MORGANTOWN — Following a scoreless first inning, University’s batters started hitting and they did not stop until the Hawks had a 29-6 win over visiting Preston in the opening round of their section tournament Tuesday evening on Shilling Field at Mylan Park.
The Hawks (19-9) plated eight runs in the bottom of the second, six more in the third and then exploded for 15 in the bottom of the fourth. UHS had 13 different players go up to the plate and all 13 either recorded a hit, scored a run or drove in an RBI.
“I thought we had really good at-bats all game long,” UHS coach Brad Comport said. “I thought we were selective and the pitches that were there to drive we took advantage of. Across the board contributions form the whole roster basically and that was really cool to see.”
UHS collected 17 hits as a team and also drew 11 walks and were hit by a pitch five times.
The first runs of the game came on a two-run home run by catcher Jake Croston in the bottom of the second inning. That hit sparked a rally that included a two-run double by slugger Noah Braham and a two-run home run by center fielder Wenkai Campbell.
Braham, a WVU football signee, would later hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, his 12th of the season. He finished with two hits, four runs scored and five RBI. He has driven in 56 run this season.
“I can’t really explain it, but it’s really special,” Comport said of Braham’s success. “It’s really awesome to sit back and see and be a part of. He’s phenomenal, I can’t say enough good things about Noah.”
Campbell finished with three hits, a homer, single and double, five runs scored and four RBI. Croston also finished with two hits and four RBI. Brodee Latocha, Cody Thomas, Park Croyle and Daniel Grabo all drove in two runs. Tyler Furbee pinch hit in the bottom of the fourth but still managed to collect two hits and drove in three runs in two trips to the plate.
Zach Harman started on the mound and struck out four in 2 1/3 innings.
University will host Bridgeport in a Class AAA Region 1, Section 2 semifinal today at Mylan Park. Bridgeport defeated Buckhannon-Upshur 8-6 on Tuesday.
“We’re looking forward to a really good opponent and a really good game (Wednesday),” Comport said. “Obviously a lot of respect for that program and that team. We know we’re going to be in a battle and we’re ready to embrace that.”
Preston (7-13) will play an elimination game at BU today.
First baseman Brady McNew had two hits, a double, and drove in two runs for the Knights while Mason Chaney drove in two on a sacrifice fly and a fielder’s choice. Jackson Turner had two hits and an RBI and Robbie Lowe had a hit and an RBI.
University 29, Preston 6, 5 innings
Pres 002 40 — 6 6 1
UHS 086 (15)x — 29 17 1
PRESTON — McNew 3 1 2 2; Lowe 3 0 1 1; Chaney 2 0 0 2; McVicker 2 0 0 0; Manko 1 0 0 0; Snyder 3 0 1 0; Adams 2 1 0 0; Moyer 0 2 0 0; Sanders 1 0 0 0; Turner 2 2 2 1; Hayman 1 0 0 0. Totals 20 6 6 6.
UNIVERSITY — Latocha 4 4 1 2; Thomas 4 2 2 2; Braham 3 4 2 5; Campbell 3 5 3 4; Croston 3 1 2 4; Croyle 1 2 1 2; Templeton 1 4 1 0; Jansen 3 1 1 1; Furbee 2 1 2 3; Walters 2 2 0 0; Grabo 1 0 1 2; Smolkin 0 2 0 0; McDonough 1 1 1 1. Totals 28 29 17 26.
2B — Preston: McNew. University: Braham, Campbell, Jansen, Grabo.
HR — University: Braham, Campbell, Croston.
WP: Harman 2.1ip, 2r, 3h, 1bb, 4k.
LP: Ward 1.2ip, 8r, 8h, 1bb, 0k.
TWEEt @CodyNespor
