COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — West Virginia managed only four hits during a 9-1 loss at Tennessee Tech on Wednesday.
In the culmination of a 15-game season-opening road swing, only Jimmy Gaulsky’s home run in the seventh salvaged WVU (7-8) from a second consecutive shutout.
The Golden Eagles (11-5) broke open a pitcher’s duel with six runs in the fifth and swept the two-game midweek series by outscoring WVU 17-1.
Right-hander Christian Young (2-1) made his first career start for the Mountaineers and looked sharp until the fifth. He allowed four runs on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Shane Ennis allowed two inherited runners to score and surrendered two more in the seventh as Tennessee Tech led 6-0. Zach Reid gave up homers to Chase Chambers and John Elford late.
Tech’s sophomore left-hander Nic Dye (1-1) turned in the best performance of his young career, pitching 6 1/3 innings of four-hit ball. He walked two and struck out two while piling up a career-high 95 pitches.
The Mountaineers play their home opener Friday to open a weekend series against Canisius.