WVU Baseball Drops Kansas State Series After Another Bullpen Blowup

WVU Baseball dropped their road series with Kansas State on Sunday, May 11, falling 14-9 as the Wildcats blew up their bullpen for seven runs in the eighth inning.

Continuing a worrisome trend, Kansas State rocked the usually reliable Reese Bassinger and Carson Estridge. Clinging to an 8-7 lead, head coach Steve Sabins gave Bassinger the hook after he hit one batter and allowed a double to begin the decisive eighth. Estridge promptly gave up the lead then allowed the Wildcats to pull ahead with a pair of singles. When the dust settled, Kansas State led 14-8 courtesy of a Seth Dardar grand slam.

Although the Mountaineers (40-10, 19-6 Big 12) took an early 3-0 lead, Kansas State tagged starting pitcher Jack Kartsonas for two runs a piece in the third and fourth innings, ending his day early and putting the onus on an already strained West Virginia bullpen.

They then punished Tyler Hutson for three runs without an out recorded, but the Mountaineers managed to reclaim the lead in the seventh on a three-run bomb from Sam White, who finished his day with three hits, a triple shy of the cycle.

Once again, however, West Virginia’s bullpen couldn’t seal the deal.

Up next, WVU Baseball will begin their final home series of the regular season, hosting Kansas for a three game set that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.