ATLANTA — Alek Manoah struck out 13 batters over six innings, a dominant performance that went to waste thanks to a letdown by West Virginia’s bullpen and a key error.
Kennesaw State rallied for three runs in the seventh to deal the Mountaineers a 5-3 loss in Friday’s baseball season opener.
The junior Manoah left with a 3-2 lead, having thrown 58 of 79 pitches for strikes. He issued no walks, a stark contrast to his wildness of 2018.
This time the control problems belonged to left-hander Nick Snyder (0-1), who hit a batter and walked two more to create a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the seventh.