West Virginia baseball completed a second consecutive doubleheader sweep in as many weekends on Sunday in the midst of a four-game series against Lipscomb.
After WVU's first win over the Bison on Friday, the Mountaineers are red hot and off to an undefeated start to their season with six consecutive wins.
Big Pitching Effort Secures Opening Contest of Doubleheader
The Mountaineers got the day started with a shoutout, blanking Lipscomb 5-0. Outstanding pitching carried the load for the Mountaineers while a couple of home runs provided the support needed offensively.
Coming into the season, many WVU fans were curious how this pitching staff was going to look after a pair of former starters (Aidan Major and Derek Clark) were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft. But it's been a case of 'so far, so good' for the Mountaineer pitchers early in the year.
Junior Robby Porco got the starting nod in Game Two of the series and the opening contest of the doubleheader, and had a no-hitter going through the first 3.1 innings before a one-out double in the bottom of the fourth spoiled the no-hit bid. Porco finished with a stat line of 3.2 innings pitched, zero runs allowed, one hit, five walks, and five strikeouts.
Sophomore pitcher Chase Meyer was fantastic in his relief outing in the first game of the doubleheader. Meyer was thrust into a high-pressure situation when he entered the bottom of the fourth with bases loaded and a 2-0 count against a Lipscomb hitter. Meyer escaped the intense situation, getting a strikeout looking on an amazing breaking ball.
Meyer worked a fabulous 3.1 innings with zero runs allowed, one hit, two walks, and five strikeouts. Meyer earned his first win in the young season with his great outing and escaping the pressure-filled bottom of the fourth.
WVU Starts Hot in Second Game of Doubleheader, Cruises To Win
The Mountaineer offense got out to an early lead in the nightcap of the doubleheader and Game Three of the series, and they were able to ride out some later Lipscomb rallies to secure the win. Michael Perazza started the game for WVU and knocked a solo home run out of the park in the top of the first inning -- it was first pitch that Perazza saw on the day.
Gavin Van Kempen earned the starting nod on the mound, and he and the Mountaineer relievers were able to keep the Lipscomb offense at bay enough to keep WVU perfect on the season. Only Carson Estridge was needed for WVU to close the doubleheader sweep.
Offensively for the Mountaineers, timely hitting from multiple players was key. No WVU hitter recorded more than one hit, as the team only compiled six team hits during the game.
Perazza drilled the solo homer in the first to begin the scoring. WVU added one in the top of the fifth after Lipscomb had tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the previous inning. Logan Sauve continued his good start to the season, getting a single and was brought home to score on the next batter as Sam White ripped a double to allow a Sauve run.
Armani Guzman also made an impact on the bases during the contest. Guzman reached on a walk in the top of the seventh. The speedy utility player then stole second base and eventually scored on a wild pitch, reclaiming the lead 3-2 for the Mountaineers.
Catcher Gavin Kelly collected his first collegiate hit in the top of the eighth before Brodie Kresser drove him in with a two-out RBI single. Meanwhile, Skylar King continued his added to his early season success -- while only contributing one hit, the junior outfielder reached base three times with one hit and two walks.
Starting pitcher Van Kempen had another solid outing. After being named to the third-team Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, there has been a lot of pressure and anticipation on the junior pitcher.
Van Kempen started his outing by retiring the first nine batters in order for the Lipscomb Bisons. The junior righty recorded a final line of 4.1 innings pitched with two earned runs allowed, two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. He also made a nice defensive play in the bottom of the fourth covering the first base bag on a ball hit to the first baseman.
Estridge was once again clutch for the Mountaineers. Estridge seems to be the guy that WVU will turn to eat some innings out of the pen in a long-reliever role. Bases loaded, in a 2-2 game in the bottom of the fifth inning, Estridge was able to get two outs to strand the bases loaded. He finished with a final line of 4.2 innings, zero runs allowed, four hits, one walk, and five strikeouts while being named the winning pitcher.
The Mountaineers will look to get out of Nashville with their second series sweep in as many weekend outings. If WVU can claim the series finale, they will be 7-0 on the season and feel great returning to Morgantown for their home opener this coming week. Game 4 will start at Noon EST Monday with the starting pitcher for WVU still unannounced.