVU bullpen beyond the right field fence, cutting the lead to 2-1.
Kyle West would drop a double in between three BYU defenders which ended Robinson’s day. In came Mason Olson for the Cougars, who WVU was able to get to yesterday.
Olson would be perfect for BYU, getting two strikeouts of Nick Barone and Michael Perazza to end the inning and the threat.
BYU’s offense gifted Olson a run for his efforts in both the eighth and ninth innings, as after reaching on a hit by pitch, Collin Reuter scored on a single. In the ninth, Reuter singled with the bases loaded to plate another as BYU led 4-1.
Carson Estridge came in to relieve Hagaman, and gave WVU three innings, allowing two hits, and striking out six. Tommy Beam came in for the ninth, allowing three hits and a run. Hagaman (0-2) finished with eight strikeouts in five innings, giving up one earned run.
Olson finished the game off for BYU, pitching the final 2.2 innings, and striking out six in the process.
WVU brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, and Grant Hussey came off the bench to pinch hit. Hussey put up a fight, but struck out to end the game.
