The time is now for West Virginia baseball, as they are set to begin their 2024 season which will be one with many storylines.
For the Mountaineers, 2024 has the opportunity to be really unique. You’re returning one of the best players in the country in JJ Wetherholt, but also you are sending off your head coach who helped put WVU Baseball on the map. Add in they’re trying to make back-to-back regional appearances for the first time since the 1960’s, and there is a lot to follow with this team.
It’s safe to say it starts and ends with Wetherholt. A First Team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year last season, Wetherholt will be the pulse of this ball club.
Wetherholt is one of 17 players that return from last season’s team who won the Big 12 regular season title as well as made the Lexington Regional. In the lineup, notable names such as Grant Hussey, Logan Sauve, as well as Ellis Garcia, and Sam White. On the mound, WVU returns Aidan Major as well as David Hagaman, but the portal will be vital to the Mountaineers’ success on the bump.
At least two transfers will get starts this opening weekend with Tyler Switalski getting the game two nod, and Hayden Cooper getting the game three nod. Major will start on Friday night.
Besides the players on the field, it will be the head coach in the dugout which will also have a lot of attention on him this season. It will be the 12th season at WVU for head coach Randy Mazey, and it will also be his last. Mazey will turn the reigns over to Steve Sabins following the conclusion of the 2024 season.
WVU tied the program mark with 40 wins a season ago, but lost two weekend starters, their entire outfield, and multiple other contributors on offense and in the bullpen.
Now, they will look to send Mazey off in the right way, which starts on Friday night.
First pitch for WVU vs Stetson is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.
More about Mazey’s final season
More about Wetherholt managing expectations
More on young Mountaineer pitchers
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