GRANVILLE, W.Va. — Morgantown fought off a furious seventh-inning rally from Wheeling Park to remain perfect on the season with an 8-6 win in the final game of the Mohigan Baseball Classic at Monongalia County Ballpark.
The Mohigans (7-0) allowed three runs in the top of the seventh to the Patriots before USC-Upstate signee Ryan Fluharty came on to record the final out.
“They had the tying run on second base and Ryan has kind of filled that closer role. That’s kind of the situation we go to him. He came in and did a great job for us. He shut the door,” said Morgantown head coach Pat Sherald.
The Mohigans also defeated Uniontown, Pa. 12-9 in a lengthy game just before the Wheeling Park contest.
“I think I need to tip every fan who stayed around for that game because it was a three-hour game in less-than-ideal conditions. But they found a way to win the ball game.
“Their focus was really good today. That’s what I told them. The conditions were less-than-ideal today with the weather. But I just told them that, “Hey, we have to be mentally tough. Go out there and just try to win every single inning. And at the end of it, see where we land’.”
Wheeling Park (4-2) broke a scoreless stalemate in the top of the fourth inning. Ryan Conrad’s RBI single sent Gian DeGenova home with the game’s first run.
However, MHS scored four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. Ty Galusky scored the first run for the Mohigans. He had four hits and a pair of RBI.
“Ty Galusky really swung the bat well for us today. He was 4-for-4 and gave us a chance to win a ball game.”
The Patriots trailed 8-3 in the top of the seventh. However, their first four batters in the inning reached base. Conrad sent a sinking liner to left field that fell in, allowing two more runs to score.
Fluharty was able to save the game in relief of starting pitcher Caleb Cottle. Cottle pitched five innings. He allowed a pair of unearned runs and three hits.
“He struck out seven guys and kept his walk total down,” Sherald said. “They didn’t put a good swing on him. His breaking ball seemed to be a plus-pitch for him today. He just really competed for us with every pitch. Those are the kind of outings we are going to have to get from Caleb if we are going to go deep into the season.”
Morgantown outhit Wheeling Park 11-5. Drew Bailey had two doubles and two RBI for the Mohigans.
Earlier in the day, University defeated Parkersburg South 7-1 and Wheeling Park walked it off against Parkersburg South, 5-4.