West Virginia Baseball Walk-Off Grand Slam Beats Columbia | NCAA Baseball News
Mountaineers Walk Off Columbia in Extra Innings Behind Kresser Grand Slam
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Mountaineers secured a thrilling 9-5 victory over the Columbia Lions in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon, fueled by a walk-off grand slam from senior Brodie Kresser. The win, played at Wagener Field at Kendrick Family Ballpark, evened the three-game series at one game apiece.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th, Kresser connected with a pitch from Columbia’s pitcher, sending the ball over the left field fence for his first home run of the season. “I kind of blacked out there,” Kresser said, according to reporting from The Dominion Post. “That was pretty cool… To do it in extras in the 10th was pretty special.”
The dramatic finish capped a game that saw the Mountaineers rally from a recent two-game losing streak and a challenging week that included the loss of a key pitcher, Chase Meyer. The victory improves WVU’s record to 9-3 on the season, giving them an opportunity to win their fourth series of the year when they face Columbia again on Sunday.
The 10th inning began with a single from third baseman Tyrus Hall, followed by catcher Gavin Kelly being hit by a pitch. Center fielder Paul Schoenfeld then drew a walk, loading the bases with no outs. While a lineout by shortstop Matt Ineich initially threatened to stall the rally, Kresser’s subsequent grand slam sealed the win.
A key defensive play earlier in the game kept the Mountaineers in contention. With no outs in the 10th, Columbia sent a ball to the left field fence. WVU’s Matthew Graveline made a leaping catch, preventing a potential two-run homer that could have changed the game’s trajectory.
Right-hander Chansen Cole started on the mound for West Virginia, working five innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits, while striking out three. He walked four batters and faced some trouble in the sixth inning. David Perez earned the win in relief, pitching 2.1 innings and recording two strikeouts.
WVU took an early lead in the fourth inning. Right fielder Brock Wills and designated hitter Sean Smith both singled, and Armani Guzman followed with a grounder that scored Wills. Smith then scored on a steal of second by Guzman, giving the Mountaineers a 2-0 advantage.
The Mountaineers extended their lead in the fifth, but Columbia continued to battle. Saturday’s game followed a 7-4 victory by Columbia on Friday, where a five-run second inning proved decisive. The series finale is scheduled for Sunday, March 7, at 12:30 p.m. And will be streamed on ESPN+.
“It wasn’t easy,” West Virginia head coach Steve Sabins said. “That’s for damn sure. Nothing has been easy for a couple of days. It felt like our team needed that.”
Gavin Kelly had a strong offensive performance, reaching base four times and coming up just short of hitting for the cycle.