By: Shanna Rose
COLUMBUS–Armani Guzman’s stellar late-game catch helped the West Virginia University baseball team holds off Ohio State 9-4 on Tuesday night at Bill Davis Stadium.
The play of the night came in the bottom of the seventh. With one runner on base and no outs, Buckeye first baseman Ryan Miller drove the ball deep to right field. Right fielder Guzman tracked the ball all the way to the wall and jumped up and grabbed it out of the air, robbing Miller of a two-run home run. Then Guzman threw a strike to first base to double-up the runner for the second out of the frame.
Logan Sauve led the Mountaineers (23-4) with three hits and three RBI. Skylar King, Chase Swain and Spencer Barnett each had two hits.
The Buckeyes (8-17) took a 1-0 lead in the first on a Lee Ellis home run. However, WVU tied the game in the top of the second when Brodie Kresser scored on a wild pitch.
OSU retook the lead in the bottom of the second Matthew Graveline’s solo homer.
In the third, Sauve’s base hit through the left side plated King. Then Barnett’s single gave the Mountaineers a 4-2 advantage before Sauve drove in two more runs.
The Buckeyes added two runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it a 6-4 contest.
WVU added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to take a 9-4 lead. OSU added a run in each of the seventh and eighth innings. Reese Bassinger came back out in the ninth and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to secure the win.
The Mountaineers return home to Kendrick Family Ballpark to face Pitt on Wednesday. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. (ET).
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
