By: Shanna Rose
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.–The West Virginia University baseball team dropped a 6-4 decision to Arizona on Friday at Kendrick Family Ballpark in a 16-inning marathon. It was longest home game in history and second-longest in program history.
The Mountaineers (18-2, 1-1 Big 12) rallied from a 4-0 deficit to force extra innings.
WVU had an opportunity to walk-off the game in the 11th, 13th, 14th, and 15th but stranded baserunners in each of those innings.
With two outs and bases loaded in the 16th, Richie Morales singled up the middle, knocking in two runs and giving the Wildcats a 6-4 lead.
In the bottom half of the frame, the Mountaineers went down in order.
Skylar King had three hits, including the game-tying base hit in the ninth. Logan Sauve and King each led WVU with two RBI.
Arizona (17-4, 4-0) scored two runs in the second and third innings to take a 4-0 lead.
The Mountaineers scored one run in the fourth and two in the sixth before tying the game in the ninth.
WVU relievers tossed 11 scoreless innings. Benjamin Hudson went 3.1 innings with five strikeouts. Robby Porco fanned three in 2.2 scoreless frames. Jack Kartsonas pitched 1.1 innings with three strikeouts.
Chase Meyer suffered the loss after giving up the two runs in the 16th. He had five strikeouts in five innings of action.
The two teams return to action on Saturday for game two of the series. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
