Season Review [ recapping 2011 ]
and did not disappoint, recording 11 wins in a 14 game homestand. WVU swept Bryant and Eastern Kentucky, while taking 3-of-4 from Rider and Canisius. The homestand concluded with a split doubleheader against Eastern Michigan that saw WVU take game one 20-6 after allowing six runs in the top of the first inning. Griffin led the team with a 4-for-5 performance, including two doubles, two runs and three RBIs. The BIG EAST season quickly crept up on WVU and it was off to USF for a three-game series against one of the conference’s tougher opponents. After falling in the first game, WVU took the final two of the series to end the first weekend with a winning record in the BIG EAST. After falling in the Mountaineer Diamond Classic to a tough Morehead State team, WVU returned to the BIG EAST season for the second tough road trip of the season and defeated No. 23 Louisville 9-2 in game one to give WVU its first win at Louisville in team history. Tezak recorded his first career win in a solid five innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out seven. The Mountaineers then dropped the final two games of the series to bring their BIG EAST record to 6-6. After a home midweek non-conference loss to Maryland, WVU swept Georgetown at home. Buckner and Dan DiBartolomeo finished the series batting .455 and .444, respectively. Buckner had one run, one double and two RBIs,
Dan DiBartolomeo
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Kevin Griffin
while DiBartolomeo scored three runs and had one homer to go with three RBIs. WVU looked to continue the success as the team took a road trip to Notre Dame. A two-run two-out double by freshman Ryan McBroom led the Mountaineers to a 6-4 victory in game one
of the series. Only a few hours later on ESPNU, the Mountaineers fell 5-2 to the Irish in a blustery, rainy night game that featured three rain delays and winds that came in from all directions. Needing a strong performance to win the series in game three, Berry failed to disappoint by allowing just three hits and one run for his first career nine-inning complete game. Buckner finished the afternoon with a 3-for-5 performance, including two runs, a double, a home run and three RBIs. Buckner completed the weekend batting 6-for-12 with four runs, two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. What is more impressive is what Buckner did in his career against the Irish, going 13-for-37 with 13 runs, three doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs. The team returned home and was able to take two-of-three from Seton Hall with Buckner again leading the offensive attack with a 5-for-9 series performance, including three runs, one double, one home run and three RBIs. However, the series featured a huge loss as freshman starter Harrison Musgrave ended his season after recording a win in seven innings
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