FIRST PITCH
Score: West Virginia 11 | Queens 7
Records: West Virginia (10-0 overall, 0-0 Big 12) | Queens (2-8 overall, 0-0 ASUN)
Location: Atrium Health Ballpark (Kannapolis, N.C.)
 
The Short Story:
In an early slugfest at Atrium Health Ballpark, the undefeated West Virginia Mountaineers managed to capitalize on 11 free passes to grab an 11-7 victory over Queens on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Kannapolis. Nick Alderfer and Caleb Stewart paced the Royals offense with multi-hit performances in the loss.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-West Virginia jumped on the board first in the top of the first inning with a run on two hits. Brodie Kresser got the inning started with a leadoff single before advancing to second on a balk. Queens would exchange their second out to allow Kresser to move up to third, but a Jace Rinehart two-out single up the middle gave the Mountaineers the early lead.
-Queens responded immediately as leadoff hitter Anibal Rivera set the tone with a 430-foot blast off the top of the party deck in right-center to tie the game back up 1-1. Senior Nick Alderfer followed it up with a single into center field before advancing to second. A balk and hit by pitch would put runners on the corners and Lenox Lively delivered with a two-run single to center field to chase the Mountaineers starter from the game. Newcomer Justin Hudson would deliver the final blow of the impressive inning with an RBI infield single to cap off a four-run frame for the Royals.
-The visiting Mountaineers answered back in the top of the second inning with five runs on two hits, all of which came with two outs. West Virginia capitalized on six free passes, two wild pitches, and a Royals error during the inning.
-For the third straight frame, West Virginia scratched across runs plating a pair in the top of the third inning. Armani Guzman delivered a solo blast to right center before Jace Rinehart laced a two-out RBI single through the left side to give the Mountaineers an 8-4 lead.
-Queens answered in the bottom of the third inning as Caleb Stewart got the inning started with a single up the middle. Will Budnick worked a four-pitch walk and Lenox Lively advanced both runners up 90 feet on an infield groundout. Newcomer Charlie Marcantel delivered in the clutch with a two-run single through the right side to cut the deficit to 8-6.
-The Royals added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning with a timely two-out double down the left field line from Caleb Stewart.
-After being held scoreless for four straight innings, the Mountaineers would find their rhythm at the plate in the eighth lacing three hits to plate three insurance runs for an 11-7 lead.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Senior Nick Alderfer continued his hot streak going 2-for-5 for his fourth multi-hit game of the season. The Charlotte native is riding a four-game hitting streak.
-Outfielder Caleb Stewart recorded his second multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-4 afternoon, including his third extra-base hit of the season.
-Junior Anibal Rivera extended his hitting streak to four games, and his on-base streak to six games with his third home run of the season.
-Big swinger Justin Hudson has recorded a hit in four straight games and delivered his 10^th RBI of the season as he leads the team in runs driven in.
-Will Budnick, Lenox Lively, and Charlie Marcantel rounded out the Royals offense with a base hit. Budnick added two runs scored on the day.
-Freshman right-hander Ryan Brown kept the Royals in the ballgame with a quality 5.1 innings of relief, the most by a Royals reliever out of the pen this season.
-Jack Brooker made his fifth appearance on the season and tossed a pair of scoreless innings to give the Royals offense a chance at a comeback.
-Three Mountaineers turned in multi-hit games as Brodie Kresser led the charge with a 3-for-5 day at the plate.

NEXT UP
Queens and West Virginia will continue the four-game weekend series on Sunday, March 2^nd as the series shifts to First National Bank Field in Greensboro. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. Fans can purchase their tickets for the Sunday showdown here.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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