By: Shanna Rose
HOUSTON, Texas– Behind excellent pitching, the West Virginia University baseball team defeated Houston 9-2 in the opening game of the three-game series on Friday night.
Griffin Kirn and Reese Bassinger combined to pitch a complete game, five-hit gem for the Mountaineers (28-4, 8-3 Big 12). Kirn earned his fourth win while Bassinger picked up his fifth save.
Logan Sauve and Skylar King led WVU with three hits each. Chase Swain drove in three runs.
Paul Schmitz suffered the loss for the Cougars (19-15, 5-8). He pitched 3.2 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits.
Brodie Kresser led off the second inning with a double and scored on Swain’s infield single to give the Mountaineers a 1-0 lead.
In the fourth, Swain tripled to left field, scoring Grant Hussey. Swain then scored on a fielding error before Kyle West was issued a bases-loaded walk. Then Jace Rinehart’s base hit through the left side made it a 5-0 contest.
Houston got a run back in the bottom of the inning.
Swain’s sacrifice fly in the fifth made it a 6-1 game. The Cougars added a run in the bottom of the frame on Cade Climie’s solo home run.
Kyle West’s base hit gave WVU a 7-2 lead in the sixth inning.
The Mountaineers added two runs in the eighth.
The two teams play Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
Photo Credit: Shanna Rose
