By: Shanna Rose
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.–Chase Meyer struck out the final batter of the game as No. 24 West Virginia defeated Cincinnati 3-2 on Thursday night at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
With two outs and a runner on third, Meyer struck out Tommy O’Connor swinging. However, the ball got away from catcher Logan Sauve, allowing a run to score. After reviewing the play, the ball bounced off O’Connor after he swung and the Mountaineers locked up the win.
Meyer (7-1) came on in the sixth and earned the win. He shutout the Bearcats and struck out five batters while giving up just one hit. Starting pitcher Griffin Kirn tossed 5.2 innings and surrendered two runs on five hits while fanning six.
Jace Rinehart had two hits and drove in two runs for WVU.
Nathan Taylor suffered the loss for Cincinnati (21-16, 8-8). He went six innings and gave up three runs on four hits and struck out four.
In the first, the Mountaineers took a 1-0 lead on a single from Rinehart, scoring Kyle West.
The Bearcats responded in the third and with the bases loaded, Donovan Ford’s base hit to right center gave Cincinnati a 2-1 lead.
However, WVU answered in the bottom of the frame. Spencer Barnett reached on a base hit, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then tied the game 2-2 on a wild pitch.
In the bottom of the sixth, Rinehart laced a double down the left field line, scoring West and giving the Mountaineers a 3-2 lead.
From then on the two teams battled it out on the mound.
Game two of the series is Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Gavin Van Kempen will get the nod for WVU and Kellen O’Connor will star for the Bearcats.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
