CLEMSON, S.C. – For the second straight season, the West Virginia University baseball team have advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals as the Mountaineers defeated Kentucky, 13-12, Sunday evening in the Clemson Regional Final at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The Mountaineers swept through the regional and improve to 44-14 on the season, extending its program record for wins. West Virginia will advance to next week’s super regionals, either at No. 6 LSU or at home against Little Rock. Game 7 between the Tigers and Trojans will take place on Monday.
In a wild back-and-forth affair on Sunday against Kentucky, the Mountaineers had two six-run innings, including in the eighth to take the lead. Redshirt senior Griffin Kirntwo days after throwing 7.1 innings against the Wildcats in the opener, closed out the win to earn his first save of the season.
Sophomore Armani Guzman was named the Regional MVP after going 8-for-12 on the weekend with six RBI, including four hits and three RBI on Sunday night. Junior Ben Lumsden had two hits and four RBI, freshman Gavin Kelly drove in three runs, and junior Logan saves hit a home run and had a pair of RBI.
Guzman, Kirn, Sauve, and senior Brodie Kresser all earned spots on the Regional All-Tournament Team.
The Mountaineers used eight pitchers on the night with freshman Benjamin Hudson earning his third win of the season. Kirn had a scoreless inning in the ninth which included his 100th strikeout of the year. Junior Cole Fehrman also had a strong outing with three strikeouts in a scoreless seventh inning.
Sauve got the Mountaineers on the board in the first with his eighth home run of the season. It is the third straight year that Sauve has hit a home run in regional play.
Kentucky came back to score four in the second, one in the third, and one in the fourth to take a 6-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Mountaineers put up six runs. Kelly drove in a run with a fielder’s choice before Lumsden knocked in two with a single. Guzman then singled home two more to tie the game preceding a run-scoring groundout by Sauve to put WVU on top.
The lead did not last as the Wildcats scored two in the fifth, three in the sixth, and one in the eighth to go up 12-7.
The Mountaineers did not quit and like they have done all weekend rallied with two outs in the eighth, scoring six runs. A bases-loaded walk to junior Sam White pushed across the first run before Kelly knocked in two with a single. Lumsden followed with a two-run single to tie the game before Guzman singled to put WVU on top by a run.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Wildcats had a one-out single but that was all as Kirn induced a flyout that landed in the glove of center fielder Skylar King to secure the regional title.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
West Virginia Mountaineers Baseball: A Deep Dive into Their Super Regional Triumph
Keywords: West Virginia Mountaineers baseball, NCAA Super Regionals, Clemson Regional, College Baseball, Griffin Kirn, Armani Guzman, WVU Baseball
Time.news: The West Virginia Mountaineers are heading back to the NCAA super regionals! This is a huge accomplishment. To break down their recent victory in the Clemson Regional and understand what it means for the program, we’re joined today by Dr.Evelyn Reed, a renowned college baseball analyst and former coach. Dr. Reed, welcome!
Dr.Evelyn Reed: Thanks for having me. Its a pleasure to be here.
Time.news: Let’s start with the obvious: the Mountaineers defeated Kentucky in a high-scoring 13-12 thriller. What were your immediate takeaways from that game?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Absolute resilience. That game was a roller coaster. To come back not once, but twice, from significant deficits shows the mental fortitude of this West Virginia team. they have a ‘never-say-die’ attitude that’s crucial for success in tournament play. The two six-run innings were pivotal, demonstrating their ability to capitalize on momentum swings.
Time.news: Redshirt senior Griffin Kirn closed out the game for his first save of the season, just two days after throwing over seven innings against the same team. That’s a remarkable effort. What does this say about his role on the team, and the overall pitching strategy employed throughout the regional?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Kirn’s performance speaks volumes about his dedication and the trust the coaching staff has in him. Using him in that closer role, especially after such a long outing just days before, shows a high level of confidence.WVU’s use of eight pitchers in that single game indicates a strategy focused on keeping arms fresh and exploiting matchups.They clearly aren’t afraid to go deep into their bullpen. Cole Fehrman also having a strong, scoreless outing is a grate sign for their future match ups.
Time.news: Armani Guzman was named the Regional MVP. He went 8-for-12 on the weekend with six RBI. What makes him such a potent offensive threat?
Dr.Evelyn Reed: Guzman’s consistency is key.8-for-12 is an outstanding performance. He’s clearly seeing the ball well and has a knack for driving in runs in crucial situations. his ability to get on base and deliver RBI hits is a significant factor behind WVU’s offensive success. The fact that he specifically had four hits and three RBI in the final game highlights his ability to perform under pressure. Also players like Ben Lumsden,Gavin Kelly,and Logan Sauve delivering RBIs highlight the depth of this WVU line up.
Time.news: The article mentions the team extending its program record for wins, now at 44-14. How significant is this mark in the context of WVU baseball history?
Dr.Evelyn Reed: It’s monumental. It signifies a program on the rise, reaching new heights. It likely reflects improvements in recruiting, player development, and overall team chemistry.This kind of success creates a winning culture that attracts talent and sets a higher standard for future teams.
Time.news: WVU will now face either No. 6 LSU or Little Rock in the Super Regionals. What challenges do you anticipate them facing, regardless of their opponent?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Both LSU and Little Rock present unique challenges. LSU, if they are the opponent, offers elite pitching and a potent offense, plus a opposed environment down in Baton Rouge. And regardless of opponent, the Super Regionals raise the stakes considerably. Teams are more polished, pitching is deeper, and the pressure is higher. WVU will need to maintain their composure, execute their game plan, and rely on their strong team chemistry to continue their run.
Time.news: For aspiring college baseball players and their families reading this, what’s one key takeaway from WVU’s success story that they can apply to their own journey?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Resilience and adaptability. Baseball is a game of failure. You’re going to face adversity; you’re going to have bad days. The key is how you respond.WVU’s ability to bounce back throughout that Kentucky game, and even throughout the entire season, demonstrates the importance of mental toughness and the ability to adjust to different situations. Develop those qualities, and you’ll set yourself up for success, no matter what level you’re playing at.
Time.news: Dr. Reed, this has been incredibly insightful. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.
Dr. Evelyn Reed: My pleasure. It’s exciting to see West Virginia having such a strong season.I’ll be watching the Super Regionals closely.
