After a historic 12-0 start, WVU Baseball is receiving more attention in the national media. The Mountaineers keep winning and letting college baseball fans know that they are a team to contend with.
WVU Baseball was recently ranked 16th by Perfect Game, 22nd by the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), and 24th by USA Today Sports. A couple of weeks ago, WVU was ranked 21st by Perfect Game and 25th by NCBWA.
Rankings update 📈 #HailWV pic.twitter.com/TEUPsRyYRd
— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) March 4, 2025
The climb up the rankings can be attributed to an aggressive start from the Mountaineers that has been of the most successful stretches to open a season in decades for the program.
Slugging the ball all over the park has been the recipe for success for this WVU offense. In 12 games this season, the team is averaging a good .318 batting average and .860 OPS, with 90 runs scored. 90 runs scored through 12 games is good for an average of 7.5 runs per game. That is a recipe for success for any baseball team. Leading the way for the Mountaineers individually are Brodie Kresser, Logan Sauve, Sam White, and Skylar King.
Reliever Carson Estridge has been dominant out of the pen for WVU. The junior pitcher has appeared in three games, going 2-0 without allowing an earned run yet in 15 innings pitched. Estridge has compiled 11 strikeouts in his 15 innings of work.
On the rubber, Kirn has been second to none in his early season success. Through his first three starts, Kirn is 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in 17.2 innings, also adding 16 strikeouts. The graduate transfer from Quincy University has wasted no time making a great impression on West Virginia baseball fans. In his last start against Queens (N.C.), Kirn went 8 innings, only allowing one unearned run, and racked up 10 strikeouts in a dominant performance.
Kirn’s counterpart Gavin Van Kempen has also been good so far for the Mountaineers. The Preseason All-American Van Kempen is 2-0 on the season with a 2.70 ERA, adding 14 strikeouts in 13.1 innings pitched.
WVU will be hosting Kennesaw State (5-9) for a three-game series Friday through Sunday. The Mountaineers will be looking to keep their perfect record intact as they square off against the Owls this weekend.