West Virginia opens the Big 12 Tournament tonight with their first round game against Texas Tech. It was just 10 days ago the Mountaineers and Red Raiders faced off in Morgantown with West Virginia taking two of three from the Red Raiders.
Three Seeds Thrive
West Virginia is the three-seed in this week’s tournament and historically, that positioning has done well in the Big 12 Tournament. Since 2016 there have been six Big 12 Tournaments held and in three of them, the team slotted third has won the entire thing. This includes last year when Oklahoma went all the way to the College World Series Final after being a three-seed in Arlington. Oklahoma went 4-0 as the three-seed last year, including a first round victory over the Mountaineers.
West Virginia has had success in this tournament
Besides last year’s 0-2 showing had the Mountaineers packing their bags to go home early, West Virginia has done particularly well in the Big 12 Tournament. The Mountaineers have made it to the championship game twice and reached the semifinals three other times. A similar showing in this year’s tournament would significantly boost WVU’s chances at hosting a regional.
Switching It Up
West Virginia is hoping to align their pitching staff for the remainder of the tournament and are giving the ball to redshirt-freshman David Hagaman on Wednesday night in game one. Hagaman has a 2.30 ERA in 31.1 innings pitched this season. Hagaman has not started a game this season, but look for head coach Randy Mazey to use him in an opener role as he has gone at least three innings in each of his last two outings. Hagaman has also not given up a run in his last six appearances.
Texas Tech is going with their Friday night guy in Mason Molina. Molina threw against West Virginia on May 18, allowing two runs on three hits in 4.2 innings. He also struck out six and walked four in Tech’s 5-2 win over the Mountaineers.
First Pitch: 8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
