TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Derek Clark threw a complete game, allowing a run on four hits, and catcher Logan Sauve hit a three-run homer as third-seeded West Virginia defeated Conference USA tournament champion Dallas Baptist 4-1 to start the Tucson Regional at the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
Clark (8-2) struck out eight without a walk, although he did hit two batters, and was rarely in trouble in an efficient outing as the Mountaineers of the Big 12 Conference won their NCAA opener for the fifth time in their past five appearances.
Sauve, a sophomore, gave Clark all the support he needed with a three-run shot to center in the third inning. Ben Lumsden started the inning with a walk and was bunted to second before Dallas Baptist starter Ryan Johnson hit JJ Weatherholt to set up Sauve.
Sauve opened the sixth with a single and was doubled home by Reed Chumley two batters later.
Clark’s biggest challenge came in the eighth after he hit leadoff batter Nathaniel Humphreys and Alex Pendergast followed with a double. The Patriots got a sacrifice fly to score their lone run before Clark got the next two outs.
Clark finished things off with a 1-2-3 ninth. Johnson (11-3) took the loss for No. 2 seed Dallas Baptist.
Clark threw 101 pitches, 71 of them for strikes.
The Mountaineers (34-22) will take on either top-seeded Arizona or No. 4 seeded Grand Canyon, who play later Friday.
Dallas Baptist will take on the Arizona-Grand Canyon loser in an elimination game.
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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
