In a thrilling extra-innings contest at Wagener Field/Kendrick Family Ballpark, West Virginia second baseman Brodie Kresser delivered a dramatic 10th-inning walk-off grand slam to secure a 9-5 victory over Columbia. The heroic moment was particularly poetic for Kresser, as a potential game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth had been nullified by a late timeout call from head coach Steve Sabins. The Mountaineers' victory was also anchored by stellar defensive play, most notably from Matthew Graveline, who preserved the tie in the ninth inning by robbing a two-run home run and throwing out a go-ahead runner at the plate an inning earlier.

Despite a four-run rally by the Lions in the sixth inning that erased a strong five-inning scoreless start by Chansen Cole, West Virginia (9-3) remained resilient. Reliever David Perez earned the win after 2.1 innings of work, while hitters Gavin Kelly and Sean Smith provided offensive support with three hits apiece. Coach Sabins praised the team's "clean defense" and battling spirit, noting that the jubilation following the win was exactly what the team needed as they prepared for the series-deciding game on Sunday.