MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Freshmen Darius Hill and Cole Austin homered and West Virginia banged out nine extra-base hits during a 13-3 victory over Youngstown State on Tuesday night.
In front of 1,316 fans at Monongalia County Ballpark, the Mountaineers (19-16) capped a nine-game homestand with a 12-hit barrage. Five West Virginia pitchers held the Penguins (7-22) to one earned run on six hits.
“Going into the weekend at Oklahoma, we couldn’t have scripted this any better,” coach Randy Mazey said. “With the pitching the way it was, and the offense the way it was, and getting some of the young guys going.”
Freshman right-hander Braden Zarbnisky got his first career start and struck out four over three innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits.
Brandon Boone (1-0), who entered with the score tied 1-1, followed with four strong innings of relief.
The Mountaineers, 5-6 in Big 12 play, return to league action with a three-game series at Oklahoma (18-18-1, 4-8) starting Friday night.