WVU Takes on K-State to Cap Regular Season

Thursday, May 19

Morgantown, W.Va.

6:30 p.m.

West Virginia University

Kansas State

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May 18, 2022 04:50 PM | Baseball

Game Notes Live Stats, Audio & Video Links Tickets Digital Mountaineer Illustrated

By: Joe Mitchin

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team concludes the 2022 regular season with a three-game, Big 12 Conference series against Kansas State from May 19-21, presented by Custard Stand Chili, at Wagener Field at Monongalia County Ballpark.

First pitch of Thursday night's series opener is set for 6:30 p.m. ET, while Friday's game also is slated for 6:30 p.m. Saturday's regular-season finale is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Select tickets for all three games are still available at WVUGAME.com, by calling 1-800-WVU GAME, at the Mountaineer Ticket Office inside the WVU Coliseum or on game day at the ballpark's box office. Notably, reserved seats remain for Friday's game only.

Thursday is Dollar Night, with all tickets and select concessions available for just $1. On Friday, the first 300 fans in attendance will receive a blue, WVU mini-helmet. Additionally, fans can enter to win one of three WVU baseball hats signed by former Mountaineer All-American pitcher Alek Manoah at the marketing table, located by guest services. Saturday is Senior Day, and fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 11:40 a.m., for the pregame ceremony. It's also Family Day, featuring four tickets and a $10 concession voucher for just $25, and National Armed Forces Day, with former or active-duty military able to purchase tickets for just $3 with valid IDs at the WVU Ticket Office or the ballpark on game day.

Live stats of each game can be found on WVUsports.com. All three games will air live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Mountaineer Sports Network on 100.9 WZST-FM, as well as various affiliates throughout the state, the WVU Gameday app, the free Varsity Network app and WVUsports.com.

Junior right-handed pitcher Jacob Watters (2-6, 5.85 ERA) gets the start for West Virginia on Thursday night, while sophomore left-hander Ben Hampton (7-4, 4.65 ERA) goes on Friday. K-State, meanwhile, counters with right-hander German Fajardo (4-1, 3.11 ERA) in the opener and right-hander Blake Adams (5-5, 4.54 ERA) in the middle game. Saturday's matchup is to be announced.

WVU (30-20, 11-10 Big 12) holds a 13-11 advantage over K-State in the all-time series. Last year, the Wildcats won the series, 2-1, in Manhattan. Of note, this weekend marks the Wildcats' first trip to Morgantown since April 20-22, 2018.

Last time out, the Mountaineers dropped a series at then-No. 21 Oklahoma, from May 13-15, in Norman. WVU fell in the opener, 15-1, bounced back for a 9-8 win in the middle game and lost, 17-7, in seven innings in the series finale.

At 11-10 in Big 12 play, West Virginia enters the weekend tied for fifth place in the league standings. The squad has already clinched a spot in next week's Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship in Arlington, Texas.

Led by coach Randy Mazey, the Mountaineers are the only team in the Big 12 who haven't endured a three-game losing streak this season. What's more, WVU has won 30 or more games in five of Mazey's 10 seasons in Morgantown.

The Mountaineers enter the weekend ranked No. 2 nationally in stolen bases, with 144, which is good for the most in single-season program history. Individually, junior outfielder Victor Scott II's 37 stolen bases sit at No. 6 in the nation and are the most by one player in WVU's single-season history.

At the plate, sophomore catcher McGwire Holbrook leads West Virginia with a .333 average. He has hit safely in 22 of his last 25 games entering the series.

On the mound, Hampton's seven victories are tied for No. 3 in the Big 12. Fifth-year senior right-hander Trey Braithwaite's seven saves also are good for No. 3 in the league.

Fourth-year coach Pete Hughes has led Kansas State to a mark of 27-24 this season, including 8-13 in Big 12 action. Like West Virginia, the Wildcats have already clinched a spot in next week's conference tournament.

Last time out, KSU dropped an 8-2 decision at No. 3 Virginia Tech on Tuesday. In league play, the Wildcats have won each of their last two weekend series (Kansas, Baylor).

Dominic Johnson leads the club with a .342 average, while Dylan Phillips has 13 home runs and Nick Goodwin has recorded 45 RBI this season. On the mound, Adams is No. 1 on the staff in innings pitched (73.1) and strikeouts (74), but Fajardo has come on strong lately. He was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week and Co-Newcomer of the Week on May 9.

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.