MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Matt Frazer’s two-run homer lifted West Virginia to a 2-1 victory over Eastern Kentucky in the Mountaineers’ home opener on Tuesday at Hawley Field.
Frazer’s first home run of the season — off EKU reliever Chris Cervantes — came to straightaway center after a single by Billy Fleming in the bottom of the third.
Left-hander Zach Bargeron pitched into the fifth inning for the Mountaineers (5-6), allowing one run on two hits and three walks while fanning three.
Ryan Hostrander (1-0) earned the first win of his career in relief of Bargeron, allowing two hits in 1 1/3 innings. He gave way to Ryan Tezak in the seventh before Pascal Paul got the final two outs for his second save.
“What we’re trying to teach these guys is not to get caught up in results. If you just worry about the process, then the results will come,” coach Randy Mazey said. “We won the game and things haven’t been going our way lately as far as close games and the ball bouncing our way. We made big pitches at the end of the game and fortunately we got a win.”
Third baseman Ryan Tuntland led the Mountaineers with three hits, including a triple. Center fielder Bobby Boyd extended his hit streak to 21 games with two hits.
Eastern Kentucky (3-5) got its lone run in the fifth inning on a pinch-hit single by Doug Teegarden.
Colonels starter Brent Cobb (1-2) lasted 2 2/3 innings and was lifted after throwing only 51 pitches.
West Virginia now heads to the Snowbird Baseball Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Mountaineers will face Bowling Green on Thursday, Central Michigan on Friday, Maine on Saturday and Iowa on Sunday.