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WVU baseball beats Tech in tourney

By Matthew Peaslee

May 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wooden baseball bats rest in the rack before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wooden baseball bats rest in the rack before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wooden baseball bats rest in the rack before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wooden baseball bats rest in the rack before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The WVU baseball team proved it can hang with the best last week when it took on the best team in the Big 12 Conference, Texas Tech.  On Thursday, the Mountaineers made a claim that they are the best in the league by beating the Red Raiders in Oklahoma City.

In the second round of the Big 12 Tournament, the Mountaineers upended the Red Raiders in convincing fashion, 9-4.

Related Story: WVU baseball players earn Big 12 honors

The WVU baseball team showed their grit in the final weeks of the regular season and the Mountaineers have continued to carry that momentum into the conference tournament. The final weekend of the season took place in Lubbock, Texas as the Mountaineers faced Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders already captured the top seed in the Big 12 Tournament before they met the Mountaineers in the final weekend of the season. Still, they took two of three from West Virginia.

However, even aside from the one victory, the Mountaineers competed tightly with the Red Raiders on their home turf.

At a neutral site, the Mountaineers proved to be the better, and more dominant team.

WVU took an early 2-0 lead on a home run by slugger Jackson Cramer. Though Texas Tech would tie it up, the Mountaineers later broke out at the plate.

As part of his three-hit day, leadoff hitter Kyle Davis roped a bases-clearing triple for three runs in the seventh inning. The Mountaineers would get one more in that frame on a sacrifice fly by Ivan Vera.

It’s been contagious case of hitting for the Mountaineers at this time, and it’s coming at the most opportune occasions.

"“It’s so much fun as a coach to watch young kids mature, not just on the field, but off the field as well and the turnaround they make,” said WVU head coach Mazey said. “This may be the most fun I’ve had coaching a team in my coaching career. They’re a lot of fun to be around. They work hard. They are loose. They love each other. We have a great relationship between the players and the coaches. They all root for each other.”"

The players, coaches had fans, alike, showed support for pitcher BJ Myers has he had to pick up the slack in Thursday’s game. Unexpectedly, WVU starting pitcher Chad Donato went down with an injury in the second inning. On short rest, Myers came in and was effective over the next 4.2 innings.

Related Story: WVU baseball wins final regular season game

Myers only allowed two hits during a time when the Mountaineers were putting in work at the plate.

The win was West Virginia’s 35th of the year. It may not be enough for the Mountaineers to make the NCAA Tournament, though. However, if the tournament committee wasn’t paying attention yet, they certainly have to be keeping an eye on these hot Mountaineers.

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