By: Shanna Rose
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.–The West Virginia University baseball team extended its winning streak to 13 consecutive as the Mountaineers defeated Kennesaw State 16-2 on Friday afternoon at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
Sam White and Skylar King led WVU with four hits apiece. Jace Rinehart had two hits, including his second home run of the season.
Big 12 Co-Pitcher of the Week Griffin Kirn (3-0) tossed 5.1 innings, allowing two runs. He fanned six.
Braden Osbolt (0-1) suffered the loss for the Owls. He surrendered two runs on three hits.
Kennesaw State (5-10) scored just two runs on four hits.
The Mountaineers (13-0) took a 1-0 lead in the second when Chase Swain singled up the middle, plating King. However, the Owls evened up the game in the third before WVU retook the lead with three runs in the bottom of the frame, including Rinehart’s two-run blast to center field.
In the fourth, the Mountaineers added on two more runs before blowing the game out of the water with a nine-run seventh.
This is the fourth-best start in program history for WVU and the best since 1964. The Mountaineers are one of just four undefeated teams remaining in the nation along with Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida State.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday for the second game of the series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
