Lumsden Lifts Mountaineers Past Stetson

DeLand, FL - West Virgina right fielder Benjamin Lumsden went 3-4 with a pair of home runs, including the go-ahead two run blast in the top of the eighth to lift the Mountaineers (1-0) past the Stetson Hatters (0-1) Friday night 6-4 in the season opener.

Junior right hander Aidan Major was the opening day starter for the Mountaineers. He went six innings and allowed three runs on three hits and struck out seven in his 2024 debut.

The Preseason Big 12 Baseball Player of the Year JJ Wetherholt was 1-3 with three stolen bases and two runs. The junior scored the game's first run after working a walk to open the game, stole a pair of bases before Sam White brought him home with a single back up the middle. White finished the evening 3-5 with an RBI.

West Virginia grabbed an early 4-1 lead behind a two run second inning. It was Lumsden putting the Mountaineers up 2-0 with a solo home run over centerfield and Wetherholt delivering a single, then stealing second and Logan Suave bringing him home with an infield RBI single.

Stetson climbed within a run after Jayden Hylton hit a two-run home run in the sixth and Evan Griffis' solo shot in the seventh tied the game at four.

Benjamin Lumsden delivered the game-winning home run in the top of the eight on the 2-2- pitch with two outs for a 6-4 lead.

Hambleton Oliver collected the win in two and two third hitless innings in relief. The graduate Baylor transfer recorded three strikeouts in his Mountaineer debut.

West Virginia and Stetson will meet in game two of the series Saturday morning, with the first pitch set for 10:30 a.m.

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