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#22 West Virginia Mountaineers: 7
Virginia Tech Hokies: 2
After dropping 2 of 3 to the visiting TCU Horned Frogs over the weekend, all but ending WVU’s (29-17) (11-10 Big XII) chances of hosting a regional, they rebounded nicely on Wednesday in a 7-2 win over the Virginia Tech Hokies (25-25) (8-19 ACC) in Blacksburg.
Nick Snyder was brilliant once again, and the Mountaineers offense was seeing the ball really well as they came alive on Wednesday evening.
In the 2nd inning, Kevin Brophy nailed a 2-run HR to left field that scored Ivan Gonzalez, making it 2-0 WVU early. He then had a RBI-groundout in the 3rd, pushing the lead to 3-0.
9-hole hitter Tevin Tucker earned his 18th RBI of the season on a single to left field in the 4th, making it 4-0 Mountaineers and giving Snyder more than enough room to work.
Snyder threw 6.1 innings, giving up just 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, and he struck out 12. Everybody is talking about how dominant Alek Manoah has been this season (and for good reason), but Nick Snyder has been phenomenal as well. In 48.1 innings, he has 75 strikeouts, and guys are batting just .163 against him. If WVU makes the NCAA Tournament, Snyder will definitely be the starter in a few of those games.
Another 3 strikeouts for Nick Snyder in the 6th! That's 12 today and Snyder leaves a runner on first again.
— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) May 9, 2019
E-6, WVU 4, VT 1
https://t.co/FAomXgf1Y7
@WVUIMGSports, https://t.co/SamQiW2lZK #HailWV pic.twitter.com/XLTDMXMwrd
Virginia Tech got their 2 runs in unconventional ways: on a wild pitch in the 5th inning and on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch-RBI in the 7th.
Marques Inman put this one out of reach for the Hokies with a game-sealing 3-run HR in the 8th, making it 7-2 and sending WVU back to Morgantown in a good mood.
Goodbye baseball!!! Marques Inman launches his team-high-tying 8th home run of the season as WVU answers in the 8th!
— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) May 9, 2019
M-8, WVU 7, VT 2
https://t.co/FAomXgf1Y7
@WVUIMGSports, https://t.co/SamQiW2lZK #HailWV pic.twitter.com/mwoREaoNdE
The Mountaineers will head to the Little Apple (Manhattan, Kansas) this weekend for the final Big XII series of the regular season. WVU is currently 4th in the conference with an 11-10 record, behind #14 Baylor (14-6), #10 Texas Tech (14-7), and #18 Oklahoma State (10-8). Kansas State has had a rough season, going just 24-26 (7-11). If WVU can earn their first series sweep of the season this weekend, that may propel them back into contention to host a regional and potentially compete for a Big XII Championship.
Check back in to The Smoking Musket tomorrow for a full preview of the KState series. Let’s go, Mountaineers!