BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech baseball produced several explosive innings and strong offensive performances during a three-game River States Conference series against Brescia University this weekend at Linda K. Epling Stadium.
The Golden Bears combined for 46 runs and 49 hits across the three games, including multiple big innings and several multi-hit efforts throughout the lineup.
WVU Tech now stands 7-16 overall and 2-7 in River States Conference play.
Game 1 – Brescia 29, WVU Tech 14
WVU Tech came out swinging in the opener, erupting for six runs in the first inning to seize early momentum.
After Maddex Sims reached base and Angel Leiva got aboard, Jake Tompkins launched a three-run home run to center field to put the Golden Bears ahead early. Tyler Mackey later added an RBI triple and JJ Polvinale drove in another run with a single to cap the big inning.
The Golden Bears continued to produce offensively throughout the game. Tech plated four runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Tompkins' second home run of the day, while Joshua Tibbits added a two-run double during the rally.
Tompkins led the offense with three hits, two home runs and four RBIs, while Polvinale also recorded three hits as WVU Tech totaled 18 hits in the contest.
Game 2 – Brescia 14, WVU Tech 13 (11 innings)
Game two turned into a back-and-forth offensive battle as the teams combined for 27 runs and 35 hits in an 11-inning contest.
Brescia jumped ahead early with a three-run homer in the first, but WVU Tech answered in the second inning when Joshua Tibbits blasted a solo home run and Braedan Pakkala drove in another run.
The Golden Bears surged ahead in the third inning behind Brayden (Kibbi) Kiblinger's RBI double, then added three more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 8-3.
Brescia rallied late to force extra innings before eventually edging the Golden Bears in the 11th.
Kiblinger finished with two hits and an RBI, while Sims, Gabe Templeton and Tibbits each recorded multi-hit games as Tech finished with 15 hits.
Game 3 – Brescia 9, WVU Tech 8 (9 innings)
The series finale provided another tight contest as the Golden Bears nearly completed a late comeback.
WVU Tech jumped ahead early with four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Joshua Tibbits and an RBI single from Brayden (Kibbi) Kiblinger.
Brescia gradually moved in front, but the Golden Bears remained within striking distance throughout the game. WVU Tech added a run in the sixth and rallied for three runs in the seventh to close the gap to one.
The Golden Bears finished with 16 hits, including three from Jake Tompkins and multi-hit efforts from Maddex Sims, Gabe Templeton, Nolan Copeland and Brayden (Kibbi) Kiblinger. Despite the late push, Brescia held on for the narrow 9-8 victory.
Golden Bear Highlights
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Season Leaders
Through 23 games, Angel Leiva leads WVU Tech with a .333 batting average, while Jake Tompkins paces the Golden Bears with 29 RBIs and four home runs. Maddex Sims leads the team with 22 hits and 16 runs scored, while Gabe Templeton is batting .356 with 21 hits and eight RBIs.
On the mound, Cameron Lynch leads WVU Tech with 26 strikeouts in 26.2 innings pitched. Jonas Franti has also been solid in relief, recording 13 strikeouts in 10.0 innings with a 3.60 ERA.
What's Next
WVU Tech returns to action Tuesday, March 17, when the Golden Bears host Milligan University at 1 p.m. at Linda K. Epling Stadium. Tech then heads to Oakland City University for a three-game River States Conference series March 21-22.
