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Jackson Wolf took the hill for the Mountaineers in the second series of the season and the team’s ace looked every part of that moniker, as he finished the game with a line of 7.0 IP with 4 strikeouts and 1 walk. Wolf gave up 5 hits on the day and only threw 75 pitches. Teammates Victor Scott and Dominic Ragazzo did most of the damage offensively, combining to go 5-7 with 2 doubles and a homerun with 3 runs scored. Third basemen Kevin Brophy also had a big day, homering in the 7th inning and then doubling in the 8th inning. Brophy finished the day 2-5 with four RBIs.
The Kennessaw State Owls defense continually struggled during the day, giving up four errors, leading to four unearned runs. Starting pitcher Luke Tolbert struggled, going only 4.0 inning. He hit two batters and gave up 9 hits, including 4 for extra bases. His defense let him down, though.
The Mountaineers would get on the board early when leadoff hitter Austin Davis reached on an throwing error in the bottom of the first. He then stole second before Matt McCormick popped out. Davis would then steal third, and score when Vince Ippoliti grounded out. The stolen bases were another theme of the day - West Virginia stole 6 in the game.
West Virginia would add another run in the second inning before breaking the game wide open in the third. Matt McCormick continued his hot hitting, stroking a homerun down the right field line. Then the ‘Eers played small ball as Ippoliti singled, the Victor Scott bunted for a single and Ragazzo singled. A throwing error would allow Ippoliti to score. Scott and Ragazzo would score on ground outs to make it 6-0.
Those runs would be more than enough for Jackson Wolf who cruised through the Owls lineup. Mazey elected to pull his ace after 7 innings, giving way to “Slim Reaper” Daniel Ouderkirk. Ouderkirk would give up two runs in his one inning of work as the Owls led off with back to back doubles. “Slim” would settle down and get the next three batters.
In the ninth inning, after the Mountaineers tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth, Tim Wynia came on and got two quick outs before giving up a solo homerun. He would strike out the last batter of the game.
West Virginia will take on Coastal Carolina tomorrow. Adam Tulloch is expected to start.