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	Jedd Gyorko

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team compiled a season-high in runs scored as it defeated Duquesne, 23-6, on Wednesday evening at Duquesne Field in Pittsburgh, Pa.

WVU’s 23 runs top its previous high of 20 runs against Maryland on April 7. The Mountaineers (17-20) also produced 23 base hits on the evening, trailing their season-high of 25 hits that also came against the Terrapins.

Every WVU starting position player reached base, and seven of the eight starters posted multiple hits. WVU was sparked by its nine-run first inning, which included two home runs by junior shortstop Jedd Gyorko.

Gyorko tied his career-high of six RBIs, going 3-for-7 with three runs scored. In the opening frame, he led off the game with a solo home run to left field, his third leadoff shot of the season, then hit a three-run round-tripper in the same inning. The Morgantown resident is now batting .359 with a team-best 13 home runs and 43 RBIs this season.

“Jedd set the tone for us with his home runs in the first inning. That was the difference in the game – the nine-run first inning,” coach Greg Van Zant said. “All our hitters did a nice job. Michael Twigg had a good outing and was around the plate the whole game.”

Redshirt freshman Chris Rasky had a big performance, finishing 3-for-4 with career-highs of four RBIs, four runs scored and three walks. Rasky led off the seventh with a solo home run, his second of the year, to give WVU an 11-3 lead.

WVU produced four home runs, its second-most in a game this season. Kevin Griffin, who went 2-for-6 with two RBIs, added the team’s fourth home run with a leadoff shot to left center in the ninth inning.

Junior Dom Hayes had another superb performance at the plate, increasing his batting average to .420 by going 4-for-6 with an RBI and four runs scored. Justin McDavid finished 3-for-7 with two RBIs, extending his hitting streak to 13 games with a single to right field in the opening frame. During his streak, McDavid is batting .375 with one home run, 16 RBIs and 10 doubles.

Centerfielder Mark Dvoroznak added three hits and three RBIs, while designated hitter Jeremy Gum went 3-for-6 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored.

After the Mountaineers took a commanding 9-1 lead through three innings, Rasky hit an RBI single in the fourth inning. Duquesne responded with two runs in the fifth, but WVU retaliated with a four-run seventh frame, as McDavid and Griffin laced run-scoring singles to put the Mountaineers ahead at 14-3. Dvoroznak’s RBI single extended the WVU lead before Gyorko notched his sixth RBI on a groundout to the shortstop in the eighth.

WVU right-hander Andy Berry (2-3) delivered the win in relief, striking out six batters in two innings pitched. Berry combined with starter Twigg and Jared Hill to fan a season-high 14 batters.

Twigg allowed three runs on six hits with six strikeouts, but was ineligible for the victory since he did not meet the five-inning requirement. Hill struck out two in the final 1.2 innings pitched.

Duquesne starter Sean Clark (0-3) suffered the loss after allowing nine runs on seven hits in one inning pitched. The Dukes (7-31) used five pitchers in tonight’s contest.

WVU returns to action with a three-game set against 24th-ranked Pitt beginning on Friday, April 23, at 6 p.m. at Hawley Field. Friday’s contest is the second scheduled “Dollar Night” of the season, with all tickets, hot dogs, popcorn and Coca-Colas available for purchase for just one dollar each.