The West Virginia University baseball squad, sitting ninth in the national rankings, secured a 4-2 victory over Kansas State on Friday, earning a spot in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.
Every member of the Mountaineers’ lineup contributed at least one hit, a testament to the team’s depth, with graduate student Sean Smith leading the charge by going 3-for-5 at the plate.
Sophomore Gavin Kelly provided the early spark, launching his team‑leading 13th home run of the season in the first inning, a solo shot to center that put the Mountaineers ahead.
On the mound, redshirt junior Maxx Yehl delivered a solid 6.1 innings, surrendering just two runs while striking out seven, a performance that earned him the win and kept the Wildcats at bay until the sixth.
Sixth‑inning surge fuels the rally
The sixth inning proved pivotal as the Mountaineers erupted for three runs; Smith’s single, stolen base and subsequent sacrifice bunt set the stage for a clutch bunt single by Armani Guzman that brought home the first run.
Brock Wills followed with an RBI single, and a wild pitch later allowed another run to cross, extending the lead before Kansas State could answer.
Kansas State managed a lone home run in the seventh inning to cut the deficit, but the Mountaineers’ bullpen tightened, with Ian Korn striking out five batters over 2.2 scoreless innings to seal the game.
Korn’s final frame featured a leadoff single, but he responded with two strikeouts and a fly out, preserving the 4-2 margin and delivering his second save of the season.