The West Virginia University baseball team, seeded ninth in the Big 12, posted a 7‑3 win over 21st‑ranked Arizona State on Tuesday night in Surprise, Arizona, moving into the conference championship final.
That victory sets up a Saturday showdown with the Kansas Jayhawks, the tournament’s top seed and regular‑season champions, who will be looking to defend their title.
Key Performances
Graduate student Sean Smith led the offense with three hits and two runs, while fellow graduate Brodie Kresser added two hits and two RBI. Sophomore left‑hander Chansen Cole delivered five innings of work, allowing just two runs and striking out six batters.
A Historic Opportunity
With a 39‑13 record, the Mountaineers are one win away from their first Big 12 tournament championship since the 1996 title. The program last captured a conference tournament crown in the Big East Tournament that year, making this run a milestone for the school.
Relief efforts were anchored by graduate Reese Bassinger, who earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings, and junior Dawson Montesa, who recorded his first save with 1.2 perfect innings. The team’s depth and execution have been on display throughout the tournament.