West Virginia Gets Even with Hofstra in Extra Innings

Morgantown, WV - The West Virignia Mountaineers (17-5) split the series with the Hofstra Pride (7-13) after a 6-5 ten-inning decision Wednesday evening. Freshman Sam White hit the game-winning single following a two-out double from Caleb McNeely.

Hofstra starting pitcher Sean Hamilton walked West Virginia leadoff hitter Braden Barry in the bottom of the first. Barry stole second and third and in-between Dayne Leonard was hit by a pitch. Barry was thrown out at home on

After WVU starting pitcher Gavin Van Kempen faced the minimum through two innings, he gave up a single and walked one to begin the third. Michael Florides moved the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt down the first baseline before Dylan Palmer hit the ball through the left side for a two-RBI single to tie the game at two.

West Virginia reclaimed the lead when Landon Wallace led the bottom of the fourth with a double and a bunt from Evan Smith placed runners at the corners, setting up Logan Sauve for the go-ahead RBI single.

In the fifth, Van Kempen walked two with two outs, ending his afternoon. Freshman right-hander Carson Ethridge took the mound, and on the 0-2 pitch, Ryan Morash dropped an RBI single, knotting the game at three.

Hofstra reliever Tristan Nemjo walked Sauve to begin the sixth before Braden Barry ripped a one-out double into left field. An intentional walk loaded the bases, then a wild pitch from Nemjo scored Sauve and the Mountaineers retained the lead 4-3.

With two outs and one on in the top of the eighth, Preseason All-CAA selection Kevin Bruggeman sent the ball well over the left field wall, claiming the Pride's first lead of the game 5-4.

In the bottom of the inning, J.J. Wetherholt lined a single into centerfield. The sophomore stole second, and the throw from catcher X was high and Wetherholt took third. Dayne Leonard was hit by the pitch, placing runners at the corners. Then, Caleb McNeely laid a bunt back to the pitcher and Wetherholt beat the throw to the plate, tying the game at five.

West Virginia put two runners on in the bottom of the ninth but Hofstra ended the inning on a 4-6-3 double play and the game headed into extra innings.

Caleb McNeely hit a sharp ground ball that hopped over the head of Hofstra third baseman Ryan Morash for a two-out double, then Sam White dropped a single into centerfield as McNeely raced around third and into home and the Mountaineers fight back for the 6-5 victory.

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