The Mountaineers' Late Surge Buries Marshall

Charleston - The West Virginia Mountaineers (22-7) captured the season series over the Marshall Thundering Herd (13-13) with a 15-9 decision. Caleb McNeely led the Mountaineers at the plate with two, two-run home runs and Grant Hussey went 3-4 with three RBI's and a home run.

Sophomore Grant Hussey ripped a two-run home run in the top of the second to give the Mountaineers an early 2-0 advantage.

Marshall claimed the lead in the bottom of the third when Luke Edwards delivered a two-run home run to tie the game before a double, a walk and a single loaded the bases and WVU head coach Randy Mazey had seen enough from his starting pitcher Gavin Van Kempen and called out to Aidan Major from the bullpen, which became revolving door. A sacrifice ground ball to second from Calin Smith gave the Thundering Herd the lead, 3-2, before Major got out of the inning.

Ellis Garcia hit a leadoff double in the top of the fourth, then Landon Wallace placed a bunt towards third and a wild throw to force allowed Garcia to score, tying the game at three.

Chris Noble reclaimed the Thundering Herd lead in the bottom half of the frame with a solo home run to left field.

West Virginia produced three runs in the fifth after J.J. Wetherholt got the inning started with a one-out single and Braden Barry followed with an RBI double. Then, with two outs, Caleb McNeely smashed a two-run home run to cap off a three-run fifth and take a 6-4 advantage.

Christina Lucio gave Marshall a two-run lead in the bottom of the inning with a grand slam.

Freshman Sam White stepped in to pinch hit in the seventh with two outs and singled through the left side before back-to-back RBI doubles from Landon Wallace and Grant Hussey tied the game at eight.

Marshall regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single from Chris Noble, but the Mountaineers' offense continued to pour it on.

After three consecutive walks by Marshall reliever Drew Harlow, Dayne Leonard grounded into a double play but brought in a run on the contact, then Caleb McNeely blasted his second two-run homer of the evening taking the 11-9 lead.

West Virginia added three insurance runs in the ninth off of RBI singles from Tevin Tucker, Dayne Leonard and Braden Barry delieverd his second RBI double on the night for a 15-9 lead.

West Virginia closer Carlson Reed took the mound in the ninth for a 1-2-3 inning as the Mountaineers take the season series over the Herd with a 15-9 decision.

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