BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech baseball put together a strong all-around effort Thursday afternoon, using timely power at the plate and a steady bullpen performance to earn a 7-1 win over Bluefield State University at Linda K. Epling Stadium. The Golden Bears move to 8-16 overall on the season.
Bluefield State grabbed an early lead with a solo home run in the top of the first, but the Golden Bears answered immediately and controlled the rest of the game.
After Jake Tompkins doubled and Gabe Templeton worked a walk in the bottom of the first, Joshua Tibbits launched a three-run home run to right field to put WVU Tech in front 3-1.
The Golden Bears added to the lead in the fourth. Maximiliano Arroba reached and Maddex Sims followed with an RBI double to left, stretching the advantage to 4-1.
WVU Tech kept applying pressure in the sixth. Tompkins reached, moved around the bases, and scored on a passed ball to make it 5-1. In the eighth, Tibbits struck again with a solo home run to center, his second long ball of the day, before Brayden (Kibbi) Kiblinger drove in JJ Polvinale with an RBI single for the final 7-1 margin.
Tibbits finished 2-for-3 with two home runs, four RBIs and two walks, while Tompkins went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and a walk. Polvinale added two hits and a run scored, and Sims contributed an RBI double.
On the mound, WVU Tech's bullpen was sharp after the first inning. Dale Boone earned the win in relief, and the Golden Bears used eight pitchers to hold Bluefield State to just one run on five hits over nine innings.
Golden Bear Highlights
Season Leaders
Through 24 games, Gabe Templeton leads WVU Tech with a .350 batting average, while Jake Tompkins paces the Golden Bears with 29 RBIs, four home runs and 27 hits. Maddex Sims leads the team with 16 runs scored and has added 23 hits, eight doubles and two triples, while Joshua Tibbits is batting .319 with four home runs and 13 RBIs.
On the mound, Cameron Lynch leads WVU Tech with 26 strikeouts in 26.2 innings pitched. Braedan Pakkala has recorded 23 strikeouts, while Jonas Franti owns a 3.27 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 11.0 innings out of the bullpen.
What's Next
WVU Tech returns to River States Conference play Friday, opening a three-game road series at No. 25 Oakland City University. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. in Oakland City, Indiana.
