MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Three games. One win. Champions. After a turbulent season marked by weather disruptions, scheduling challenges, questionable pitching decisions, and ninth-inning collapses, the West Virginia Mountaineer baseball team stands on the precipice of glory. They are one victory away from claiming the Big 12 conference title. Read more one And win: Mountaineers on cusp of Big 12 Crown below.
The Mountaineers (40-10, 19-6) host the red-hot Kansas Jayhawks (39-14, 17-10) in a pivotal three-game series at home. WVU maintains a two-game lead over Arizona State (18-9), with a straightforward path to victory. One WVU win or one ASU loss secures the trophy. The Sun Devils’ only hope relies on the improbable: sweeping Oklahoma State on the road while Kansas completes a sweep in Morgantown.
Strategic Pitching Reshuffle
With his bullpen showing signs of fatigue, head coach Steve Sabins is making a critical adjustment to his rotation. Jack Kartsonas, typically the game three starter, will move up to game two. Meanwhile, standout Chase Meyer shifts to the bullpen as the closer. This is a tactical move designed to protect late-inning leads.
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The first-year coach revealed that Meyer embraced the reassignment, prioritizing team success in their championship pursuit. If game one starter Griffin Kirn performs well tonight, the strategic shuffle might prove unnecessary.
Power-Hitting Jayhawks
Kansas brings an explosive offense to Morgantown, leading the Big 12 with 93 home runs and boasting an impressive .929 team OPS. The Jayhawks’ offensive firepower has produced 448 runs in 53 games, averaging 8.35 runs per contest with a collective .293 batting average.
Last year’s matchup remains a sore spot for Kansas after suffering a humiliating sweep at home. Now they arrive in Morgantown with redemption on their minds.
The Mountaineers need just one victory, but they’ll need their bats to keep pace with Kansas’ sluggers. Sabins’ decision to reinstate Meyer in the bullpen addresses growing concerns about relievers Reese Bassinger and Carson Estridge, who have shown signs of arm fatigue after heavy workloads this season.
The championship equation is clear: starting pitchers must work deep into games, Meyer must deliver in critical moments, and the offense needs to produce. A win tonight transforms the remaining games into seeding opportunities—an enviable position before heading to Arlington for the Big 12 tournament.
Tune In
The final series of the regular season for the Mountaineers and Jayhawks gets underway starting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Kendrick Family Ballpark in Morgantown. Game two is set for the same time on Friday evening, and senior day is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday, where several seniors will be recognized by WVU.
If you want to read more about the Mountaineers’ seniors, you can read the “Senior Spotlight” article here. As for streaming, ESPN+ will have all three games available at the time of first pitch. For the radio broadcast, as always, tune in to 100.9 FM The Torch or one of its nine affiliate stations.
One And Win: Mountaineers on Cusp of Big 12 Crown
