WVU nips Cats with run in 9th

By Erik Stone

Kyle Davis’ two-out double in the top of the ninth inning allowed West Virginia to earn a 3-2 victory over Kansas State Saturday in Big 12 Baseball action before 2,386 on a blustery, chilly afternoon at Tointon Family Stadium.

K-State, looking for its first Big 12 series win since last April 17-19 against Baylor jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Max Brown’s two-out RBI triple. However Mountaineer starting pitcher Chad Donato settled down after that and after a single in the second inning, did not allow another hit until the seventh. He was lifted for a reliever with one out in the eighth inning.

West Virginia scored a single run in the second inning and then tied the game in the sixth on a fielding error by K-State shortstop Tyler Wolfe.

The Wildcats had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead when Carter Yagi led off with a double and advanced to third base on a passed ball, however he was left stranded there and then the Mountaineers won the game on Davis’ double in the ninth.

Brandon Erickson (0-2) took the loss for K-State while Blake Smith picked up the win in relief recording four strikeouts.

Kansas State (13-16, 2-7) will return to Tointon Family Stadium to host 18th-ranked Nebraska on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.