BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech baseball battled back in dramatic fashion Tuesday afternoon, using a seven-run sixth inning and a walk-off hit in the ninth to defeat Bluefield University (Va.) 10-9 at Linda K. Epling Stadium. The Golden Bears improve to 11-22 overall on the season.
Bluefield struck first with a solo home run in the opening inning and continued to apply pressure, building a 6-1 lead through three innings.
WVU Tech chipped away before delivering a decisive swing in the sixth.
After Nate Wolfe tripled to open the inning and scored on a groundout, the Golden Bears ignited a seven-run frame. Brayden (Kibbi) Kiblinger followed with an RBI triple, Nolan Copeland added an RBI single, and JJ Polvinale drove in a run with a base hit. Jacob Tompkins delivered a key two-run double, and Wolfe capped the inning with an RBI single to give WVU Tech an 8-6 lead.
Bluefield responded in the eighth with a three-run home run to reclaim a 9-8 advantage.
The Golden Bears answered again in the bottom half. Gabe Templeton reached and came around to score on a sacrifice bunt by Carson Brown, tying the game at 9-9.
On the mound, WVU Tech used nine pitchers to manage the game and keep the deficit within reach. Aidan McGlothlin provided a steady stretch with 2.0 innings and three strikeouts, while Andrew Lynch and Jonas Franti combined for two scoreless innings in relief. Clayton Hargus closed the door in the ninth, stranding the go-ahead run and earning the win.
In the ninth, WVU Tech delivered the final blow.
Brayden (Kibbi) Kiblinger worked a walk and Nolan Copeland was hit by a pitch to put two on. Angel Leiva then stepped up and lined a walk-off RBI single to left field, scoring Kiblinger and sealing the 10-9 comeback victory.
Golden Bear Highlights
- Angel Leiva – walk-off RBI single
- Brayden (Kibbi) Kiblinger – 2-for-4, double, triple, 2 runs
- Nate Wolfe – 2-for-3, triple, 2 RBI
- Gabe Templeton – 2-for-4, 3 runs scored
- JJ Polvinale – 2-for-4, RBI
- Nolan Copeland – 2-for-3, double, RBI
- Aidan McGlothlin – 2.0 IP, 3 K
- Andrew Lynch – 1.0 IP, 0 R
- Jonas Franti – 1.0 IP, 0 R
- Clayton Hargus – 1.0 IP, win
Season Leaders
Through 33 games, WVU Tech is batting .269 as a team with 197 runs, 261 hits and 75 extra-base hits on the season.
Gabe Templeton leads the Golden Bears with a .345 batting average, adding 29 hits and 20 runs scored. Jake Tompkins paces the team with 32 RBIs, four home runs and 27 hits, while Joshua Tibbits has recorded four home runs and 15 RBIs. Maddex Sims has contributed 23 hits, nine doubles, two triples and 18 runs scored.
On the mound, WVU Tech owns a 2.06 WHIP, ranking among the best marks in the conference. Cameron Lynch leads the pitching staff with 26 strikeouts in 26.2 innings, while Braedan Pakkala has added 23 strikeouts. Jonas Franti has been a reliable option out of the bullpen with a 3.27 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 11.0 innings.
What's Next
WVU Tech returns to River States Conference play this weekend, hosting Rio Grande (Ohio) for a three-game series at Linda K. Epling Stadium. First pitch is set for Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday.
