Mountaineers Set to Clash with Cougars in Houston Showdown
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – This weekend promises to deliver exhilarating baseball action as the West Virginia University Mountaineers head to Houston for a highly anticipated series from April 11-13. It’s the second consecutive weekend the Mountaineers will face a new opponent, and the air is thick with excitement as they prepare to take on the Houston Cougars at Schroeder Park.
Game Schedule for the Weekend Series
Mark your calendars! Here’s the breakdown of the matchups:
- Friday, April 11: First pitch at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Saturday, April 12: Another showdown at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Sunday, April 13: The action wraps up with a matinee at 12:30 p.m. ET
Mountaineer fans can catch all the excitement live on ESPN+, while the Mountaineer Sports Network will provide radio coverage. For those wanting real-time updates, live stats will be available at WVUsports.com.
A Strong Season for the Mountaineers
With a remarkable record of 27-4 overall and 7-3 in Big 12 play, the Mountaineers are riding high after a recent sweep of Utah. Their resilience has earned them notable rankings: No. 11 in Perfect Game, No. 20 in NCBWA, and No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Key Players to Watch
Skylar King is stepping up as the team’s star, boasting a stellar .365 batting average. Meanwhile, senior standout Jace Rinehart is setting the bases ablaze with a robust 1.099 OPS, featuring six home runs and 33 RBIs.
On the mound, the Mountaineers’ pitching staff showcases formidable talent. Griffin Kirn, a redshirt senior, brings an impressive 3-0 record with a 3.86 ERA and leads the team with 50 strikeouts. Freshman sensation Benjamin Hudson is also making a splash with a standout 1.04 ERA, proving that the future is bright for WVU’s pitching lineup.
Pitching Probables for the Weekend
Friday:
LHP Griffin Kirn (3-0, 3.86 ERA, 50 K) vs. RHP Paul Schmitz (3-2, 4.28 ERA, 27 K)Saturday:
RHP Gavin Van Kempen (2-0, 4.91 ERA, 28 K) vs. RHP Richie Roman (0-4, 4.97 ERA, 38 K)- Sunday:
RHP Jack Kartsonas (2-1, 3.12 ERA, 27 K) vs. TBA
Houston Cougars: An Overview
The Houston Cougars, currently 19-14 this season and 5-7 in Big 12 competition, are looking to assert themselves after clinching two of three against Baylor and splitting midweek games with Rice and McNeese.
Leading the charge for Houston is Xavier Perez, who holds a .345 batting average coupled with seven home runs and 33 RBIs. Pitching ace Antoine Jean boasts a 3-1 record, three saves, and an impressive 66 strikeouts in just 37.1 innings pitched.
Follow the Action
Stay connected with all things Mountaineers! Follow @WVUBaseball on Twitter, join the conversation on Facebook, and keep up with riveting game highlights and behind-the-scenes content on Instagram.
As the Mountaineers prepare for this thrilling Houston matchup, fans can expect nothing short of an intense, edge-of-your-seat baseball experience. Let’s cheer for our Mountaineers as they battle the Cougars and aim to continue their impressive season!
