West Virginia baseball begins their Road to Omaha against Indiana in the first game of their regional on Friday.
Traxel getting the start
West Virginia head coach Randy Mazey is sending Blaine Traxel to the mound. Traxel has thrown five complete games, meaning if he’s on, he has the ability to help save Mazey having to use his bullpen on day one. Traxel has a 3.79 ERA, and has not pitched since May 19. Traxel had his worst outing of the year last time out, giving up eight runs on nine hits, in five innings against Texas. Prior to that though, Traxel had pitched a combined 24.0 innings, allowing seven runs in his three previous starts. West Virginia hopes he returns to that form and gives them a chance to win on Friday.
WVU will go as far as JJ takes them
It is no secret West Virginia has been headlined by second baseman JJ Wetherholt. A Golden Spikes Award Finalist, the Big 12 Player of the Year, and First Team All-American, Wetherholt has the ability to change the game and make teams fear him in more ways than one. Wetherholt can hit for power, for average, can steal bases, and has the ability to elevate this lineup. During the first four games of WVU’s five-game losing streak, Wetherholt was a combined 2-for-17 in those games. In WVU’s final game of the Big 12 Tournament, Wetherholt was on base five times, in all five of his plate appearances.
“JJ had a good game, got a couple hits today and was on base all day long and that’s a really good sign for us. The same way it’s a good sign when LeBron scores a lot of points for the Lakers, when JJ’s on base, that gives us a real chance to win,” Mazey said after the game. “Because when he gets on base, his offense is contagious with the rest of the team. When he hits, most of us have really good at-bats. Good to get him back on track.”
Indiana going with their ace
Indiana is countering West Virginia throwing Traxel, by throwing their ace Luke Sinnard. Sinnard 6-3 on the year, with a 4.16 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 84.1 innings. Sinnard was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team. Sinnard has pitched in 15 games this year for the Hoosiers, and Indiana is 11-4 in those games.
TV: ESPN+
First Pitch: 7:00 p.m.
