Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
CINCINNATI, Ohio – It took two days, a rain delay and 13 innings, but No. 12 West Virginia opened its three-game series with a 9–5 extra-inning win over Cincinnati in a marathon thriller at UC Baseball Stadium.
Friday’s game was moved up due to impending weather, but the Mountaineers (28-10, 13-6 Big 12) and Bearcats (27-17, 8-11) couldn’t decide it within the allotted time. The contest was suspended tied at 5–5 and resumed Saturday afternoon.
Matthew Graveline and Brock Wills led off the 13th inning with back-to-back singles, and both advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch before scoring on Maxwell Molessa’s single through the left side. Paul Schoenfeld followed with a bunt base hit, and a Jack Natili throwing error allowed Molessa to score. Lumsden then grounded out to bring home Schoenfeld, giving WVU a four-run cushion.
Chansen Cole pitched the 13th inning, and with the bases loaded, he got Enzo Infelise to ground into a game-ending double play.
On Friday, Gavin Kelly started the game with a two-run home run in the first to give the Mountaineers the early lead. Cincinnati used a four-run fifth inning to take a 4-2 lead.
In the eighth, Lumsden doubled down the left field line, scoring Weston Mazey and Kelly to tie the game at 4-4.
Ryan Tyranski’s solo shot put the Bearcats back in front but WVU tied the game in the top of the ninth, forcing extra frames.
The Mountaineers had 18 hits. Kelly, Schoenfeld, Graveline, and Wills each had three hits apiece.
Cole picked up his sixth win of the season. Reese Bassinger left it all on the mound on Friday. He tossed 4 1/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out seven.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
