WVU Baseball Falls in Big 12 Title Game as Jayhawks Get Revenge

WVU Baseball swept their regular season series against Kansas two weeks ago, putting the Jayhawks’ chances at a regular season Big 12 title in jeopardy with three wins in Lawrence.

The Jayhawks got the last laugh, however, pummeling the No. 2 seeded Mountaineers (39-14, No. 9 nationally) 9-0 in the conference championship game on Saturday, May 23. Kansas hit three home runs in a span of four pitches in the seventh inning, putting the Mountaineers’ title hopes to bed.

After Kansas broke the ice in the first inning on a solo home run from center fielder Tyson Owens, West Virginia put multiple runners aboard in the first, second, fifth and sixth inning — loading the bases in the latter two opportunities — but couldn’t come up with a run.

Brodie Kresser and Brock Wills singled to begin the fifth, moving into scoring position on a Tyrus Hall bunt. Matt Ineich singled but the ball didn’t leave the infield, forcing the runners to stay put, and a shallow fly ball from Gavin Kelly turned into a double play with Kresser nailed at home plate.

Jayhawks Go For the Jugular

Sean Smith wore a pitch to begin the sixth inning rally, then Matt Graveline singled and Armani Guzman walked. A pop fly and a ground ball ended the threat, and Kansas turned their defensive acumen into momentum at the plate with a two-out run in the bottom of the sixth that chased Ian Korn from the game after 5.2 innings and 78 pitches.

Kansas pulled away with six runs in the seventh; a Guzman error put runners at the corners, leading to an RBI single, then Josh Dykhoff obliterated a 449-foot home run to end Reese Bassinger’s night. Head coach Steve Sabins opted for Dawson Montesa, who couldn’t stop the bleeding — he gave up two home runs on his first three pitches as the Jayhawks went for the jugular.

WVU Baseball will await their NCAA Tournament fate in the selection show at noon on Monday, May 25. They will now have to hope they earned the right to host a regional, granted they have their fourth consecutive tournament all but locked up regardless.