For the second night in a row, things just seemed to come out flat for West Virginia baseball and despite clinching a share of the Big 12 title with an Oklahoma State loss, West Virginia was outclassed for the second night in a row.
The Mountaineers had everything to play for as far as the Big 12 regular season title, but the Texas offense was once again the story. After starting a true freshman last night, West Virginia head coach Randy Mazey turned to a trusted senior in Blaine Traxel. Similar to the freshman though, Traxel was in trouble early and often as the Longhorn offense scored seven runs in the first two innings, ultimately winning 10-4.
For just an instant in the first inning things seemed normal for West Virginia. JJ Wetherholt did what he’s done all season — hit — as he roped a single to right field in the top of the first. Wetherholt would round the base too far, and would be thrown out by Dylan Campbell in right field. That would be the last you would hear of Wetherholt, and Campbell would just be getting started.
Traxel is not a hard thrower to begin with. He nibbles, changes arm slots, and toys with hitters to find success. However, none of it would be working as he would have his worst start of the season at the worst time for West Virginia.
With the chance to clinch a share of the Big 12 regular season title with a win, Traxel found himself in hot water early. The right-hander gave up three hits to start the game with the third being a double from Campbell, to plate the first run of the game for the Longhorns. Garrett Guillemette would fly out to center field, but WVU center fielder Braden Barry would hesitate throwing the ball in. This would allow Peyton Powell to score after he was not originally going to tag from third to home.
Trailing 2-1, Traxel tried to get out of the inning without limiting any further damage. He would allow a two-out, two-strike home run to Eric Kennedy, seemingly putting West Virginia out of the game after the first as they trailed 4-1.
The second inning would not be much nicer to Traxel. Jared Thomas hit a two-run homer, before Campbell again chimed in with a home run of his own to center field, as the Longhorns opened up a 7-1 lead.
Traxel would pitch five innings, giving up eight runs on nine hits, including three home runs on 109 total pitches.
Texas starter Lebarron Johnson would be able to control the Mountaineer offense for the most part and was able to make timely pitches.
The Mountaineers got one run on the board in the first as Landon Wallace homered, and West Virginia threatened again in the third. Trailing by six, West Virginia needed an answer. The loaded the bases with one out with the middle of the order coming up. A golden chance would go to waste though, with Wetherholt and Wallace striking out. Barry salvaged the inning with an infield single to score one, before Dayne Leonard flew out to end the threat, holding Texas’ lead at 7-2.
The strikeouts would continue to tally up for West Virginia as they put two runners on in the fourth, but Johnson punched out Logan Suave and Tevin Tucker to end the inning. Johnson finished the evening pitching 5.1 innings, striking out 11, allowing two runs on five hits and walking two Mountaineer hitters.
West Virginia’s offense finished with a total of nine hits, and left eight runners on base.
The top of Texas’ lineup mashed on Friday. Thomas-Powell-Campbell went a combined 6-for-12, with three home runs, and five RBI. They also scored seven of Texas’ 10 runs.
West Virginia found success in the ninth inning for the second game in a row. Sam White drove in a pair of runs on a single after back-to-back hits from Grant Hussey and Caleb McNeely.
Bigger Picture
Oklahoma State lost 5-0 to Oklahoma on Friday, meaning West Virginia clinched at least a share of the Big 12 title. This also means a Mountaineer win on Saturday clinches an outright title for the Mountaineers. West Virginia also will need a win to stay on the right side of the top-eight seed line heading into the Big 12 Tournament. This is the first conference title since 1996 for the Mountaineers and their first Big 12 regular season title.
Game Three
Game three will be at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be aired on Longhorn Network.
