West Virginia fans got to celebrate the Mountaineers baseball team earning its first trip to the Men’s College World Series on Saturday.
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However, the second day of the NCAA super regional series at Morgantown’s Kendrick Family Ballpark also brought somber news for the community.
During a weather delay on Saturday afternoon, high winds and an oncoming thunderstorm blew down a tent canopy for the Mountaineer Athletic Club in the parking lot outside the stadium. According to a statement from the university, five people were injured and transported from the accident scene for medical treatment.
“WVU would like to thank the immediate response of EMS, law enforcement and fire first responders who immediately secured the area and treated the injured spectators,” the statement said. “While it was a great day for Mountaineer baseball, all of Mountaineer Nation's thoughts are with those who were involved.”
According to WDTV, several tents and equipment were blown over by the storm and at least one person was hurt by attempting to hang onto one of them. Ambulances were quickly called to the scene to help the injured.
One person appeared to have sustained broken legs, another was caught under a pole and several others were caught under the large canopy, The Daily Atheneum reported. Additionally, an elderly man was hurt inside the ballpark after winds caused him to fall over 10 feet from a wall.
WVU officials said in the statement issued that the school has maintained contact with Morgantown health care providers “to ensure those affected are supported in their recovery.”
Following the delay, the Mountaineers baseball team defeated Cal Poly 17-1 in the second game of their NCAA tournament super regionals series. By winning both games, West Virginia advanced to the MCWS for the first time in program history and will face Troy (another first-time visitor to Omaha).