MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Jackson Cramer hit his sixth homer of the year and center fielder KC Huth threw out the potential tying runner at third base to end West Virginia’s 5-4 win over Virginia Tech 5-4 on Tuesday night in nonconference baseball action.
In front of 1,217 fans at Monongalia County Ballpark, the Mountaineers (24-19) led 5-1 in the sixth before fighting off a late comeback by the Hokies (15-31).
“We actually played pretty well early in the game,” West Virginia coach Randy Mazey said. “We got the leadoff man on in the first three innings. A couple of bunts, a couple hit-and-runs, executing, and the next thing you know we score in each of those innings. It’s a good team win. We’ve been winning games by slugging the ball around and we didn’t do that tonight and still won the game. It’s nice to know you can win games in different fashions.”
WVU was out-hit 10-8 but benefited from two Virginia Tech errors that led to three unearned runs.
Freshman right-hander Braden Zarbnisky (2-0) started and pitched four shutout innings, giving up three hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
Jackson Sigman allowed the Hokies to climb back in the game with a three-run seventh.
Blake Smith earned his sixth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. Smith struck out two and gave up two hits, but Huth’s stellar throw ended the game.
Ivan Veras put WVU ahead with a first-inning RBI single and Jimmy Galusky added a sac-fly in the second.
Virginia Tech starter Nick Anderson (0-1) gave up four runs—two earned—on six hits in 4 1/3 innings.
West Virginia remains at home to host Texas in a three-game set starting Friday.