GRANVILLE, W.Va. — West Virginia is hopeful it’s ready to embark on its next challenge ahead of the start of NCAA Super Regional play that will take place this weekend.
The Mountaineers met the media Thursday after a practice session inside Kendrick Family Ballpark, less than 24 hours before the best-of-three Super Regional series against Cal Poly begins at noon Friday.
Following a thrilling Morgantown Regional in which WVU (43-15) defeated Wake Forest and then Kentucky twice to advance, the Mountaineers expressed excitement over the opportunity to advance to the College World Series in Omaha.
“I think guys are in a good position,” head coach Steve Sabins said. “They got some rest from recovery today, they’ll check into the hotel. It was just trying to be really good with our process this week so we can be prepared to play tomorrow.”
Sabins announced Thursday right-hander Chansen Cole will once again take the mound to start for the Mountaineers to start Super Regional play.
Cole pitched six innings against Binghamton in the opener of the Morgantown Regional. He struck out 10 batters, while giving up four hits and one earned run.
Sabins expressed that a lot of consideration went into giving the sophomore starter the nod, despite also pitching in the deciding win against Kentucky late Monday.
“Chansen Cole is going to start Game 1 for us, and then after that, it will be TBD,” said Sabins. “I think the situation, win, lose, draw, how many innings, and who you need to use in order to win the game is important (to how we will proceed).”
Shortstop Matthew Ineich affirmed the patient mindset the Mountaineers have taken ahead of the start of the NCAA Super Regional.
“You have to take it one pitch at a time and keep your mind in the right spot in order to compete,” said Ineich. “You know, even if the crowd is screaming at the top of their lungs and there’s 4,500 of them, or if there’s, you know, 100 people in the crowd and it’s dead silent, it’s the same mentality.”
In Cal Poly (39-22), West Virginia opposes the Big West Conference champion appearing in a Super Regional for the first time.
The Mustangs were a No. 3 seed in the UCLA Regional, and won it by going 3-0 with one win over Virginia Tech and two against Saint Mary’s. Over three games, Cal Poly outscored its opposition, 25-5.
Ryan Tayman leads the Mustangs with a .362 average, 18 home runs and 56 RBI, while closer Nick Bonn has 17 saves over 27 appearances and provides a steady presence on the back end of the bullpen.
A sellout crowd is expected to take in the contest, which will be televised on ESPN2. West Virginia President Michael Benson and Athletic Director Wren Baker confirmed Thursday a fan-friendly set-up on the hill located above Kendrick Family Ballpark, now known as “Randy’s Ridge” to commemorate longtime WVU coach Randy Mazey, will be hosted throughout the weekend with the expectation that thousands will sit outside to watch the Mountaineers play.
For Sabins and his players, the goal is to play sound baseball and advance into Omaha.
“I think it can turn into a pretty quick boxing match, depending on how the game’s going,” said Sabins. “But I think just going into the game, trying to win the first pitch, being competitive, and making plays. The goal is just to take a deep breath, and go play clean baseball.”
