Estridge

Playing three games in the baseball-friendly weather that featured temperatures in the mid-80s, the league-leading Mountaineers posted wins in games that were non-related in how they played out.

West Virginia rode the skillful pitching of Griffin Kirn, Reese Bassinger, Chase Meyer and Carson Estridge to a 4-1 win in the series opener. Pitching had to take ownership of the game, because West Virginia managed only one hit on the night.

Sam White, Brodie Kresser and Spencer Barnett all had sacrifice flies. Kyle West had WVU’s lone hit, as the team still won because it stole five bases and turned three double plays.

Kirn pitched the first 4.2 innings, allowing four hits and being touched for only an unearned run. Bassinger went the next 1.2 innings and wasn’t scored upon. Meyer was in charge in his 1.2 innings of work, allowing no runs. Eastridge received credit for a save by pitching a scoreless ninth.

Bassinger

On Saturday night in 86 degree temps, the marathon four hour and 43 minute struggle saw the Mountaineers outlast the Knights, 15-10.

West Virginia’s five-run first was nearly matched by UCF’s four-run outburst. The runs just kept coming and WVU would use eight pitchers in trying to find the ways to make its runs hold scant leads.

Kyle West went 3-for-3 and Brodie Kresser was 3-for-5. Grant Hussey had a two-hit game as did Skylar King.

Gavin Kelly drove in three runs and Ben Lumsden had only one at-bat but it was a key three-run home run.

The run-run Moutaineers stole three bases,

Kirn

Meyer received credit for the win and Eastridge got still another save.

The WVU pitching cadre actually threw 197 pitches.

After the marathon second game, Sunday’s close-out of the series was another game that was completely different than its predecessors.

West Virginia’s tense 4-3 win was attained in grind-out fashion. Starting pitcher Jack Kartsonas was able to get through his 6.2 innings of staff-saving innings in his own competitive way. He allowed three runs and fanned five in giving the beleaguered pitching staff some rest. Ben McDougal went 2.2 innings of scoreless work and used just 17 pitches. He received credit for a save.

Jace Rinehart had two doubles and three RBIs. King scored two runs.

Meyer

WVU’s three-run fifth saw Rinehart double in two runs with his shot off the centerfield wall. White’s RBI single then scored Rinehart.

West Virginia’s 16-3 conference record is three games better than second-place Kansas and its six losses can show. The Mountaineers now have a Top 10 national record of 37-5 to take into a mid-week game in Charleston, against Marshall University, and into this weekend in Morgantown, against visiting Texas Tech.

West