Report: WVU Baseball Losing Starting Infielders Tyler Doanes and Matt McCormick

West Virginia could be down two starting infielders next season, according to reports from various media outlets Tuesday.

Tuesday morning, Anjelica Trinone of Blue and Gold Nation reported that starting first baseman/catcher Matt McCormick had entered the transfer portal. Later in the afternoon, Jared Serre of WVSports.com reported that starting second baseman Tyler Doanes was no longer on scholarship with the team.

McCormick, a sophomore from Orland Park, Illinois, had been one of the Mountaineers’ best hitters over the last two seasons. As a true freshman during the truncated 2020 season, McCormick hit .364 with three home runs, four doubles and 11 RBI. In 2021, his first full college season, McCormick hit .280 with seven home runs, 15 doubles and 30 RBI. He led the team in doubles (15), total bases (90) and RBI (30).

Doanes, a senior, had been WVU’s starting second baseman for three years, hitting .289 in his career. He became a starter midway through the 2018 season before breaking out in 2019. That year, Doanes hit .316 with 21 doubles, 40 runs scored and 20 stolen bases. He performed well in the shortened 2020 season, a .279 batting average in 16 games, but struggled this past year.

In 40 games, Doanes hit a career-.225 in 2021 with just six extra-base hits. He missed time throughout the year due to injuries and COVID protocols. Doanes told WVSports.com that WVU no longer had a scholarship spot for him, but he would be open to returning if there were room on the roster. He has been playing for the Frederick Keys in the MLB Draft League this summer.