GRANVILLE — Sam White’s redemption on Wednesday came in the form of a game-winning base hit in the bottom of the 10th inning.
As the cliche goes, though, it was far from the whole story. White was the hero on the day when there were more storylines than any good mystery novel.
In simplest terms, White, a freshman from Ontario, Canada, finished 3 for 6 and drove in three runs to help No. 24 West Virginia pull out a 6-5 victory against Hofstra inside Mon County Ballpark.
The broader view is more interesting, and one that tells you that WVU set a school record in the game by getting hit by eight pitches, there were six instant-replay reviews and emotions were high between both teams throughout.
“We had eight guys hit today and there was a lot of back and forth going on today,” White said. “It was a little bit intensified.
“I don’t think any of the guys thought getting hit was on purpose. A lot of the guys getting hit were off-speed (pitches). It did get a little annoying.”
More annoying was the fact WVU (16-5) rarely cashed in.
The Mountaineers stranded 14 runners, hit into three double plays and were 4 of 16 with runners in scoring position.
That tells part of the story of how the game stayed tied 5-5 going into the 10th inning. But, there was so much more.
Hofstra manager Frank Catalanotto, a major-leaguer for 14 years with five different teams, was nearly ejected in the first inning after two reviews went against the Pride (7-13).
There were several other reviews, including one that ended up with WVU outfielder Landon Wallace getting punched out for twisting his body into a pitch that hit him, but was eventually called strike three.
Another review saw WVU third baseman Caleb McNeely come up with a leaping grab on a foul ball with him ending up in Hofstra’s dugout.
It was originally called that McNeely was out of play when he made the grab, but it was overturned.
“It seemed like there were 27 reviews today,” joked WVU manager Randy Mazey.
And then there was White, who became a part of this game’s story in the top of the 10th inning, after Hofstra’s Dylan Palmer collided with White at first base while trying to beat out a ground ball.
Palmer’s leg swiped the back of White’s right knee and both players hit the ground.
Afterward, tempers flared when Palmer began talking to WVU players, and White had to be held back by several teammates.
“I was a little fired up, I guess, White said. “I thought he was going to apologize and then he started talking. I said some things I shouldn’t have.”
That led everything to the bottom of the 10th, where White was scheduled to bat fourth in the inning.
“The whole time I was thinking I wanted to get up and win this one for my team,” White said.
After J.J. Wetherholt struck out and Grant Hussey flew out, it wasn’t looking good, but then McNeely doubled down the left field line, bringing White to the plate.
“We all just love to compete, so who wouldn’t want to be up in that situation?” he said. “I just wanted to do it for the guys.”
He singled up the middle and McNeely easily beat the throw at the plate for the winning run.
White was mobbed and his celebration saw him hurl his batting helmet out to center field.
Apparently, he’s had some similar tosses before.
“Actually I have,” White said. “There was a strike-three call when I was playing for Team Canada. I was on the bench and it rolled a little far.”
Keegan Allen (1-0) picked up the win for WVU. He pitched the final two innings and allowed no hits or walks.
Braden Barry had a double in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.
“That was a game we really had to grind out and win, and we did it,” Mazey said. “We haven’t played in many close games. Playing games like this will be a great experience.”
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