Freshman Carlson Reed to Start WVU’s Play-In Game Vs Kansas

Freshman right-hander Carlson Reed will make the most important start of his young career when he takes the mound for West Virginia Tuesday in the Big 12 Baseball Tournament play-in game against Kansas.

The play-in game, which will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday from Oklahoma City, will be between No. 8-seed WVU (23-25, 8-16 Big 12) and No. 9-seed Kansas (30-26, 8-16). The winner will move on to play No. 1-seed Texas in the first round. WVU won its season series against Kansas in March, taking games one and three in Morgantown.

Reed (4-4, 5.64 ERA) has made five starts this season, primarily serving as the Mountaineers’ mid-week starter. In 13 total appearances, Reed has allowed 19 earned runs in 30 1/3 innings with 33 strikeouts. Reed pitched three innings against Kansas earlier this season on March 27. He allowed two runs on four hits. The Jayhawks will counter with junior right-hander Cole Larson (4-4, 3.16). In nine starts this season, Larson has allowed 24 earned runs in 67 2/3 innings. Larson pitched eight innings of one-run ball against the Mountaineers on March 27 earlier this season.

Last week, WVU coach Randy Mazey said senior left-hander Jackson Wolf was in contention to start Tuesday but would be working on short rest having pitched against Texas last Thursday. Wolf threw 106 pitches in the win.