West Virginia showcased resilience in their second game against Arizona State, bouncing back from a disappointing loss in the series opener. The No. 17 Mountaineers triumphed over the No. 22 Sun Devils with a score of 13-7 on Saturday night, setting the stage for a crucial rubber match scheduled on ESPN2.
After suffering a 14-4 defeat in the first game, West Virginia improved to an 18-5 record this season and stands at 6-2 in the Big 12 Conference. Meanwhile, Arizona State holds a 20-7 record and a 5-3 conference mark.
The Mountaineers wasted no time establishing momentum, as both teams exchanged runs in the first inning. However, it was the second inning where West Virginia”s offense truly exploded. With Brodie Kresser and Matthew Graveline on base, Tyrus Hall hit a triple, bringing the score to 3-1. Hall later scored on a wild pitch, followed by a two-run single from Sean Smith. Brock Wills then added another run with a single, leaving the Mountaineers ahead 7-1 after just two innings.
West Virginia”s offense was highlighted by strong performances from Smith, Armani Guzman, and Kelly, each contributing three hits. Hall recorded two RBIs, while Smith and Kelly also drove in three runs each. The team had a remarkable total of 16 hits, a welcome turnaround after a lackluster performance the previous night.
Taking the mound for this crucial game was West Virginia”s ace, Maxx Yehl, who typically pitches the series finale. Although Yehl faced challenges early, allowing a run to Landon Hairston, the leading hitter in the Big 12, he settled down after the first inning. However, Hairston would connect again in the fifth inning, hitting a two-run homer that brought the Sun Devils within striking distance at 8-3.
Despite not being at his best, Yehl completed seven innings, striking out four while allowing three earned runs on five hits, which still marked a productive outing. Hairston finished the game 2-for-5, hitting his 14th home run of the season, while Dean Toigo contributed a double and an RBI for Arizona State.
In the later innings, West Virginia extended their lead with additional runs in the eighth and ninth. Kelly added a two-run homer that traveled 364 feet, and Smith continued his impressive night with another single. The Mountaineers ultimately tallied 13 runs, with Kelly and Ineich also driving in runs in the ninth.
After Yehl”s solid performance, Reese Bassinger took over for the eighth inning, allowing a double but quickly regaining control. He ended his outing with one earned run, one strikeout, and two hits. J.D. Costanzo, serving as the closer, faced some drama when Matt Polk homered off him in the ninth, narrowing the gap to 13-7, but Costanzo secured the win with two strikeouts.
The Sun Devils utilized a variety of pitchers throughout the game, turning to the bullpen four times before ultimately falling short. With the decisive third game looming, it will be intriguing to see how Arizona State approaches this critical matchup. For West Virginia, Chansen Cole will be on the mound, seeking redemption after a rough outing against Baylor where he allowed six runs in just three innings. The Mountaineers will need Cole to deliver a strong performance to clinch the series victory and maintain their status atop the Big 12.
