Class AAA No. 8 University wins 9th straight behind 3 home runs

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Class AAA No. 8 University hit three home runs on Friday night and won its ninth straight game, beating visiting Musselman 10-9 from Mylan Park.

The Hawks (11-6) jumped out to a 9-1 through two innings behind a two-run home run from Ross Mulhall and a three-run home run from Trevor Barnhart.

Musselman (9-6), though, chipped away with a run in the third and two in the fourth, before eventually tying the game at 9-9 with five runs in the sixth.

A solo home run from Hunter Cottrell in the bottom of the sixth, however, was the ultimate difference, giving University the eventual one-run win.

Barnhart led the Hawks overall at the plate, going 3 for 4 (a home run and two doubles), with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Cottrell finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Mulhall went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Clay Maholic also had two hits and an RBI for the Hawks as well.

Blake Hartman led Musselman at the plate, going 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Logan Campbell and Justin Murphy both added two hits apiece in the loss.

It was a Musselman team that entered Friday’s game riding a lot of momentum, sweeping a doubleheader over No. 3 Washington back on Wednesday and edging Hedgesville on Thursday.

University, meanwhile, is 10-1 since going 1-5 in Florida to begin the year over spring break.