Guzman’s Late Season Heroics: Power, Precision, and Defensive Prowess

West Virginia sophomore utility player Armani Guzman has been overlooked throughout much of the 2025 season. However, Guzman has demonstrated significant improvement late in the season while maintaining a high level of defensive reliability. Read more: Guzman’s late season heroics: power, precision, and defensive prowess.

Guzman Improves At The Plate

Early in the season, Guzman struggled at the plate as his batting average dropped to .278 by mid March. Guzman’s offensive stats tell a story of persistence and progress. Over 98 at-bats, he has scored 26 runs, recorded 33 hits, drove in 22 RBIs, and hit 5 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 home runs.

His .337 batting average, .387 on-base percentage, and .469 slugging percentage reflect a potent bat. However, his season began with inconsistency.

Early games saw limited at-bats, with several 0 AB appearances and a batting average dipping to .278 by March 11th. Standout moments, like a 2-for-4 game against Ohio on February 26th (.353 BA) and a 2-for-5 performance against Queens on March 1st (.320 BA), hinted at his potential.

Related: Unlikely heroes: Mountaineers who stepped up when it mattered most 

The mid-season marked a turning point for Guzman as his plate appearances increased. Guzman delivered multi-hit games, including a 3-for-4 outing with 3 RBIs against BYU on March 28th (.304 BA) and a 2-for-5 game with 4 RBIs the next day (.311 BA). His power surged, with doubles and a home run showcasing improved timing.

By the late season, Guzman was a force, hitting 8-for-12 (.667 BA) in his final three games, capped by a 4-for-5 performance with 3 RBIs against Kentucky on June 1st. 

Defensive Improvements

Guzman’s defensive contributions were equally impressive. Handling 69 chances with 59 putouts, 8 assists, and only 2 errors, he achieved a .971 fielding percentage. Early in the season, he was flawless, managing 22 error-free chances in games like February 14th at Jacksonville (5 chances) and February 26th against Ohio (7 chances).

Related: West Virginia Baseball Will Travel to LSU for Super Regionals

His mid-season consistency continued, with a double play against Ohio State on April 1st, highlighting his versatility. Despite two late-season errors—on May 6th against Pittsburgh and June 1. Guzman’s defensive reliability remained a cornerstone, with key performances including 4 error-free chances against Clemson on May 31st.

Guzman’s Monumental Performance At Clemson Regional

Guzman began the regional by appearing in the starting lineup for the first time since May 4th. He would be the hero in the first game of the regional as he would go 2-3 with a walk-off sacrifice RBI to center, giving the Mountaineers a 4-3 victory over Kentucky.

Related: A Pitcher’s Duel: How WVU Stacks Up to LSU

Guzman would continue to make his presence known in game 2 against Clemson as he drove in the game-tying run in the eighth inning, Guzman would finish the night with two RBIs.

Guzman would cap off his outstanding regional performance in game three against Kentucky. He would produce a 4-5 performance at the plate with three RBIs, including the game winning RBI i the eight inning.  Guzman was named the regional’s most outstanding player to add to the long list of his impressive achievements over the weekend.