Heading into Sunday’s elimination game between West Virginia and Kentucky, both teams made a similar decision. That decision would work wonders for one side and end the season for the other.
Playing on day three of a double-elimination tournament, there is going to have to be players who step up. Both teams hoped their mostly unproven starting pitcher would be able to shut the other down.
For Kentucky, Austin Strickland did just that, and for West Virginia Grant Siegel did not as the Mountaineers’ lost 10-0, ending their season as they were eliminated from the Lexington Regional.
It seemed West Virginia was doomed from the start. In the top of the first inning, JJ Wetherholt and Logan Suave started the game by both lining out. Then in the bottom of the first after a dropped pop up, and then a dropped foul tip, Kentucky was able to plate two, and they never looked back.
Siegel would last nine batters, while recording only four outs. In the process he gave up three runs on three hits, while hitting two Kentucky batters.
On the other side, West Virginia struggled to figure out Strickland all afternoon and when they did, they couldn’t put timely hits together. In the third, the Mountaineers threatened with Tevin Tucker and Wetherholt putting together back-to-back hits.
With runners on the corners and one out, the Mountaineers were in prime position to climb out of a 3-0 deficit. They would fail to do so, with Logan Suave and Landon Wallace both striking out.
From then on, Strickland would put the game in cruise control. Strickland allowed just one more hit on the afternoon, compiling six scoreless innings, surrendering four hits, while walking one and striking out six.
The Mountaineers were frantically trying to find someone to put out the fire Siegel started, but no one in the bullpen could consistently put together outs.
Maxx Yehl was first through the door for West Virginia, and he was the best that WVU had. Yehl pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one hit, and struck out one.
Following suit was Carlson Reed. Reed — who had been WVU’s closer — was called upon in the third inning, trying to give WVU a lift. Reed would end the third but would run into trouble in the fourth. Reed walked a batter, before Nolan McCarthy homered to center field to score two more for the Wildcats and extend their lead to 5-0.
Reed finished his day in the sixth inning, after giving up three runs on two hits, and WVU seemed to be lifeless from then on.
Outside of Wetherholt, West Virginia’s offense was nowhere to be found. Wetherholt went 3-for-4 and putting his average as best in the nation. Wetherholt checked in with a pair of singles, a double, and a stolen base.
The Mountaineers only struck out 10 times but would put the ball in play and hit it right at Wildcat defenders. This was the first time West Virginia was shutout this season.
This loss ends what was a historic season for the gold and blue. West Virginia tied a program record with 40 wins, while also winning a share of their first Big 12 regular season title. This team also featured the Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Coach of the Year.
Kentucky moves on to face Indiana in the Regional Final, having to beat the Hoosiers twice to advance to the Super Regional round.
