Kresser
- Guzman
MORGANTOWN — And on the season goes.
After completing its regular season and bob-tailed conference tournament stay with too many losses and too many injuries, West Virginia University rose from the still-glowing baseball ashes and used the pitching of Griffin Kirn, huge rallies and comeback after comeback to win the Clemson-hosted Regional by going 3-0 in its gilt-edged ways.
The Mountaineers began their storybook series of unlikely successes by trailing Kentucky by three runs, before surging through the late innings to get a 4-3 win. Next came a game against host Clemson, where the now-familiar Mountaineer scenario had the Tigers leading through the early innings, only to be dragged down by another late-game WVU insurgence that finally brought a 9-6 win when in the last of the ninth with the enemy having the bases loaded Ben McDougal struck out the last batter to preserve the last of the Mountaineer lead. McDougal got a save after Chase Meyer had pitched 2.1 innings in getting the win in relieve of starter Jack Kartsonas, who went 5.1 innings.
As the last remaining unbeaten team, WVU faced Kentucky again.
Why change a script that nearly caused apoplexy, but had been used to continue winning? The Mountaineers did not change the what-just-happened ending.
Kirn
Kentucky took leads of 6-1 and 12-7 — but WVU had the Wildcats right where they wanted them!
A six-run uprising brought WVU a 7-6 lead, which quickly evaporated. It took still another six-run rally to get back in front at 13-12 in the draining four-hour and 31 minute near-marathon.
In the ninth, WVU’s eighth pitcher, opening game winner Kirn, reported for relief duty. He gave up a harmless single, but fanned the final man he saw to get a save and help send the Mountaineers on to their second consecutive Super Regional this weekend.
Led by Kirn, the list of blue and gold heroes was long and glorious.
Armani Guzman was named the Regional’s MVP. In WVU’s three games he was 8-for-12 with six RBIs. Placed alongside Guzman on the All-Tournament team were Brodie Kresser, Logan Sauve and Kirn.
Sauve
In the 13-12 win over Kentucky, Ben Lumsden had four RBIs and freshman Gavin Kelly had three.
WVU had to use eight pitchers and they combined to issue 10 walks and hit two batters. The defense committed five errors.
Ineffective starter Robby Porco was followed by ineffective Reese Bassinger and ineffective Carson Estridge.
Cole Fehrman walked two, but also struck out the side in his one scoreless inning.
West Virginia is one of 16 teams remaining in their quests for a national championship.
Guzman
As of Monday at noon, their opponent was unknown as was their next destination. The Mountaineers were to next face the winner of the LSU vs. Little Rock game that was to played on Monday night. If Little Rock won, the Mountaineers would host it in a best-of-three series. If LSU won, the Mountaineers would travel to Baton Rouge for a similar best-of-three series.
In all its baseball history, WVU has never advanced past a Super Regional or District Tournament and galloped into the College World Series. And it has never won a Super Regional game.
This could be the school’s high-water mark in its baseball history.
It is certainly historical . . . and breath-taking . . . and still in its “what’s next” epic story line.
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