MORGANTOWN — West Virginia went wire-to-wire in picking up its first series victory of the season with a 5-1 win against Arizona on Saturday at Hi Corbett Field.
WVU starter Blaine Traxel pitched a complete game in picking up his first victory of the season. He scattered five hits, allowed just one run and struck out six.
The WVU offense backed him up, mostly with the bat of J.J. Wetherholt who had three hits, including a double and a run-scoring single in the seventh inning for the final score.
Grant Hussey had an RBI double and Tevin Tucker scored another with a two-out single in the top of the second inning to get the Mountaineers (4-2) going.
Dayne Leonard scored two more with a double in the fifth inning.
Anthony Susac (0-2) took the loss for the Wildcats (3-3) after giving up four runs over 4.1 innings.
WVU has now won four in a row since dropping its first two games of the season at Georgia Southern, including a road win against No. 13 Maryland.
Wetherholt’s three hits gave him 13 over the first six games of the season and he’s hit safely in all six.
WVU and Arizona will play the third and final game of the series at 3 p.m. Sunday.
WVU 6, Arizona 5
In a late game from Friday night, the Mountaineers scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th after J.J. Wetherholt stole home with two outs.
After the game was tied 5-5 after nine innings, the game reached the 11th, when Wetherholt doubled to lead off the inning and later stole third base.
With two outs, WVU’s sophomore second baseman took it upon himself to score when he dashed home while Arizona pitcher Trevor Long was beginning his windup to Logan Sauve.
When Long realized Wetherholt was attempting to steal, he threw home, but the throw was high and behind Wetherholt, who slid in safely.
WVU (3-2) held the Wildcats scoreless in the bottom of the 11th when Carlson Reed got Mac Bingham to pop out with two outs that stranded teammate Garen Caulfield at third base.
Reed (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season in relief. He pitched two innings, allowed one hit and no runs, while striking out two.
Wetherholt, now batting .435 on the young season, went 3 for 6 and drove in two with his first home run of the season.
Braden Barry also drove in two for the Mountaineers, who have won three in a row.
Freshman first baseman Sam White also had four hits for WVU and Caleb McNeely belted a triple.
Ben Hampton started the game for WVU. He went 6.2 innings, allowing nine hits and three runs.
