Mountaineers Triumph Over Cougars in Commanding Series Opener
HOUSTON – The **West Virginia University Mountaineers** showcased their prowess on the baseball diamond, securing a resounding **9-2 victory** against the Houston Cougars on Friday night at Schroeder Park. This pivotal win boosts the Mountaineers to an impressive **28-4 overall** and solidifies their top position in the Big 12 with an **8-3 conference record**, while the Cougars slip to **19-15**, now sitting at **5-8 in conference play**.
Standout Performers Light Up the Scoreboard
In a game filled with stellar performances, **juniors Skylar King** and **Logan Sauve** stole the spotlight, both reaching base **four times** through a combination of **three hits** and **a walk** each. Meanwhile, **redshirt junior Chase Swain** made his mark by driving in **three runs** on two hits, complemented by a notable two-RBI game from **senior Kyle West**.
**On the mound**, redshirt senior **Griffin Kirn** turned in a commendable performance, surrendering just **two runs** and striking out **five batters** over **6.0 innings** of work. The game was capped off by senior **Reese Bassinger**, who pitched **3.0 scoreless innings**, claiming his **fifth save** of the season.
Key Moments That Shaped the Game
Swain set the tone for the Mountaineers, putting them on the scoreboard first with a **run-scoring single** in the second inning. He struck again in the fourth, delivering an **RBI triple** that electrified the crowd. An error by the Cougars allowed another run to cross for West Virginia, before West himself drew a **bases-loaded walk** followed by a crucial **RBI single from Jace Rinehart**, pushing the lead to a commanding **5-0**.
The Cougars managed to register a run in the fourth, but Swain quickly restored the momentum with a **sacrifice fly** in the fifth, yielding his third **RBI of the night**. The two squads exchanged runs later on, with West contributing another RBI single, further emphasizing the Mountaineers’ dominance.
In the eighth inning, the Mountaineers added to their cushion with two additional runs driven in by a **misplay from Houston** and a solid hit from freshman **Gavin Kelly**.
What Lies Ahead
With their sights set on maintaining momentum, the Mountaineers will square off against the Cougars once more this Saturday. Fans can look forward to another thrilling confrontation with the first pitch scheduled for **7:30 p.m. ET**.
For the latest updates on the Mountaineers, be sure to follow **@WVUBaseball** on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/WVUBaseball), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/WVUBaseball/), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/wvubaseball/).
Get ready, baseball enthusiasts—this is just the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating series!
