A week makes a world of difference in the game of baseball and No. 22 West Virginia felt that on Sunday.
After winning seven consecutive Big 12 games and rising to first place the league, the Mountaineers lost twice on Sunday, falling 6-4, and 3-1 to Texas Tech as they were swept by the Red Raiders.
For West Virginia, their offense struggled throughout the day on Sunday, as they were unable to push runs across after getting many runners on. WVU was 5-for-22 with runners in scoring position, and they felt the struggles of that no more than in the ninth inning of game one.
WVU loaded the bases down two in the ninth, but would strand all three runners on base. Brodie Kresser struck out swinging, and Ellis Garcia flew out to end the game and secure Tech’s 6-4 win.
The Mountaineers totaled nine hits in the first game Sunday, none bigger than a double from Kyle West in the fifth. However, West’s double would not score two runs, as Reed Chumley was placed on third base after the Tech ball boy picked up the live ball and the umpires placed Chumley on third when he would have likely scored.
WVU had the bases loaded in the next inning, as Sam White walked to plate a run, and then the inning ended on a double play with the bases loaded.
Derek Clark got the start in game one, tossing 5.2 innings, giving up 12 hits, five runs, and striking out four.
In game two, WVU’s offense couldn’t muster much as they had eight total hits, but once again struggled to get them in. The Mountaineers had three opportunities to score a run from third with less than two outs, but failed to do so each time.
WVU seemed to be in prime position to score more than just one in the second inning, but a review would change things. Grant Hussey was on first and Kresser hit a ground ball to second, where Hussey would not slide, and was called to have beat the throw. Then, the throw was wild to try and get Kresser out at first.
After a review though, both runners would be called out. The next batter walked and then singled, before JJ Wetherholt got an RBI single, but it could’ve been more for the Mountaineers.
WVU struck out 21 times on Sunday in both games, as they were swept for the first time all season.
