By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
West Virginia limped out of the gates in the first five innings against Georgia Southern, but exploded for 15 runs from the sixth to the ninth innings blowing out the Eagles on Opening Night, 15-3.
The Mountaineers have not lose a series opener since 2023 when they lost to — you guessed it — Georgia Southern.
WVU and Georgia Southern will wrap up their three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 2 pm.
On Friday night, West Virginia used four pitchers to complete the win.
Reese Bassinger: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Chansen Cole: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Bryson Thacker: 1.2 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K
JJ Glasscock: 1 IP, 1 K
Bassinger came in out of the bullpen and locked down the Eagles hitters. His command was excellent, velocity looked good and he had the hitters confidence at a low.
Bassinger earned the win.
WVU stayed hot with two outs from last year as they continued its theme from late last season as nine of its 15 runs, Friday night came with two outs.
On the 12 hits collected in the win, Tyrus Hall had three and Armani Guzman, Matthew Graveline, and Paul Schoenfeld each had two hits on the night.
WVU will rely on Maxx Yehl in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader. Yehl did not play in 2025 due to Tommy John but says this year is “unfinished business” for him and the Mountaineers. Yehl last pitched on June 2, 2024.
Game two of the doubleheader will see WVU rely on DII transfer and standout pitcher Dawson Montesa. Last season Montesa went 8-1 with an impressive 1.99 ERA and 105 strikeouts to only 24 walks allowed over 72.1 innings of work.
Photo: WVU Athletics
