The University Hawks will face off against the Laurel Highlands Mustangs at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. University is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.3 runs per game this season.
University is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of West Virginia's top teams: Parkersburg South, who was ranked 15th at the time (University was ranked 20th). The Hawks had just enough and edged out the Patriots 4-3. The win continues a trend for the Hawks in their matchups with the Patriots: they've now won three in a row.
Brance McCune
| 04/28/25 @ Parkersburg South | 2 |
| 04/24/25 vs Buckhannon-Upshur | 2 |
| 04/23/25 vs Bridgeport | 2 |
| 04/19/25 vs Huntington | 2 |
| 04/16/25 vs Lincoln | 2 |
| + 8 more games |
Brance McCune was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base. University is 6-1 when McCune posts two or more runs, but 6-10 otherwise.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Laurel Highlands). They put the hurt on Uniontown with a sharp 7-1 victory on Tuesday. The Mustangs not only won on Tuesday, but they posted their biggest win since April 25, 2024 (when they won 13-2).
Noah Lion was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he tossed 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high.
In other pitching news, Nick Fleszar looked comfortable as he tossed 3.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Sevi Vecchiolla, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and one double. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Cage Senchur, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
Laurel Highlands was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .444. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Laurel Highlands' win ended a five-game drought on the road and puts them at 3-10. As for University, they now have a winning record of 12-11.
Laurel Highlands' pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: University hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .317. It's a different story for Laurel Highlands, though, as they've only averaged .229. Will they be able to contain University's hitters?
University was able to grind out a solid victory over Laurel Highlands in their previous meeting back in April of 2022, winning 8-4. Will the Hawks repeat their success, or do the Mustangs have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
