MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown won its fourth straight game on Monday, beating visiting John Marshall 10-0 in five innings amidst 40 degree temperatures.
With snow melting throughout the day, Monday’s game was moved to the turf surface at Mylan Park where the outfield fence sits 300 feet out all-around.
The Mohigans took advantage, belting four home runs on the day, including a grand slam from right fielder Colton Matthews in the second inning.
“This field is not ideal, but it certainly is a God-send this time of year as far as being able to play,” said Morgantown coach Mark McCarty. “The ball usually doesn’t fly out of here as much as it does up above (on the bigger field), because there’s not the wind. But today, obviously, it was carrying.”
Catcher Caleb Taylor followed Matthews’ shot with a solo home run, while designated-hitter Ethan Smith added a two-run home run later in the inning.
Quinton Smith started Morgantown’s scoring in the first inning with a two-run shot himself. The Mohigans led 2-0 after one and added eight runs to their lead in the second — a 10-0 advantage that held to game’s final score.
Ethan Stewart picked up the win on the mound, going five innings in the shutout, giving up just four hits.
Morgantown overall is off to a nice 6-3 start to the season, despite losing a bevy of seniors from last year’s state tournament team.
“We had 13 seniors (last year) and one starter back, basically,” McCarty said. “But I don’t feel like it’s a rebuilding year. I think the kids we have out here are talented. They’re not inexperienced baseball players. They’ve played their whole lives and many of them play legion. They’re doing fine. Talent wise, it has not been a big drop-off, if any.”
The Mohigans Tuesday are scheduled to face rival University in the first of two regular season meetings.
“They are loaded,” McCarty said of the Hawks. “They have everything back and we’re looking forward to playing them. We know that they’re pretty doggone good this year.”