West Virginia Outlasts Oklahoma State for Big 12 Opening Win

The Mountaineers notch their first Big 12 Conference win of the season against the Cowboys

West Virginia University designated hitter Kyle West / Christopher Hall - West Virginia on SI

Stillwater, OK – After the first two games of the series were cancelled due to wildfires ravaging the State of Oklahoma, the West Virginia Mountaineers (16-1, 1-0) overcame four home runs to take the lone game of the three-game series against the Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-8) Sunday afternoon 8-6.

West Virginia hit three home runs on the day, starting with freshman Gavin Kelley solo blast in the top of the second inning. Then, senior Kyle West hit a two-out two-run blast over the grandstands to extend the lead, 3-0.

Oklahoma State sophomore Kollin Ritchie got a run back with a solo home run in the bottom of the frame to close the gap to two, 3-1.

West Virginia starting pitcher Griffin Kirn posted eight strikeouts through three innings, but senior Colin Brueggemann doubled off the left field wall before senior Ian Daughtery ripped a two-run home run and Ritchie followed with his second solo home run of the day to take a 4-3 advantage.

West Virginia tied the game in the fifth after senior Grant Hussey beat the shift with an opposite field line drive through the left side and a pair of walks loaded the bases before junior reliever Blake walked the tying run in.

Oklahoma State reclaimed the lead after loading the bases and sophomore Drew Culbertson laid down a bunt to squeeze the go-ahead run, 5-4.

The Mountaineers tied the game in the sixth when Kelley hit a leadoff single up the middle, junior Skylar King received a walk before West hit a high fly ball to centerfield as Ritchie tracked the ball but lost it in the sun to even the score at five.

Junior Brayden Smith smacked a leadoff home run in the bottom of the inning for the Cowboys’ fourth home run of the day for a 6-5 lead.

In the seventh, senior Brodie Kresser and junior Logan Sauve started the inning with singles to place runners at the corners before junior Sam Shite lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield, knotting the game at six, before senior Jace Rinehart lifted the 1-2 pitch over the right field wall for a two-home run and an 8-6 lead.

West Virginia sophomore Chase Meyer collected his fourth win of the season in relief. The right-hander came into the game in the sixth with one-out on the board and faced the minimum, recording a career-high nine strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work to hold on to the 8-6 decision.

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