MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Indiana’s Sam Travis belted a tiebreaking three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, lifting Indiana to an 8-5 win over West Virginia on Friday in the opener of the Caravelle Resort Baseball at the Beach tournament.
Michael Constantini gave WVU (3-5) its first lead at 4-3 in the sixth inning, scoring on a warning track sacrifice fly by Billy Fleming. Jacob Rice followed with his fourth hit of the day, scoring Bobby Boyd for a 5-3 lead.
The Hoosiers (5-2) pulled even in the bottom of the sixth against West Virginia starter Harrison Musgrave. After a pinch-hit solo home run by Casey Smith pinch-hitter Chad Clark doubled and eventually scored.
That was the final inning for Musgrave, who earned a no-decision in six innings of work, allowing five runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
Right-hander Pascal Paul took the loss in two innings of relief, allowing three runs — all on Travis’ two-out blast in the eighth.
Hoosiers reliever Scott Effross picked up the win, allowing two hits in two innings. Closer Ryan Halstead shut down WVU in the ninth innings, striking out one.
Trailing 2-0, the Mountaineers tied the game in the top of the second as catcher Alan Filauro hit a full-count single up the middle to drive in Brady Wilson and Taylor Munden.
Indiana reook the lead at 3-2, before WVU tied it in the fourth on Rice’s two-out single that scored Filauro.
WVU returns to action Saturday at 10 a.m. against Maryland-Baltimore County.