Bulldogs stunned by No. 23 West Virginia

CONWAY, S.C. – No. 23 West Virginia hit six home runs, including a three-run home run with two outs in the top of the ninth, to stun the Bryant University baseball team, 9-7, on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs hit three home runs of their own to build a 5-1 lead and took a 7-5 lead to the top of the ninth. West Virginia, however, took advantage of a two-out error and pinch-hitter Nathan Blasick hit a three-run home run to give the Mountaineers the lead. 

Liam McGill hit a pair of home runs and finished with his fourth-straight three-hit game to pace the Bryant offense. James Ciliento also homered and Jake Gustin posted a pair of hits. Tyler Schoff earned a no decision after striking out a career-high seven over 6.0 innings of three-run ball.

Game Information
No. 23 West Virginia 9, Bryant 7
Records: Bryant (2-4), No. 23 West Virginia (4-3)
Location: Springs Brooks Stadium (Conway, S.C.)
W|L|S: Jacob Watters (1-0) | Jack Ipsen (0-1) | Sylar Gonzalez

Key Moments

• McGill and Ciliento hit back-to-back home runs to give the Bulldogs a 5-1 lead in the fifth. 
• The Mountaineers grabbed the lead with a two-out, three-run home run in the ninth.         

How it Happened

• McGill gave the Bulldogs a quick lead with a two-run home run down the left field line in the first. 
• After West Virginia hit a home run of its own in the top of the second, Michael Stellato walked and came around to score on a Mountaineer error to make it 3-1 after two.
• It stayed that way until McGill and Ciliento hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth. 
• West Virginia answered with back-to-back home runs of its own in the top of the sixth. 
• Bryant got a run back in the bottom half on a throwing error. 
• The Mountaineers made it a 6-5 game with a pair of home runs in the top of the eighth. 
• Bryant added a run in the bottom of the eighth as Tommy DiTullio walked and came around to score on a wild pitch. 
• In the top of the ninth, a sac fly made it a 7-6 game. West Virginia then put two on with two outs on a walk and an error, setting up Blasick's three-run home run.

Stats

• West Virginia outhit the Bulldogs, 16-9.
• The two teams combined to hit nine home runs and commit nine errors.
• McGill finished 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI.
• Ciliento went 2-for-5 with a home run.
• Gustin added two hits and a run scored.
• Stellato scored a pair of runs.
• Schoff struck out seven and allowed three runs on 10 hits over 6.0 innings.

Notes and Notables  

• McGill has now posted four-straight three-hit games and is 13-for-22 on the year.
• McGill finished the three-game weekend 9-for-13 (.692) with five RBI and four runs scored. He posted a .714 OBP.
• Woods has reached safely in all six games this season and 10-straight dating back to last season.
• Schoff has posted career highs in strikeouts in each of his first two starts. 

Up Next

Bryant wraps up the southern portion of its schedule with a four-game series at UNC Greensboro next weekend.