HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – Despite out-hitting Marshall in game two of the series, App State was unable to collect the clutch hit, falling to the Thundering Herd 5-1 on Saturday at Jack Cook Field.
The App State (18-16, 8-6) went just 1-for-17 with runners aboard and stranded 10 men on base in the contest.
The Mountaineers' bullpen pitched well, combining for four scoreless innings.
Conner Barozzino tossed two scoreless innings, picking up a strikeout and retiring six of the eight batters he faced.
Jordan Fisher followed with two scoreless innings of his own, striking out four in the outing.
Marshall jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Herd (18-17, 6-8) opened the ballgame by drawing back-to-back walks in the first inning, before plating two runs on a triple and one more on an RBI groundout.
Collin Welch, making just his second start of the season, bounced back by retiring the side in the second inning. He went on to work four innings, giving up five runs on three hits.
App State broke up the shutout in the fifth inning. The Mountaineers loaded the bases with
Riley Luft reaching on a single,
Joseph Zamora on an error, and
Kameron Miller on a hit by pitch.
Braxton Church plated a run with a sacrifice fly, but the Mountaineers were unable to get the big hit as they stranded a pair of runners aboard.
Tyler Figueroa led the offense with two hits, including a double – the Mountaineers' lone extra-base hit of the contest.
Tyler Lichtenberger reached on a hit by pitch to extend his on-base streak to 33 consecutive games.
