Maybe it’s something in the air, or perhaps it’s the snow finally melting around campus and the practice facilities—but one thing’s for sure: the WVU baseball team is on fire! The Mountaineers are a perfect 12-0 for the first time since winning the first 14 games to start the 1963 season. Read more WVU Baseball’s Undefeated Start Builds Momentum for Big 12 Play.
Coach Steve Sabins couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season. In his first year at the helm after taking over for Randy Mazey, he has successfully maintained the momentum from last year’s historic run to the NCAA Super Regionals—the first in program history. Despite being one of just seven undefeated NCAA Division I baseball teams, WVU remains unranked in the official NCAA poll heading into the week, a surprise to many.
RPI Rankings
While they do hold the No. 23 spot in the RPI rankings, it’s not quite time to play the ‘disrespect’ card. The early-season schedule has been manageable, with their first true test not coming until Big 12 play begins on March 14 against Oklahoma State. For now, the focus remains on fine-tuning the lineup and preparing for conference competition rather than chasing early rankings.
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Their four-game sweep of Queens, capped off by a dominant 17-3 win, helped sustain their hot start. However, there were plenty of teachable moments, as WVU had to rally from early deficits in each of the first three games. While the resilience is a positive sign, Sabins and his staff will want to see cleaner starts as the competition stiffens. There is an understanding that there will be growing pains as they manage a roster mixed with returning and transfer players.
“I think the reason we’ve been good up to this point, though, is because of depth,” said Sabins on the MetroNews podcast, “I think a lot of coaches say that, but the reality is that there were lots of jobs that were still being won into the spring. Essentially, we’ve had a consistent core of catcher, middle infield and center field. But then, if you look at our lineups over the course of the year, corner outfield and corner infield spots have essentially been interchangeable.”
Sabins anticipates having 12 to 14 highly competitive position players in the regular rotation once conference play begins. Among those expected to lead the lineup are infielder Brodie Kresser, outfielders Skylar King and Michael Perreza, catcher Logan Sauve, and Alex Marot.
Pitching Excellence
Meanwhile, the pitching staff has been outstanding, posting a stellar 2.49 ERA. Leading the charge is Griffin Kirn, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, further cementing WVU’s strength on the mound.
Make no mistake, the Big 12 is stacked with elite pitching, and the Mountaineers will need to lean on their deep, versatile staff to stay competitive. So far, Carson Estridge, Kirn, Gavin Van Kempen, and Bobby Porco have been the most utilized arms, while Reese Bassinger is emerging as a reliable closer, already securing three saves this season
WVU’s undefeated start to the baseball season is just the latest chapter in an exciting run for Mountaineer athletics. The women’s basketball team has been dominant at home, going undefeated at the WVU Coliseum and earning a national ranking. Meanwhile, the men’s basketball team is battling for a spot in the NCAA tournament. And in a move that has energized the football program, Rich Rodriguez has returned as head coach, ready to lead WVU into a new era. It’s a thrilling time in Morgantown, with Mountaineer sports delivering one headline after another.
