Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A six-run second inning powered No. 23 West Virginia to a dominant 16-1 win over Columbia on Sunday afternoon at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
The Mountaineers improved to 10-3 on the season behind a breakout performance from Matt Ineich, who drove in six runs, including a grand slam that blew the game open early.
Brodie Kresser, Ineich and Gavin Kelly each finished with two hits for WVU. Kresser added three RBIs as the Mountaineers piled up runs across the middle innings.
WVU wasted little time taking control.
After a leadoff batter reached base on a throwing error in the second inning, Sean Smith started the scoring with an RBI single. Back-to-back walks to Armani Guzman and Tyrus Hall forced in another run before Ineich ended his slump in emphatic fashion, launching a grand slam over the left-field wall to give the Mountaineers a 6-0 lead.
The Lions (2-9) answered with their lone run in the third when Cole Fellows scored on a fielder’s choice, but WVU immediately responded. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Ineich delivered again with a two-run single to shallow right to push the advantage to 8-1.
The Mountaineers continued to add on. Guzman’s sacrifice fly scored Kresser in the fourth, and WVU made it 10-1 in the fifth when Gavin Kelly scored as Paul Schoenfeld was thrown out attempting to steal.
The Mountaineers stretched the lead further in the seventh when Columbia pitcher Koby Seelig walked five straight WVU batters, bringing in two more runs. The Mountaineers capped the afternoon with four runs in the eighth.
On the mound, Maxx Yehl (2-0) delivered another strong outing for WVU. The right-hander worked six innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out nine.
Jack Korthas (0-1) suffered the loss for the Lions, giving up six runs on three hits in two innings.
The Mountaineers return to action Tuesday afternoon when they host Marshall at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
Photo credit: WVU Athletics
