MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Interstat) — Brodie Kresser launched a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday, capping a late rally and lifting West Virginia to a 9-5 victory over Columbia in a nonconference baseball game that stretched from afternoon into evening.

The Mountaineers, who trailed 5-2 entering the seventh inning, completed the comeback in dramatic fashion against the Lions. With the score tied 5-5 in the 10th, West Virginia loaded the bases with one out against Columbia reliever Evan Kleinhans. After a force out at home, Kresser stepped to the plate and drove a 1-0 pitch over the left-field wall for his first home run of the season, ending the game.

The blast was the culmination of a back-and-forth contest that saw Columbia build an early lead. The Lions plated three runs in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a West Virginia error to score two unearned runs. Jackson Brewer’s bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly by Charlie Slabaugh gave Columbia a 5-2 advantage.

West Virginia began chipping away in the bottom of the seventh. Paul Schoenfeld scored from first on a Matthew Graveline single and a throwing error by Brewer in right field. Brock Wills followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 5-5.

Columbia reclaimed the lead in the eighth. Brewer, who finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, doubled to score Hunter Snyder, but Jimmy Chadwell was thrown out at the plate to end the inning, preserving a one-run margin.

The Lions’ bullpen, which had been stellar, kept the Mountaineers at bay into the extra frame. Relievers Will Harrigan, Thomas Santana and Ray Huke combined for 7 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Huke was particularly effective, retiring all seven batters he faced over 2 1/3 perfect innings.

West Virginia’ offense, which managed 15 hits, was led by Kresser’s four RBIs and catcher Gavin Kelly, who went 3-for-5 with a triple and a double. David Perez earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Chansen Cole started for West Virginia, allowing two earned runs over five innings. Columbia starter Ray Huke took a no-decision after being pulled following four innings.

The most important sequence of the game was the bottom of the 10th inning. After Tyrus Hall led off with an infield single and Matt Ineich lined out, Kelly was hit by a pitch. Schoenfeld then walked to load the bases. Graveline hit a grounder to short, resulting in a force out at home for the second out, setting the stage for Kresser’s game-winning swing.

The victory improved West Virginia’s record to 9-3, while Columbia fell to 1-5. The teams conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon.