Clutch Hitting, Shutout Pitching Lead WVU
CHARLESTON, S.C. (February 20, 2016) – A four-run fourth inning and shutout pitching fueled the West Virginia University baseball team to a 5-0 victory at Charleston Southern this afternoon in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Mountaineers (1-1) benefited from a pair of clutch hits, aggressive base running and five shutout innings from senior starter Ross Vance to even the season-opening series with the Buccaneers (1-1). WVU scored five runs on nine hits with two errors, while CSU was held scoreless with five hits and an error.
“That was as good of a team victory we’ve had since I’ve been here,” fourth-year coach Randy Mazey said. “We played great defense, we pitched really well and had some really timely hitting. Some of the older guys in the lineup sacrificed some personal goals to try and help the team win, which was encouraging.”
Junior catcher Ray Guerrini was one of four Mountaineers with two hits, with a two-run double with the bases loaded in the fourth inning scoring the first runs of the game. Sophomore left fielder Caleb Potter also notched two hits, including his first home run of the season, a leadoff blast in the sixth inning.
“Ray’s double was the play of the game, it set the tone for the rest of the game,” Mazey said. “Ray’s seeing the ball really well now. Beyond what he’s seeing at the plate, he’s shown great leadership, he’s catching really well and keeping the team together. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
On the mound, Vance threw five shutout innings to earn his first victory of the year. He was followed by three scoreless frames from junior righty Brandon Boone and freshman right-hander Michael Grove, making his WVU debut, fired a hitless ninth to secure the win.
The Mountaineers had runners reach base in the second and third innings, but couldn’t send them home. That changed in the fourth inning, when West Virginia scored four.
Freshman second baseman Cole Austin led off with a single down the left field line, and junior first baseman Jackson Cramer walked. WVU loaded the bases with no outs when Potter drew a walk. Guerrini then lined a double down the left field line to score Austin and Cramer.
After sophomore designated hitter Shaun Corso struck out, senior center fielder KC Huth and the Mountaineers got aggressive with the bat. Huth laid down a bunt to the right side, scoring Potter from third and Guerrini from second.
The four-run fourth was all the offense the Mountaineers would need, but WVU added another run in the sixth inning when Potter launched a leadoff home run to left field. It was Potter’s first home run of the season and the second West Virginia long ball in as many games to open the year.
Vance allowed no runs on four hits with one strikeout and one walk. Vance allowed one baserunner in the first and second innings and two runners reached in the third and fifth, but Vance and the WVU defense prevented any runs to score.
In relief of Vance, Boone pitched three innings, allowing no runs on no hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Grove preserved the shutout with a scoreless ninth inning, walking one but allowing no hits and striking out one.
Along with Guerrini and Potter, Corso and freshman shortstop Jimmy Galusky each recorded two hits. Galusky’s double in the fourth inning was the first hit of his career.
The series concludes on Sunday at 10 a.m.at Joseph P. Riley Park. Live stats can be found at CSUsports.com, and updates and notes from the team’s trip to Charleston, South Carolina, will be available on social media by following and connecting with @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Notes: WVU improved to 10-5 all-time vs. Charleston Southern and 7-5 in Charleston, South Carolina … The series concludes on Sunday at 10 a.m. … With a fourth-inning walk, junior first baseman Jackson Cramer extended his team-high and career-best reached base streak to 22 games, dating back to last season … Redshirt-freshman shortstop Jimmy Galusky’s fourth-inning double was the first hit of his collegiate career … Sophomore left fielder Shaun Corso’s sixth-inning home run was his first of the season and fifth of his career … Senior left-hander Ross Vance earned his first win of the season and pitched five innings and allowed no runs on four hits with one strikeout and one walk … Junior right-hander Brandon Boone pitched three scoreless innings in relief and allowed one hit with five strikeouts and no walks … Freshmen Michael Grove, Marques Inman, Ivan Vera, Braden Zarbnisky and Jimmy Galusky all made their collegiate debuts in the win.
