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WVU baseball remains atop Big 12 following third straight conference sweep

ByDylan Pauley|
Jeffrey Camarati-Imagn Images

West Virginia baseball is having what could end up being a historic season in 2025. The Mountaineers currently sit with 34 wins, which they achieved by Easter Sunday -- a huge accomplishment for the program.

The Mountaineers now hold an impressive 11-game winning streak against Big 12 opponents and a series sweep this past weekend over Cincinnati has the Mountaineers sitting in the driver's seat in the Big 12 Conference as we enter the homestretch of the 2025 regular season.

Game One: WVU 3, Cincinnati 2

Game One against Cincinnati last Thursday was all about two former Big 12 Pitchers of the Week, Griffin Kirn and Chase Meyer. Thursday’s game witnessed another gem from starter Kirn, whoearnedCo-Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors a few weeks ago for his dominant performance. Kirn went 5.2 innings pitched (2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, and 6 Ks) before giving way to another former Big 12 Pitcher of the Week inMeyer. Meyer recorded the last 10 outs, going 3.1 innings pitched (0 R, 1 H, 2 BBs, and 5 Ks).

Meyer not allowing a hit through the last 10 outs was vital for the Mountaineers, as the WVU offense was only able to manufacture three runs.West Virginia nativeJace “Rhino” Rinehart did most of the damage offensively for the Mountaineers in Game One. Rinehart finished with 2-3 (one double) with two RBIs. Rhino’s RBI double in the bottom of the sixth plated the winning run, thanks to Meyer’s relief efforts.

Rinehart delivers!

B6 | Bearcats 2, Mountaineers 3pic.twitter.com/r3FoiMpOfR

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball)April 18, 2025

Two nice plays were made in the field for WVU during the matchup. Chase Swain made agreat throwto toss a runner out at home plate -- the would-be scoring run would have made it a 3-2 game in favor of the Bearcats if Swain had not made the play. Later in the game, Meyer helped his own cause byfielding his positionbefore starting a 1-6-3 double play to get the Mountaineers out of the eighth inning with the lead.

Out at home 🎯

T6 | Bearcats 2, Mountaineers 2pic.twitter.com/ZAiFAn6rYM

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball)April 18, 2025

Turn it 🔁

M8 | Bearcats 2, Mountaineers 3pic.twitter.com/ZnimZv9Ne1

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball)April 18, 2025

Game Two: WVU 6, Cincinnati 4

11 hits and three home runs propelled WVU to the win on Friday for Game Two of the series.Reigning Big 12 Player of the WeekLogan Sauve, Rinehart, and programhome-run leaderGrant Hussey, all sent hits out of the ballpark on Friday. The final lines for the three home run hitters were-- Sauve 1-4 (1 RBI), Rinehart 3-4 (2 RBIs and 2 Rs), and Hussey 1-3 (2 RBIs and 1 R).

No doubt about it!@SauveLoganpic.twitter.com/2HaB8U6B7L

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball)April 19, 2025

Getting the start on the mound was Gavin Van Kempen. Although he was not able to go deep into the game, he gave Sabins four innings of one-run baseball (4 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, and 3 K). Reese Bassinger was huge on the mound as well, earning the win and getting out of a jam with two runners on base in the fifth. Bassinger final line read 4 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, and 4 K. Carson Estridge, who has gotten some starts in the 2025 season, came in to get the save working a perfect ninth inning (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, and 1 K).

Fire us up, Bass!!@bassinger29comes in with two on and puts out the fire!

M6 | Bearcats 1, Mountaineers 2pic.twitter.com/WBnJheOCjz

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball)April 19, 2025

True freshman Gavin Kelly has found ways to make a positive impact for the Mountaineers. For Friday’s game, it was showcased in his glove. Getting the start at second base, Kelly made a diving stop to get an out at first during the second inning.

Doesn't matter where you put him,@gavin_kelly18will make the play!pic.twitter.com/Y0VKhovnnu

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball)April 18, 2025

Game Three: WVU 10, Cincinnati 5

Saturday’s game consisted of another offensive explosion from the Mountaineers, as they scored10 runs scored on 13 hits. Sauve, Rinehart, Sam White, Swain, and Brodie Kresser all recorded a multi-hit game. Sauve hit another home run on Saturdayto tie him with the team leadin home runs (7, tied with Rinehart). The Mountaineers used four-run fifth and sixth innings to boost them to their 13th conference win.

Logan’s now tied for the team lead with 7️⃣ home runs!@SauveLoganpic.twitter.com/jKqUjmmvER

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball)April 19, 2025

On the bump for WVU, Jack Kartsonas (1.78 ERA) got his second start of the season and pitched very well. Kartsonas’ final line: 6 IP, 1 R (O ER), 1 H, 3 BB, and 7 Ks. He even helped his own cause,fielding a comebacker to the moundto retire the leadoff hitter in the third inning. Senior pitcher Tyler Hudson threw 1.2 innings of zero runs, hits, and walks. Hudson also added three strikeouts.

WVU will travel to UCF for their conference series this coming weekend. The Mountaineers will hope to continue their 11-game winning streak against conference opponents.


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