WVU (30-12, 15-8 Big 12) took a few innings to get going in the second game of the series, but they delivered in a big way after a few disappointing losses last week. The Mountaineers secured the series victory at home against Kansas State with a Saturday win. Chansen Cole delivered a gem of a game, throwing a complete game to move to 8-1 on the season. The offense rallied behind him, as well, with all nine batters tallying a hit in the contest. The final game of the series is Sunday, May 3, at 1 p.m. ET in Morgantown at Kendrick Family Ballpark. Read more: Chansen Cole tosses a complete game in a 9-1 victory over Kansas State.
Quiet first couple of innings
Cole started the game with a 1-2-3 inning, forcing a ground out, line out, and fly out against the top of the Wildcats’ order. Lincoln Sheffield started on the bump for Kansas State and fared well in his first frame. He surrendered a walk to the two-hole hitter, Gavin Kelly, but got outs against the other three batters he faced.
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The Wildcats tallied their first hit in the top of the second, but it did not lead to runs. Grant Gallagher singled to center field with two outs, but Cole ended the inning with a strikeout against Cadyn Karl. Sheffield allowed three consecutive singles to start the bottom of the inning, but managed to escape without any damage. The Wildcats got the first out at home on a fielder’s choice and a double play on the following at-bat.
The Mountaineers’ offense explodes
Cole delivered another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third inning. WVU broke open the game in the bottom of the third. Kelly homered to right field for the first run in the game, and his seventh of the season. Armani Guzman drove home two more runs with a two-out triple, which scored Sean Smith and Matthew Graveline.
The bats remained hot in the bottom of the fourth after another 1-2-3 inning by Cole. Brock Wills started the inning with a double and moved to third on a bunt single by Tyrus Hall. Matt Ineich brought Wills home with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. Paul Schoenfeld singled to left field, and Kelly scored from first base due to a fielding error by Kansas State.
Cole delivered his third consecutive 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth, as he continued to deal on the mound. Brodie Kresser tripled to left center with two outs to bring home WVU’s sixth run of the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Someone finally got to Cole at the top of the sixth. Micah Kendrick hit a lead-off home run to left field to put the Wildcats on the scoreboard. Cole got the next three batters, however, and limited the damage. Aaron Arnold replaced Sheffield at the bottom of the inning, but could not stop the Mountaineers’ offense.
Kelly and Schoenfeld reached on back-to-back two-out singles, and Smith made Kansas State pay. He hit a three-run home run to right field, his sixth of the season. That made the score 9-1, which was the final score of the game.
Top performers
- C. Cole (WVU): 9.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K (W, 8-1)
- G. Kelly (WVU): 2-for-3, RBI, 3 R, HR, 2 BB
- S. Smith (WVU): 1-for-4, 3 RBI, 3 R, HR, BB
What’s next?
The Mountaineers return to action for the final game of the series tomorrow, Sunday, May 3, at 1 p.m. Eastern. They play in Morgantown, WV, at Wagener Field at Kendrick Family Ballpark against the Kansas State Wildcats. The next game is Tuesday, May 5, against Marshall. That game is the third and final game against Marshall this season and will be at GoMart Ballpark in Charleston, WV, at 6 p.m. Eastern.
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