CLEMSON, S.C. – The West Virginia University baseball team secured a thrilling 4-3 win against Kentucky on Friday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. This victory propels the No. 2-seed Mountaineers into the winner’s bracket, where they are set to face the winner of the game between No. 1 (11) Clemson and No. 4 USC Upstate tomorrow at 6 p.m.
The game reached a nail-biting conclusion with the scored tied at three in the ninth inning. Sophomore player Guzman delivered a crucial sacrifice fly to bring senior teammate home from third base, igniting a wave of celebration among the Mountaineers. Guzman not only contributed with this pivotal play but also recorded two hits, an RBI, and a run scored in his first starting appearance since May 4.
On the mound, redshirt senior pitched a commendable 7.1 innings, surrendering three runs (only one earned) and striking out seven batters. The win was clinched by senior, who pitched the final 1.2 innings without allowing any runs.
The game featured a rocky start for the Mountaineers, as Kentucky initially led 3-0 in the fourth inning, thanks to a squeeze bunt and a critical error. West Virginia began to turn the tide in the fifth, capitalizing on a couple of errors that allowed them to score two runs. A double in the sixth inning followed by a sacrifice bunt helped even the game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
With this hard-fought victory, the Mountaineers displayed resilience and teamwork, proving their competitiveness at this level of play. Following their next game tomorrow, fans can stay updated on the Mountaineers by following @WVUBaseball on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
This victory not only boosts the Mountaineers’ confidence but also showcases their potential as they aim for a deep run in the tournament.