West Virginia defeated Kansas 4-0 on Saturday to claim their third-straight victory and second against Kansas, taking game two of the series.
West Virginia starter Derek Clark was masterful in the victory, throwing a complete game and shutout with 123 total pitches, where he stuck out seven batters, allowing just three hits and two walks. Clark now has a sub-two ERA on the season with a 1.70 and picked up his third win, now holding a record of 3-0.
After 21 runs came across to score between both teams in Friday’s contest, including a combined four home runs, it was more small-ball and a pitcher’s duel on Saturday. Both teams combined for just three extra-base hits, with one double for West Virginia and two for Kansas.
Brodie Kresser was 4-for-4 at the plate for the Mountaineers, with three singles and a double. He scored two runs while driving in another.
Although he allowed three runs, Kansas’ starter, freshman Dominic Voegele turned in a quality start pitching six innings. He allowed just one extra-base hit and fanned seven.
It was a quiet first inning with neither team recording a hit, but in the second West Virginia would strike first scoring two. The first run came on a double steal, where Kresser stole home, followed up by a Spencer Barnett RBI single.
The Mountaineers would build their lead in the fourth after back-to-back bunts to get two men on. JJ Wetherholt continued his success since returning from injury by driving in a run on a single, making the game 3-0. Wetherholt drove in what would be the winning run in WVU’s 11-10 win on Friday, where he was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
It wasn’t until the eighth that the next run of the game would be scored. The Mountaineers had two men when Kresser picked up his fourth hit of the day and got an RBI to pull West Virginia further ahead 4-0.
WVU improves to 18-12 overall and 7-5 in conference play, while Kansas falls to 15-13 with a 7-7 record in Big 12 play. The Mountaineers will look for the series sweep on Sunday, with first pitch set for 12:30 EST.
