WVU Baseball Scores 4 Unanswered Runs, Opens NCAA Regional with Walk-Off Win

WVU Baseball walked off the Kentucky Wildcats 4-3 to open their NCAA Tournament run in the Clemson Regional after scoring four unanswered runs and exacting revenge on the team that ended their 2023 season.

Making his first start since May 4, shortstop Armani Guzman, a surprise addition to the starting lineup, plated the winning run via a ninth inning sacrifice fly. Guzman went 2-for-3 with a run scored. The game began two hours and 45 minutes behind schedule as a result of a rain delay.

COMEBACK COMPLETE ✅@mani_ftn ✖️ @brodiekresser pic.twitter.com/o6Jqs7qHDD

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) May 30, 2025

After a shaky start, Mountaineers starter Griffin Kirn rebounded for 7.1 innings pitched, striking out seven batters on 118 pitches and allowing just one earned run.

The Wildcats loaded the bases against Kirn in the first inning, but the veteran lefty induced a double play to escape the jam. West Virginia put runners on base in each of the first three innings but couldn’t break the ice. Instead, Kentucky took a 3-0 lead in the fourth. A bunt single scratched one run across, while a throwing error from shortstop Brodie Kresser allowed two more runs.

Final pitch of the day for Kirn is a punchout!

Gutsy performance by the senior 👏 pic.twitter.com/NkWIjF7nTI

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) May 30, 2025

The Mountaineers cracked Kentucky starter Ben Cleaver with two outs in the fifth, two Wildcats errors allowing the rally to continue as West Virginia closed the deficit to 3-2.

Gavin Kelly opened the sixth with a double, coming around to tie the game after a pair of productive outs.

Reese Bassinger took over for Kirn with one out in the eighth, firing 1.2 scoreless innings and setting the stage for Guzman’s heroics.

Brodie Kresser led off the ninth with a double down the left field line, taking third on a passed ball.

WVU Baseball will face the winner of tonight’s game between Clemson and USC Upstate at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 31.