Despite recent struggles, the West Virginia Mountaineers earned the regular-season baseball title in the Big 12 Conference over the weekend for the first time in program history. With the tournament starting on Wednesday, let’s take a look at how the Mountaineers have fared in the conference tournament. Read more how WVU baseball fares in Big 12 tournament action: A brief history below
Consistent Appearances
Since joining the Big 12 Conference in the summer of 2012, WVU has made the cut to be invited to the dance every single season since 2013. The lone exception to this streak was in 2020, when the tournament was cancelled entirely due to COVID-19.
In the Mountaineers’ 11 appearances in the Big 12 tournament, the team never claimed the top seed. That changed this season, as WVU will be the top dog with an undisputed regular-season championship under its belt. Until this season, the Mountaineers have been seeded as high as #3 (2013, 2023) and as low as #8 (2021).
Two Finals Berths
In 11 appearances, WVU made it to the final round twice (2016, 2019). In 2016, the fourth-seeded Mountaineers fell to the TCU Horned Frogs in an 11-10 nailbiter. WVU held the same seed in 2019, losing to the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the championship bout. To add, West Virginia appeared in the semifinal round in 2017 and 2018. The four-year run between 2016 and 2019 was the most consistent stretch of tournament success for the Mountaineers in their Big 12 tenure.
Recent Struggles
Despite regular season success in 2022, 2023, and 2024, WVU has been a first-round exit each of the past three years. The Big 12 moved its tournament to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in 2022, and the Mountaineers have left the home of the MLB’s Texas Rangers empty-handed every time.
WVU is 0-6 all-time at the young ballpark, losing both first-round games each of the past three seasons. In 2021, the Mountaineers made it out of the initial round before being eliminated in the second round.
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The last time West Virginia made it out of the first two rounds was in 2019 when the team rolled to the finals before losing to Oklahoma State. In the six contests at Globe Life Field, the Mountaineers have been outscored 36-19 and only averaged 3.1 runs per game. Blame it on what one might, but it is clear that WVU baseball and Globe Life Field do not mix well.
Sabins’ Debut
Players have come and gone every year, but the one constant the Mountaineers had in every single Big 12 tournament appearance was the presence of former head coach Randy Mazey. The Clemson University alumnus took the helm of the WVU baseball program in 2013 and held the position until the end of the 2024 season.
In 2025, for the first time since joining the Big 12 Conference, the Mountaineers will battle in the postseason tournament with someone other than Mazey serving as the skipper.
Steve Sabins served on Mazey’s staff for nine years, with four years as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. In short, Coach Sabins is not exactly a stranger to this tournament, but this is the first time he will lead the charge into Arlington, Texas, under his regime. Sabins will immediately have more pressure on him than his predecessor, with the team holding the top seed in the Big 12 for the first time in program history.
What Does This History Point To?
Despite a record-breaking regular season and the #1 seed, the Mountaineers are on a monumental skid. If the late-season meltdown this season is any indication of how the postseason might unfold, it might be a fourth straight immediate exit.
To note, this is also the first year of the single elimination format. Luckily for the top-seeded Mountaineers, that means the squad will only have to win three games. The downside is that there is absolutely no room for error, unlike when the tournament utilized the double-elimination format.
This is also the first season with an expanded 12-team field, which could potentially pose new threats to the team. WVU will start its quest for its first-ever Big 12 tournament title when the Mountaineers face the winner of the Cincinnati-Texas Tech matchup. West Virginia will take to the baseball diamond at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday to try and end its losing streak. For more tournament coverage, stay up to date right here at WV Sports Nation.
How WVU Baseball Fares in Big 12 Tournament Action: A Brief History
