NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Reliever Pascal Paul pitched out of a second-and-third jam in the bottom of the ninth to save West Virginia’s 5-4 win at Cal State Northridge on Thursday.
The Mountaineers (9-5) improved to 4-1 on the current West Coast road trip, which includes three more games against the Matadors (7-12).
Jacob Rice, Bobby Boyd and Cam O’Brien each had two hits to lead West Virginia’s 11-hit charge.
Senior left-hander Zach Bargeron, making his 10th career start and first of the season, took the no-decision while allowing two runs on five hits with one strikeout in 4 1/3 innings.
Senior Ryan Tezak (1-0) claimed the win with four innings of relief, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
Paul picked up his second save of the season by getting the final two outs, though they were adventurous. He entered with WVU leading 5-3 and runners at first and second and coaxed a pop fly for the second out. After a Ryan Raslowsky infield single loaded the bases for Cal State Northridge, Paul hit Nick Blaser to force home one run. But then he struck out Michael Livingston to end it.
Raslowsky had three hits for the Matadors, while Blaser and William Colantono each had two hits. Starter Jerry Keel (0-4) allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings.
The teams are back in action on Friday at 6 p.m. with pitcher Harrison Musgrave taking the mound for the Mountaineers.