FIRST PITCH
Score: West Virginia 11 | Queens 1
Records: West Virginia (11-0 overall, 0-0 Big 12) | Queens (2-9 overall, 0-0 ASUN)
Location: First National Bank Field (Greensboro, N.C.)
 
The Short Story:
Despite trailing 2-1 heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Royals saw the deficit expand as the undefeated West Virginia Mountaineers plated nine runs over the final three innings to secure their 11^th straight victory. Despite the loss, Adrian Quezada hurled five solid innings holding the Mountaineers to one earned run on four hits.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-For the third straight game, Queens jumped on West Virginia in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Caleb Stewart sent a towering 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for his first home run of the season, and the early 1-0 lead.
-After being held scoreless through the first four frames, the visiting Mountaineers would plate a pair in the top of the fifth inning. Grant Hussey led off the frame with a solo home run to center field for the equalizer. Brodie Kresser followed it up with a walk before swiping second. The speedy Kresser advanced to third on the same play after an errant throw on the stolen base to put the go-ahead run 90 feet away. Sam White capitalized, flaring an RBI single over the shortstop to give West Virginia the 2-1 lead.
-West Virginia broke the game open in the top of the seventh inning with five runs on three hits and a Queens error. The Mountaineers loaded the bases with consecutive singles and a walk before a Royals error on a flyball plated the first run. Jace Rinehart followed it up with a bases-clearing double to extend the Mountaineers lead to 7-1. Gavin Kelly would cap off the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right field.
-The Mountaineers would add three insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning capitalizing on four free passes, a timely hit, and a Queens error to grab a commanding 11-1 lead.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Senior Caleb Stewart blasted his first home run of the season as a part of a 1-for-3 day. The outfielder has recorded a hit in five of the last six games.
-Jake Barbour knocked his team-leading 14^th hit with a 1-for-4 afternoon.
-Senior Will Budnick rounded out the offense with a 1-for-4 day at the plate improving his season average to _.
-Coming off a quality start last weekend, right-hander Adrian Quezada made his third start of the season and tossed 5.0 innings allowing just one earned run and five hits. The Bronx, New York native fanned a pair of Mountaineers.
-Grant Hussey led the Mountaineers offense with a 3-for-5 afternoon, including three RBI and a pair of runs scored.
-Gavin Van Kempen picked up the victory for West Virginia tossing 5.0 innings allowing just one earned run on two hits while striking out five Royals.
-The West Virginia pitching staff controlled the day only allowing three hits while striking out 12 Royals.

NEXT UP
Queens and West Virginia will wrap up the four-game series in the Queen City on Monday, March 3^rd at the Richard "Stick" Williams Dream Fields. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. Fans can purchase their tickets in advance by visiting the Queens Athletics website.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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