HICKORY, N.C. –
Trey Tujetsch retired the first six batters he faced, and
Jordan Fisher delivered the longest outing of his Mountaineer career, but the middle-innings belonged to the visitors in a 18-1 loss to West Virginia at L.P. Frans Stadium.
Tujetsch retired West Virginia three up, three down in the first two innings, finishing off each frame with a strikeout. Despite giving up four runs in the third inning, Tujetsch seldom surrendered hard contact, but West Virginia was able to make the most of their opportunities with bunt hits, stolen bases, and productive outs.
Tujetch gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits and struck out two in three innings of work. He slips to 0-3 on the season, but the Mountaineers offense has scored just one total run in his three starts.
App State took a 1-0 lead in the second inning.
Hayden Cross and
Golston Gillespie each worked walks in the frame, and both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.
Dylan Rogers then plated Cross on an RBI groundout to give the Mountaineers an early lead.
After jumping in front in the third inning, West Virginia continued to add on through the middle innings. JJ Wetherholt led the charge for West Virginia in the ballgame, going 5-for-6 with 6 RBIs in the ballgame.
Seth Whitley did not allow an earned run in the seventh inning, picking up a strikeout, while Fisher fired the final two innings, allowing just one earned run in his longest outing as a Mountaineer, after redshirting last season. Fisher retired the side in order in the eighth inning.
The teams will conclude their two-game set in Boone on Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. at Smith Stadium. Admission is free.
