West Virginia Belts Appalachian State

Boone, NC - The West Virginia Mountaineers (11-4) pummeled the Appalachian State Mountaineers (8-7) 18-5 Wednesday evening and completed the two-game series sweep. It was the second 18 run effort in as many days for West Virginia and extended the winning streak to six.

Elliss Garcia led WVU at the plate, going 4-5 with a solo home run for one of his two RBIs on the day which capped off a four-run first inning while Dayne Leonard went 2-4 at the plate with four RBIs highlighted by a two RBI double in the ninth.

West Virginia held a 5-0 lead going into the third inning before starting freshman pitcher Gavin Van Kempen gave up four runs on three hits. Head coach Randy Mazey handed the ball to senior lefty Jake Carr. The St. Albans native recorded the final out of the inning. He tossed four innings, struck out two and collected his first win of the season.

Leonard gave West Virginia a two-run cushion with an RBI single in the fourth.

Junior Braden Barry extended his hitting streak to six and recorded his second triple of the season in the sixth inning, coupled with an RBI to give WVU a three-run advantage.

West Virginia added three runs in the seventh when Landon Wallace ripped an RBI double and recorded the third run of the frame stealing home for the second time of the season.

West Virginia broke the game up in the ninth with eight runs with Skylar King and Dayne Leonard both registering two RBI doubles as the Mountaineers coasted to an 18-5 decision.

West Virginia is back in action Friday evening as the Mountaineers head east in the Tarheel State to take on UNC-Greensboro in game one of a three-game series with the first pitch set for 4:00 p.m.

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