GRANVILLE, W.Va. — Six Mountaineers posted multi-hit games as West Virginia got back on track after suffering their first loss of the season with a 14-7 series-clinching win over Kennesaw State.
Logan Sauve, Sam White, Jacob Rinehart, Gavin Kelly and Grant Hussey each had two hits for the Mountaineers (14-1).
A day after taking a pitch to the face and suffering a broken nose, shortstop Brodie Kresser was back in the lineup in the leadoff spot. He went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and four runs batted in. He also scored three runs.
“I came back and went to the hospital and the ER. I got a CT scan and showed it was broken. I got some numbing and they popped it back in,” Kresser said.
“Once I passed the concussion test, I knew that was going to wrap it up to get out there and play.”
Kresser took the plate wearing a helmet with a cage in front of it and he played shortstop while wearing a clear mask.
“We were just working out and seeing what I could do to protect it and try not to get hit in that spot. I got a little clear mask that isn’t the best, comfort-wise.”
“I was so proud of that guy. A proud dad moment,” said WVU head coach Steve Sabins. “You want to make sure obviously that guys are safe. But he gets hit in the face with the ball and breaks his nose. They set his nose at 11 or 12 last night. He shows up, probably gets five or six hours of sleep at most, is on some pain medication, has to compete with a mask and a cage on for the first time, cold weather and his face is swollen, he probably has a headache because if you get hit in the face with the ball, it doesn’t feel good. Then he shows up and goes 3-for-5 with a homer and plays great shortstop.”
Kelly, a freshman left fielder, continued his strong play with a pair of hits and he also scored three runs.
“Ultimate confidence. Elite offensive player. He’s a really good athlete with a unique skill set,” Sabins said of Kelly.
Kelly stole home in a fifth-run eighth inning that broken the game open.
“I have done it twice in high school before,” Kelly said. “I wasn’t too surprised by it. I was happy I got the green light because I wanted to do it here. Skylar [King] also helped out at first with stealing and getting the pitcher’s attention. It was a good green light.”
Tyler Hutson earned the win on the mound for the Mountaineers. He pitched three innings of one-run ball in relief of starter David Hagen.
West Virginia concludes their four-game homestand Tuesday when they host Towson at 2 p.m.