PIKEVILLE, Ky. — WVU Tech baseball jumped out to an early lead Tuesday afternoon and finished with 13 hits, but the Golden Bears fell 7-4 to the University of Pikeville in nonconference action. WVU Tech now stands 11-26 overall on the season.
The Golden Bears wasted little time getting on the board. After Maddex Sims opened the game with a single, Gabe Templeton launched a solo home run to center field. Cody Cooper later singled, Joshua Tibbits drove him home with an RBI double, and JJ Polvinale followed with an RBI single to give Tech a 3-0 lead in the opening inning.
Pikeville answered with a run in the first, another in the third and two more in the fourth to move in front 4-3. WVU Tech continued to threaten, but Pikeville added two runs in the fifth and another in the eighth to stretch the lead to 7-3.
The Golden Bears kept battling into the ninth. Brayden Kiblinger worked a leadoff walk, and Zachary Hunt doubled to drive in a run before being thrown out at third. Maddex Sims then singled and Templeton was hit by a pitch to bring the tying run to the plate, but Pikeville was able to record the final out and hold on for the 7-4 decision.
WVU Tech had production throughout the lineup. Sims went 3-for-5, Cooper finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, Nate Wolfe went 2-for-2 with a double off the bench, and Reece Patterson added a pair of hits in relief. Templeton homered and drove in a run, while Tibbits, Polvinale and Hunt also recorded RBIs.
On the mound, Tate Martino struck out seven over 3.2 innings in the start. Stefan Machkovski followed with 2.1 innings of relief and allowed just two hits while striking out three, and Aidan McGlothlin added 1.2 innings as the Golden Bears worked to keep the game within reach.
Golden Bear Highlights
Season Leaders
Through 37 games, WVU Tech is batting .275 as a team with 211 runs, 304 hits and 84 extra-base hits on the season. Gabe Templeton leads the Golden Bears with a .333 batting average, 33 hits and 24 runs scored. Jake Tompkins paces the team with 33 RBIs and four home runs, while JJ Polvinale has added 29 hits and 18 RBIs. Maddex Sims has contributed 32 hits, nine doubles, two triples and 15 RBIs, and Joshua Tibbits has recorded four home runs and 16 RBIs. On the mound, WVU Tech owns a 1.99 WHIP. Marco Viteri Moran leads the staff with 37 strikeouts, while Braedan Pakkala has 36 and Cameron Lynch has 34.
What's Next
WVU Tech returns to River States Conference play this weekend, hosting Indiana University Kokomo 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 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
