Ben Lumsden creates NCAA Tournament magic for WVU for a second straight season

Ben Lumsden is earning a reputation as a "break glass in case of emergency" type of guy for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Last year, when the Mountaineers trailed by five runs multiple times in the Clemson Regional final, Lumsden was an offensive star for West Virginia despite making just six starts and batting .140 on the season.

He recorded two hits and four RBI against the Kentucky Wildcats to help lead the Mountaineers to a 13-12 win to advance to a NCAA Super Regional, and then added a home run and two RBI in a loss to LSU in the Super Regional.

Now, he was called upon for some postseason heroics again. With the Mountaineers in a tight game against Binghamton in the opening game of the regional, Lumsden stepped up once more despite making just 10 starts this season entering the contest.

After a home run from Matthew Graveline put the Mountaineers ahead 2-1 after trailing early, Lumsden stepped up to the plate and blasted his first home run of the season with two runners on base, driving home three runs to extend the lead to 5-1.

And he wasn't done yet, reaching base in the sixth inning before being sent home via a Gavin Kelly double. He finished the game 2-of-2 at the plate, drawing two walks, scoring two runs, and tallying three RBI. The Mountaineers would capture the victory 10-1 to open tournament play 1-0 and to move on in the winner's bracket.

“Every at-bat is the same, whether it's June or September, so you just try to win the division. That's it," Lumsden said of his performance.

"I was proud of Ben Lumsden for being in there in the biggest game of the season and performing at a high level," head coach Steve Sabins added.

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