WVU Baseball Bounces Back for Dominant Win

They lost a heartbreaker in the longest home game in program history in the early hours of March 22, but WVU Baseball didn’t suffer from any emotional comedown. Instead, they put on a show of pure dominance, throttling the Arizona Wildcats 11-3 at Kendrick Family Ballpark on Saturday.

The Mountaineers (19-2, 2-1 Big 12) logged six extra base hits, including a pair of RBI doubles from Sam White and a Jace Rinehart home run. Arizona drew first blood with one run apiece in the first and second innings, chasing starter Gavin Van Kempen from the game after 3.2 innings, three earned runs and 64 pitches thrown.

Back in the win column!#HailWV pic.twitter.com/sKNykwziGq

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) March 23, 2025

Reese Bassinger took over in relief and closed the game out with 5.1 scoreless innings, saving the Mountaineers’ bullpen after the Friday night marathon and picking up the win after punching out eight Wildcats.

Trailing 2-0 early, a West Virginia rally began thanks to a fielding error in the third inning, one that culminated in a two-run double from White. Arizona catcher Tommy Splaine and Rinehart traded solo shots in the fourth, then six consecutive Mountaineers reached base as West Virginia blew the game open, gifting Bassinger — who allowed just two base runners on the day — plenty of cushion to work his magic.

WVU Baseball will host the Wildcats for the rubber match starting at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 23.