Sunday evening could be the reckoning hour for the West Virginia Mountaineers (44-15), as WVU is facing elimination following a 16-9 loss to the #6 LSU Tigers (47-15). The Mountaineers will have to rally together to try and prolong the series until Monday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Read More: WVU Facing Potential Elimination versus LSU on Sunday,
Setting the Scene
Despite putting up nine runs against a stellar LSU roster, the Mountaineers fell in blowout fashion. On Saturday, WVU allowed 16 runs, including two grand slams, while also providing the Tigers with 13 free bases. LSU can seal another trip to Omaha for its storied baseball program with a win on Sunday, but WVU will not go down without a fight.
The Mountaineers spent the first two months of the season as a red-hot, well-oiled machine, and that experience could benefit them on Sunday. West Virginia did not lose often early on, but when the team fell, the squad turned right around and won the next game.
Related: Mountaineers’ Pitching Struggles Against LSU
WVU did not lose back-to-back games in the 2025 campaign until late April into early May. Being able to recuperate and not dwell on a tough loss is a former strength of this Mountaineer squad, and it would save their season if that sentiment returned on Sunday.
LSU on a Tear
LSU continued its impressive tear on Saturday, with great performances across the board from an immensely deep roster. One of the Tigers’ two aces, Kade Anderson, picked up his 10th win of the year and improved to 10-1. 13 of the 16 runs for LSU came courtesy of three players, thanks heavily in part to a three-run homer from Derek Curiel, who finished Saturday’s contest with five RBI. Josh Pearson and Steven Milam slugged grand slams to break the game open and put it out of reach for the visiting Mountaineers. More performances like that would solidify the Tigers’ hopes for a return to Omaha.
Players to Watch
Not all takeaways were negative following Saturday’s loss for WVU, as the team combined for nine runs. Gavin Kelly and Kyle West both hit home runs and finished with two RBI apiece, but West has been a predictable workhorse all season long when it comes to batting. The player to watch tomorrow is Gavin Kelly, who was the newest breakout performer for the Mountaineers in the 2025 postseason run. Kelly went 3-4 on Saturday, while also collecting a walk via base on balls. Keep an eye on the Pittsburgh native to continue contributing on Sunday evening.
For LSU, Anthony Eyanson is the other half of the Tigers’ dynamic pitching duo. Eyanson is the projected starter for Sunday’s contest, coming into the game with a 10-2 record through 17 appearances in 2025. 15 of Eyanson’s 17 appearances were starts and the right-handed dealer has collected 135 strikeouts this season. The sophomore has only allowed four home runs and one triple in his impressive campaign. Anthony Eyanson could cause a lot of issues from the mound when he faces the Mountaineers.
Tune In
The West Virginia Mountaineers will face the LSU Tigers at 6 p.m. on Sunday, with WVU’s season on the line. If West Virginia prevails at Alex Box Stadium in game two, game three will take place on Monday at a time yet to be determined. Sunday’s Super Regional contest will be streamed on ESPN2. The radio stream can be found, as always, on 100.9 FM The Torch and its nine affiliate stations.
PREVIEW: WVU Facing Potential Elimination versus LSU on Sunday
