The WVU baseball team split with No. 2 TCU to open their three-game series. The rubber match is slated for Sunday at noon.
The 2,194 fans who came out to Monongalia County Ballpark Friday night were treated to one of the best wins in WVU baseball’s program history.
Tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth, sophomore Preston County native Jimmy Galusky doubled to right field, then was bunted over to third by freshman Brandon White. Two batters later, sophomore Ivan Gonzalez sent a shot out to left field, allowing Galusky to tag up for the walk-off winner.
Junior BJ Myers followed up his last stellar start with another gem. Through 8.1 innings, Myers gave up two earned runs, struck out six and surrendered six hits.
Through his 8.1 innings, Myers only gave up one unearned run, which came in the first inning. TCU managed to score three in the top of the ninth to send it to the home half.
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It was sophomore Braden Zarbnisky who picked up the win in 0.2 innings of relief. Myers attempted to go the distance, but gave up two runs in the top of the ninth, which included a solo home run from junior Horned Frog Evan Skoug.
Junior Kyle Davis led the way for the Mountaineers at the plate in Friday’s win, collecting two hits, one RBI and scoring one run. Sophomore catcher Ivan Gonzalez finished with two RBI’s, and sophomore Kyle Gray scored twice.
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On Saturday night, a record 3,415 fans came out but left disappointed as the ‘Eers fell, 8-6.
TCU did most of their damage in the eighth inning, scoring five runs. Throughout the game, WVU had leads of 5-0, 6-2 and then trailed 7-6 after the eighth.
Sophomore Michael Grove also followed up his last solid start to throw 7 strong innings against the Horned Frogs. Grove gave up six hits, struck out nine and was charged two earned runs.
Isaiah Kearns, Jackson Sigman, Cody Wood, Ryan McDonald and Kade Strowd all threw in relief for the Mountaineers. The group gave up five runs – four earned – in two combined innings.
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TCU threw five different pitchers at the Mountaineers as well, who in total only surrendered six hits. Davis, who had one of those six, had two RBI’s on the day, including a two-run homer in the third inning. Galusky managed one hit and two RBI’s, as well.
WVU should be ecstatic with their current starting pitching; Myers and Grove are both throwing lights-out right now and will continue to lead the charge into the postseason. With the starter yet to be named for Sunday’s game, the ‘Eers are expected to make an announcement prior to the noon first-pitch.