SOUTH BEND, Ind – A complete game from senior right-hander Andy Berry and a six run fifth inning led the West Virginia University baseball team to a 8-1 victory over Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon at Frank Eck Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
The Mountaineers won the season series, splitting a doubleheader on Friday and then winning this afternoon’s finale. This is the first time since the 2003 season in which the Mountaineers won a series at Notre Dame.
West Virginia (22-15, 8-4) finished with eight runs on 10 hits and did not commit an error, while Notre Dame (14-18-1, 5-7) scored one run on three hits and committed two errors.
Berry (5-2) allowed three hits and one run in nine innings of work for his first career nine inning complete game. Berry also struck out five, including the final three batters of the game. Todd Miller (3-3) took the loss for the Irish, allowing eight runs on eight hits in five innings. Notre Dame used four relievers that each pitched one inning.
Redshirt senior shortstop Grant Buckner got the Mountaineers on the board in the top of third with a two run home run to left center. Senior third baseman Justin McDavid got on base with a double down the left field line, followed by Buckner hitting his fifth homer of the season and first in conference play.
Buckner finished the afternoon with a 3-for-5 performance including two runs, a double, a home run and three RBIs. Buckner completed the weekend batting 6-for-12 with four runs, two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. What is more impressive is Buckner’s career against the Irish which is now 13-for-37 with 13 runs, three doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs.
McDavid and freshman second baseman Isac Franklin each went 2-for-4 on the afternoon, with McDavid scoring a run and Franklin driving in a run.
Thanks to two errors by Notre Dame fielders, the Mountaineers added six runs on four hits in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 8-0. Sophomore rightfielder Brady Wilson singled through the left side to start the rally with one out. After McDavid grounded out, Buckner singled to left, scoring Wilson. Redshirt senior first baseman Jeremy Gum was able to reach on an error by the second baseman Frank Desico, while sophomore leftfielder Chris Rasky knocked a single to centerfield that scored Buckner. Freshman designated hitter L.K. Thompson drew a walk to load the bases, bringing sophomore catcher Matt Malloy to the plate. Malloy laced a ball that tailed towards right field and Notre Dame centerfielder Eric Jagielo ultimately dropped the ball, clearing the bases and allowing Malloy to reach second. Franklin singled up the middle, plating Malloy for the final run of the inning.
Berry’s only blemish was a home run from Notre Dame’s Trey Mancini in the bottom of the sixth that hit off the batter’s eye in centerfield.
The Mountaineers will return home to Hawley Field to take on Seton Hall in a BIG EAST home series. Game one begins on Thursday, April 21, at 7:05 p.m. The game has been designated as a “Dollar Day” with all tickets and select concessions just $1.
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