BLACKSBURG, Va. — No. 25 West Virginia overcame a five-run deficit to beat Virginia Tech 8-6 and Jackson Sigman struck out eight in his best relief appearance this season.
Kyle Davis hit a three-run shot to help the Mountaineers (24-15) catch up and Kyle Gray drove in the go-ahead run on line-drive sac-fly to center in the sixth inning.
Sigman (2-2) entered the game with a 7.36 ERA, having allowed three homers in Sunday’s loss at Kansas State, but he pitched 3 2/3 innings of one-hit relief to quiet the Hokies (20-23), who began the day No. 112 in the RPI.
West Virginia needed a strong outing from Sigman after starter Isaiah Kearns and Cody Wood allowed six runs in the first 4 1/3 innings. It also needed a rally after trailing 5-0, but Davis’ sixth homer of the year highlighted a six-run fourth inning.
After the Hokies pulled even at 6-6, Chase Illig walked and scored on Gray’s sac-fly in the sixth against Virginia Tech reliever Joey Sullivan (1-3).
Ivan Gonzalez made it 8-6 in the top of the ninth with a squeeze bunt after Brandon White’s triple. Braden Zarbnisky pitched around a walk in the bottom half for his second save.
Matt Dauby hit a three-run blast in the third inning, giving Virginia Tech a nation-leading 72nd homer.