WISE - - Winston-Salem State used a six-run second inning to claim an 11-7 win over UVa-Wise at Stallard Field Wednesday night. Rams' leadoff hitter Jason Baytop joined Willie McRae with three hits as the pair combined to knock in five and score three runs as the visitors completed a season-season sweep of the Cavaliers.
Justin Leary started the game for UVa-Wise (15-18) and the freshman posted a zero in the top of the first inning as the right-hander was making his collegiate debut. Leary was the first of 10 different Cavs to appear on the mound as the team was playing its fifth game in four days.
UVa-Wise took its only lead of the game in the home first. Leadoff man Marcus Elmore was hit by a pitch before stealing second and advancing to third on an error. Two batters later, Elmore scored when Steve Klaiber grounded out to the shortstop.
Winston-Salem State (19-18) starter Sam Burton would settle down from that point and get out of the inning without further damage.
His club would give him a lead for good in the top of the second as the Rams struck for six runs. Lan Steiner delivered the big blow in the frame when his two-out two-RBI hit scored Baytop and McRae.
Winston-Salem State tacked on two more runs in the third frame on an Emil Abreu's two-RBI single.
The Cavaliers began their comeback in the home sixth. Ty Lighton reached on a bunt single to lead off the inning before moving to second on an errant throw. Following a second error and a walk, Lighton scampered home from third on a wild pitch.
Hank Banner's club added a second run in the inning when Klaiber raced home on a passed ball.
The Rams picked up their eighth run of the contest when McRae singled in Orlando Cannon to push the lead to 9-3.
UVa-Wise had its most productive offensive inning of the game in the home half of the seventh. Klaiber, Ben Coffman, Tye Marshall and Vinny Kuchenbuch would produce four consecutive two-out hits to score three runs.
After a scoreless top half of the eighth inning, the Cavs had their best chance to tie the game.
David Thomas led off the frame with an infield single before Brett Yates reached on a throwing error to allow the tying run to reach base.
At that point, Winston-Salem State brought in its closer Jordan Cummings. The hard-throwing right-hander would strike out consecutive hitters before getting some help from his defense when Klaiber lined out sharply to third base to end the threat.
The Rams added two runs in the top half of the ninth to make the score 11-6 going to the bottom of the ninth.
UVa-Wise scored its final run of the game on a two-out RBI double by Matt Wright to provide the final margin of 11-7.
Burton tossed 5 2/3 innings of three-run ball. The Pikeville, Ky. native scattered three hits and struck out a pair in his first win of the year.
Cummings fanned four in his two innings of work as he collected his sixth save of 2016.
Lighton and Thomas led UVa-Wise with two hits each while Klaiber knocked in two and scored a pair.
Nathan Hatmaker, Kellen Larkin, Kenny Ball, Justin Zaferakis and Chase Patrylak joined Leary as Cav hurlers who did not allow a run.
UVa-Wise will return to league play Saturday when two-time defending Mountain East Conference champion West Virginia State visits Stallard Field. Game one of the four-game set is scheduled for 1 p.m.
