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	Jedd Gyorko

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Junior Jedd Gyorko’s seventh-inning grand slam clinched the West Virginia University baseball team’s 13-6 victory over Eastern Michigan on Sunday afternoon at Hawley Field.

Eastern Michigan reliever Joe Battistelli threw an inside fastball that Gyorko hammered to left field, ricocheting off the nearby Shell Building to put the Mountaineers (10-10) ahead 13-4. It was Gyorko’s sixth home run of the season, as he helped WVU produce 18 base hits, its second-highest total this season. Gyorko also tied a career high with five RBIs, the fourth time he has accomplished the feat and the first time he has done it this season.

WVU amassed two other runs in the seventh frame, scoring on Justin McDavid’s RBI single up the middle as well as designated hitter Chris Rasky’s bases-loaded walk.

The Mountaineers took three of four from the Eagles (6-13) this weekend, giving WVU a 7-3 mark in its first homestand of the season. WVU also gets back to the .500 mark.

“Our team improved in these first 10 home games,” coach Greg Van Zant said. “Eastern Michigan is a well-balanced ballclub and winning a series against them will hopefully help our team as we prepare for BIG EAST play.”

Four runs were scored in the second inning to put WVU off to a fast 5-2 start. Junior Kevin Griffin hit a run-scoring single through the left side, and Gyorko followed with another RBI single up the middle. Two batters later, Grant Buckner’s sharp two-run double down the left field line gave the Mountaineers a three-run cushion.

Freshman Matt Malloy led off the third inning with a first-pitch solo home run over the left center wall, his third of the season. In the fifth, McDavid pulled a key RBI single to right field to give WVU a 6-4 lead.

Buckner led WVU at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Gyorko, Dom Hayes, Matt Frazer, Malloy, Colin Durborow and McDavid each finished with two hits apiece. McDavid also recorded his team-leading sixth multiple RBI game, driving in two runs.

On the mound, WVU reliever Chris Enourato (3-0) picked up his third victory of the season after giving up two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. After initially surrendering a two-run double to Todd Graves when he entered the game with the bases loaded in the fourth, the Bridgeport, W.Va., native did not allow a hit to his next 11 batters.

Enourato has now struck out 34 batters compared to just three walks this season, all in 25.2 innings pitched. He threw 57 of his 82 pitches for strikes, and suppressed EMU’s offense while WVU broke through with seven runs between the fifth and seventh innings.

WVU starter Eric Hinkle took a no decision after giving up three earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts in 3.2 frames.

WVU’s pitching staff was aided by a bevy of superb defensive plays. Two notable highlights included a play in the fourth when leadoff batter Aaron Chavez hit a hard grounder between the third base and shortstop gap. Gyorko was forced to range to his right and in one motion made a tremendous throw across his body to get the out at first base.

Another play was made by defensive replacement Clark Sambuco, who came in for Frazer in left field in the ninth. Graves hit a hard shot that nearly went over the left field wall, and Sambuco jumped to make the catch while crashing into the wall to rob Graves of extra bases.

EMU starter Collin Taylor (1-2) took the loss with five runs on five hits in 1.2 innings pitched. Relievers Battistelli and Tim Combs combined to throw the final 6.1 innings and gave up eight runs on 13 hits.

WVU goes back on the road for four consecutive games, starting with a non-conference matchup against Bowling Green State on Tuesday, March 23, in Chillicothe, Ohio. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.