Shanna Rose | WV
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – No. 15 West Virginia’s offense went cold at the wrong time, falling 5-1 to No. 23 UCF in the series finale at Kendrick Family Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.
Matthew Robaugh had two hits for the Mountaineers, and Gavin Kelly had the lone RBI.
Chansen Cole (4-1) suffered the loss, giving up four runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings. Camden Wicker (3-1) picked up the win for the Knights while pitching seven innings of three-hit baseball.
Andrew Williamson gave UCF a 1-0 lead in the first with a solo home run to right field.
In the sixth inning, Cole ran into trouble on the mound. With runners on first and second, John Smith III singled, loading the bases. Steve Sabins called upon David Perez out of the Mountaineers bullpen, and the freshman induced a routine ground ball, but Armani Guzman’s fielding miscue allowed a run to score and left the bases juiced. Perez walked in a run before James Hankerson Jr.’s base hit gave the Knights a 5-0 lead.
WVU set the tone for a rally in the eighth. Brock Wills led off with a walk and Robaugh singled to left field. Ben Lumsden walked, loading the bases. Guzman went down swinging before Kelly’s sacrifice fly cut the deficit to 5-1. Paul Schoenfeld grounded out, halting the comeback.
UCF secured the series and remained at the top of the Big 12 standings.
The Mountaineers host Marshall on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
