Current West Virginia baseball coach Randy Mazey is set to retire following this season, ending a 12-year stint with the Mountaineers. That period saw the program return to prominence following a slump which saw just five 30-win seasons zero postseason appearances in the 15 years prior to his time in charge -- Mazey has since led the program to six 30-win campaigns in 11 completed seasons, and three postseason appearances with another likely to come.
Mazey earned one final triumph in Morgantown -- inside a stadium constructed during his tenure -- on Sunday as the Mountaineers (31-19,17-10) ran away to a 12-5 victory over conference foe Kansas State (29-21, 13-14), securing a 2-1 series victory over the Wildcats. The team celebrated Mazey's career before the game, and afterwards posted a tribute video online -- both highlights of the celebration and the tribute can be seen below.
A Sunday to remember!
— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) May 12, 2024
Thank you @CoachMazey once again! A legacy that will last a lifetime!#HailWV pic.twitter.com/VFtj7gdhmc
Maze brought the magic 🪄 and changed @WVUBaseball forever
— WVU Sports (@WVUSports) May 12, 2024
Thank you, @CoachMazey 🫶#HailWV pic.twitter.com/XP4S5NCqLD
In what will likely be his final game in Morgantown as well, MLB Draft prospect J.J. Wetherholt recorded a home run and drive in four RBIs. The future beyond Mazey and Wetherholt looked bright Sunday as well, as sophomores Ben Lumsden and Skylar King also added home runs while sophomores Sam White and Logan Sauve tallied three hits apiece at the plate.
On the mound, the win was earned by junior Tyler Switalski as he struck out five batters and allowing all five runs of the afternoon. Sophomore Carson Estridge pitched three scoreless innings for the Mountaineers and freshman Joseph Fredericks closed the game with perfect ninth inning.