The West Virginia Mountaineers made history on Tuesday night, securing their first-ever victory in the College World Series with a 7-5 win over the Troy Trojans.
A Game of Momentum Shifts
The Mountaineers struck first when Armani Guzman crossed the plate in the bottom of the first inning, setting the tone early in the contest.
Tyrus Hall then delivered a two‑RBI double later in that same inning, extending West Virginia’s lead to 3-1 and shifting the early momentum firmly in their favor.
Starting pitcher Chansen Cole was pulled after three innings, and reliever Ian Korn stepped in to shut down the Trojans’ rally, ultimately earning the win and improving to six victories on the season.
Key Plays That Defined the Contest
Sean Smith’s solo home run in the third tied the game at three, while Guzman’s two‑RBI double in the fourth put the Mountaineers ahead 5-4.
Jimmy Janicki answered with a solo homer in the seventh to knot the score at five, but Hall’s two‑RBI single in the eighth restored the lead at 7-5.
Ben McDougal closed out the game with a strikeout, recording his first save of the season, while Korn’s solid relief effort sealed the win.
Looking Ahead
West Virginia will now face the winner of the North Carolina versus Ole Miss matchup, a game scheduled for Sunday at 7:00 p.m. EST and broadcast live on ESPN.
The Mountaineers’ unexpected run has ignited excitement among fans and added a fresh storyline to the tournament’s narrative.