MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Even with seven weeks and 32 games left in the regular season, the West Virginia baseball team could be facing a do-or-die series this weekend when it hosts Big 12 leader Oklahoma State.
First, the Mountaineers (12-10, 2-3) are spiraling a bit, having tumbled to 79 in the RPI after a two-game midweek sweep at home against lowly Canisius. Wednesday’s 9-0 loss saw West Virginia pitchers issue 11 walks.
Second, the Cowboys (18-7, 3-0) are the only remaining WVU opponent currently in the RPI top 20, meaning this three-game series may hold the best chance for West Virginia to collect resume-building wins as it aims to snap a 20-year NCAA tournament drought.
“They’re so good,” said West Virginia coach Randy Mazey. “If you don’t play good you’re not going to beat this team. If you don’t throw strikes and if you give them free bases, you’re not going to beat this team.
“We have a way of really getting fired up against good teams. If we play the way we have at times, we like our chances a lot.”
Friday, 6:30 p.m. — Chad Donato (1-2, 2.87) vs. Thomas Hatch (2-1, 1.70)
Saturday, 4 p.m. — Ross Vance (3-1, 3.86) vs. Trey Cobb (3-3, 2.15)
Sunday, 1 p.m. — B.J. Myers (2-2, 2.67) vs. Jensen Elliott (2-1, 2.05)
Oklahoma State, which is ranked 16th by Baseball America and arrives on a five-game winning streak, leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally with a 2.24 team ERA. Since suffering three consecutive one-run losses at North Carolina in late February, the Cowboys have won 16 of 18.
While OSU’s .247 batting average ranks last in the conference, they compensate by leading in homers (20) and steals (37).
“They’ve gotten used to winning down there,” said Mazey. “They’ve been in the postseason for a lot of years. When that happens they think they can win all the time. That’s the level we’re trying got get to.”
West Virginia right-hander Chad Donato enters Friday night’s start tied for the Big 12 lead with 42 strikeouts and first baseman Jackson Cramer has reached base in 42 consecutive games.