The West Virginia Mountaineers clinched a spot in the NCAA Super Regionals on Sunday, rallying past the Kentucky Wildcats with a walk‑off single in the tenth inning. The decisive hit, delivered by Armani Guzman, sent the crowd into celebration and underscored a weekend of offensive fireworks for the Mountaineers.
A Walk‑Off for the Ages
Guzman’s impact stretched beyond the game‑winning RBI. Over the course of the weekend he amassed ten hits, including four doubles, while driving in six runs and stealing five bases. His blend of contact and speed proved pivotal in each Mountaineers victory.
Among the standouts, senior infielder Gavin Kelly earned the Morgantown Regional Most Valuable Player honor after compiling eight hits, three of which cleared the fence for home runs, and adding three doubles and nine RBI. His power surge helped anchor the lineup.
Ben Lumsden also turned heads with a .652 on‑base percentage and a .428 batting average, contributing a home run, a double and five RBI. His disciplined approach at the plate set the tone for the team’s offensive rhythm.
Dominant Pitching Performances
On the mound, Chansen Cole delivered a career‑high ten strikeouts in six innings during the regional opener against Binghamton, allowing just one run. He followed that effort with a shutout stretch in the finals against Kentucky, surrendering only a single hit over 1.2 innings.
Reliever Dawson Montesa added a memorable cameo, entering the game in the tenth inning with a runner on base after throwing 122 pitches the previous day. He closed out the final two outs, preserving the win and showcasing his resilience.
A Historic Homecoming
The Mountaineers will now host the Super Regionals for the first time in school history, a milestone that caps a three‑year streak of advancing to the later stages of the tournament. The upcoming matchup promises an electric atmosphere as West Virginia aims to translate its recent momentum into a deep run.