Kresser's Walk-Off Grand Slam Evens Series Against Columbia

Mountaineers rally in 10th inning to defeat Lions 9-5

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Brodie Kresser hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the West Virginia University baseball team to a 9-5 victory over Columbia on Saturday afternoon. The Mountaineers improve to 9-3 on the season while the Lions fall to 2-6.

Why it matters

This dramatic comeback win evens the series between the two teams, setting up a rubber match on Sunday. The Mountaineers have shown resilience to battle back from a late deficit, demonstrating the team's ability to win close games against tough opponents.

The details

Kresser's first home run of the season was also the first walk-off home run for a Mountaineer since 2024. Sophomore Gavin Kelly had three hits, including a double and a triple, while graduate student Sean Smith also collected three hits. On the mound, sophomore Chansen Cole threw 5.0 innings and allowed three runs, while freshman David Perez earned the win with 2.1 scoreless innings.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
  • Kresser's walk-off grand slam came in the bottom of the 10th inning.

The players

Brodie Kresser

A player for the West Virginia University baseball team who hit the game-winning grand slam in the 10th inning.

Gavin Kelly

A sophomore player for the West Virginia University baseball team who had three hits, including a double and a triple, and scored two runs.

Sean Smith

A graduate student player for the West Virginia University baseball team who collected three hits on the afternoon.

Chansen Cole

A sophomore pitcher for the West Virginia University baseball team who threw 5.0 innings and allowed three runs while striking out three.

David Perez

A freshman pitcher for the West Virginia University baseball team who earned the win with 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out a pair.

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What’s next

The two teams will meet on Sunday for the rubber game of the series with first pitch set for 12:30 p.m.

The takeaway

This comeback win showcases the Mountaineers' resilience and ability to win close games against tough opponents, setting up an exciting rubber match on Sunday to determine the series winner.