West Virginia Mountaineers delivered a commanding 12‑0 victory over the Troy Trojans in the latest College World Series showdown, a result that not only underscores the Mountaineers’ offensive firepower but also sets the stage for a much‑anticipated rematch with the University of North Carolina.
Opening Surge
The game opened with a swift rally in the third inning, when Gavin Kelly’s single advanced to second on a ground ball, paving the way for Matthew Graveline’s two‑out RBI double that put the Mountaineers ahead 2‑0. A wild pitch by Troy’s starter subsequently added a run, extending the lead to 3‑0 before the inning concluded.
West Virginia’s bats heated up again in the sixth, when Gavin Kelly launched a three‑run homer that widened the gap, while Paul Schoenfeld’s single and stolen base set up Sean Smith’s RBI single later in the frame. The offensive onslaught continued as the Mountaineers added a run in the seventh with Ben Lumsden’s RBI single.
Pitching Dominance
On the mound, Dawson Montesa turned in a stellar performance, tossing five scoreless innings with six strikeouts across 5.1 frames. Reliever Ben McDougal entered to preserve the shutout, escaping a bases‑loaded jam and keeping Troy at zero.
Late‑Game Fireworks
The later innings saw a flurry of activity: Reese Bassinger struck out two batters and recorded a pop fly to close the eighth, while Armani Guzman’s two‑RBI double down the right‑field line capped a five‑run stretch. In the ninth, Graveline and Matt Ineich each singled, Brodie Kresser’s sacrifice fly added a run, and Zahir Barjam’s pinch‑hit single capped the scoring.
Looking Ahead
With the win secured, West Virginia will now face North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST and the contest slated for broadcast on ESPN. The upcoming clash promises another high‑stakes encounter as the Mountaineers look to extend their momentum.