Season and single game tickets for the 2016 WVU baseball season are on sale now. Fans can join the excitement of WVU baseball and contribute to the home field advantage at Monongalia County Ballpark by calling 1-800-WVU GAME, purchasing tickets at WVUGAME.com or visiting the Mountaineer Ticket Office at the WVU Coliseum. More information on season tickets and the 30-game home schedule can be found atWVUsports.com, while single game ticket information is available here.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow WVU Baseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (February 20, 2016) – A four-run fourth inning and shutout pitching fueled the West Virginia University baseball team to a 5-0 victory at Charleston Southern this afternoon in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Mountaineers (1-1) benefited from a pair of clutch hits, aggressive base running and five shutout innings from senior starter Ross Vance to even the season-opening series with the Buccaneers (1-1). WVU scored five runs on nine hits with two errors, while CSU was held scoreless with five hits and an error.
“That was as good of a team victory we’ve had since I’ve been here,” fourth-year coach Randy Mazey said. “We played great defense, we pitched really well and had some really timely hitting. Some of the older guys in the lineup sacrificed some personal goals to try and help the team win, which was encouraging.”
Junior catcher Ray Guerrini was one of four Mountaineers with two hits, with a two-run double with the bases loaded in the fourth inning scoring the first runs of the game. Sophomore left fielder Caleb Potter also notched two hits, including his first home run of the season, a leadoff blast in the sixth inning.
“Ray’s double was the play of the game, it set the tone for the rest of the game,” Mazey said. “Ray’s seeing the ball really well now. Beyond what he’s seeing at the plate, he’s shown great leadership, he’s catching really well and keeping the team together. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
On the mound, Vance threw five shutout innings to earn his first victory of the year. He was followed by three scoreless frames from junior righty Brandon Boone and freshman right-hander Michael Grove, making his WVU debut, fired a hitless ninth to secure the win.
The Mountaineers had runners reach base in the second and third innings, but couldn’t send them home. That changed in the fourth inning, when West Virginia scored four.
Freshman second baseman Cole Austin led off with a single down the left field line, and junior first baseman Jackson Cramer walked. WVU loaded the bases with no outs when Potter drew a walk. Guerrini then lined a double down the left field line to score Austin and Cramer.
After sophomore designated hitter Shaun Corso struck out, senior center fielder KC Huth and the Mountaineers got aggressive with the bat. Huth laid down a bunt to the right side, scoring Potter from third and Guerrini from second.
The four-run fourth was all the offense the Mountaineers would need, but WVU added another run in the sixth inning when Potter launched a leadoff home run to left field. It was Potter’s first home run of the season and the second West Virginia long ball in as many games to open the year.
Vance allowed no runs on four hits with one strikeout and one walk. Vance allowed one baserunner in the first and second innings and two runners reached in the third and fifth, but Vance and the WVU defense prevented any runs to score.
In relief of Vance, Boone pitched three innings, allowing no runs on no hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Grove preserved the shutout with a scoreless ninth inning, walking one but allowing no hits and striking out one.
Along with Guerrini and Potter, Corso and freshman shortstop Jimmy Galusky each recorded two hits. Galusky’s double in the fourth inning was the first hit of his career.
The series concludes on Sunday at 10 a.m.at Joseph P. Riley Park. Live stats can be found at CSUsports.com, and updates and notes from the team’s trip to Charleston, South Carolina, will be available on social media by following and connecting with @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Notes: WVU improved to 10-5 all-time vs. Charleston Southern and 7-5 in Charleston, South Carolina … The series concludes on Sunday at 10 a.m. … With a fourth-inning walk, junior first baseman Jackson Cramer extended his team-high and career-best reached base streak to 22 games, dating back to last season … Redshirt-freshman shortstop Jimmy Galusky’s fourth-inning double was the first hit of his collegiate career … Sophomore left fielder Shaun Corso’s sixth-inning home run was his first of the season and fifth of his career … Senior left-hander Ross Vance earned his first win of the season and pitched five innings and allowed no runs on four hits with one strikeout and one walk … Junior right-hander Brandon Boone pitched three scoreless innings in relief and allowed one hit with five strikeouts and no walks … Freshmen Michael Grove, Marques Inman, Ivan Vera, Braden Zarbnisky and Jimmy Galusky all made their collegiate debuts in the win.
Season and single game tickets for the 2016 WVU baseball season are on sale now. Fans can join the excitement of WVU baseball and contribute to the home field advantage at Monongalia County Ballpark by calling 1-800-WVU GAME, purchasing tickets at WVUGAME.com or visiting the Mountaineer Ticket Office at the WVU Coliseum. More information on season tickets and the 30-game home schedule can be found atWVUsports.com, while single game ticket information is available here.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow WVU Baseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
