Shanna Rose | WV Sport
STATESBORO, Ga.— In the second game of a doubleheader, West Virginia defeated Georgia Southern 5-2 on Saturday at J.I. Clements Stadium, completing a sweep of the Eagles.
Division II transfer right-handed pitcher Dawson Montesa earned the win in his Mountaineer debut, working six innings with seven strikeouts, no walks and two earned runs on 98 pitches. True freshman David Perez recorded his first collegiate save, striking out two while facing the minimum.
Catcher Matthew Graveline went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs, while shortstop Matt Ineich was 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
WVU jumped on Georgia Southern early. In the first inning, Ineich singled to left field, scoring Gavin Kelly.
Graveline followed with a deep solo homer in the second, his second of the day.
The Eagles responded quickly. Max Prozny shot a single up the middle to cut the deficit to 2-1. Sammy Leis then delivered a base hit that scored Prozny and tied the game.
Georgia Southern starter Chase Davis exited in the third inning due to injury, with left-hander Jansen Kenty taking over. Kenty held the Mountaineers in check for two innings, but WVU loaded the bases in the fifth before Will Holder got Armani Guzman to pop out, ending the threat.
The score remained tied until the seventh, when Graveline and Paul Schoenfeld each drew walks to force in runs.
The Mountaineers added an insurance run in the ninth as Graveline ripped a single down the right-field line, scoring Guzman.
Perez retired the side to secure the win.
WVU travels to Liberty on Friday for a three-game series.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
