First Big 12 Sweep Elevates WVU Baseball in National Polls

Another series win and the first sweep in Big 12 play has elevated WVU baseball in the national polls at the start of the new week.

West Virginia is now ranked as high as No. 15 by Baseball America, 17th by D1 Baseball and also remains firmly within the top 25 via Perfect Game at No. 18.

WVU Baseball needed just eight innings to complete a series sweep of the BYU Cougars on Saturday, March 21, earning an 11-1 run rule decision behind another strong start from left-hander Maxx Yehl and two steals of home plate.

The Mountaineers took a 4-0 lead in the second inning, third baseman Tyrus Hall drawing a throw to second base that allowed Armani Guzman to dash home. Hall flashed his speed as the inning went on with a straight steal of home, then Gavin Kelly and Paul Schoenfeld drew walks to keep the two-out rally going, Brock Wills singling Kelly home.

West Virginia’s offense slowed down in the middle innings, but Yehl worked through traffic to maintain the lead, completing seven frames and striking out 11 batters on an economical 96 pitches. He allowed just one run, a leadoff homer in the sixth inning, keeping his ERA at a miniscule 0.84. The Mountaineers pummeled BYU’s bullpen as the game went on, tagging Cayson Bell for two runs in his fourth and final inning of work. Bell allowed a home run to Sean Smith then got the hook after a Guzman walk.

Seven straight balls from Austin Park, including one that plunked Matt Ineich, loaded the bases, setting up a Kelly single that brought Guzman home but ended the inning with Ineich thrown out reaching. West Virginia loaded the bases with one out in the eighth: Matt Graveline walked in a run, a failed fielders’ choice kept the line moving, and Hall called game with a walk-off sacrifice fly that triggered the run rule.

WVU (16-4, 5-1, Big 12) will return to action on the road against Marshall at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24.

Find more coverage of the WVU baseball program at WV Sports Now.