Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team has one of the top pitching staffs and it could very well be the key piece that helps the Mountaineers break through to Omaha.
Built on versatility, trust and a mentality centered around simply “getting outs,” WVU has developed a staff capable of handling nearly any situation as the Mountaineers prepare for postseason play.
“That’s why we’re in the spot that we’re in,” head coach Steve Sabins said. “I think we’re ninth in the nation in ERA or something along those lines. And then you’ve just had guys that have been able to get the ball and pitch.”
Getting outs has been a mentality that has defined WVU’s heartbeat all season.
“And so that’s been a big concentration of ours is just go get outs,” Sabins said. “You’re an outgetter. You’re not a closer. You’re not a middle reliever. You’re not a Friday starter. You’re an outgetter.”
The Mountaineers have leaned heavily on flexibility throughout the season, with pitchers embracing different roles depending on the situation. Guys have flopped roles from starters to relievers and vice versa.
“And we just have a lot of guys that are like just give me the ball and I’m going to pitch until you come take it out of my hand,” Sabins said.
That approach has allowed WVU to build consistency on the mound and has helped build confidence in the pitching staff as the team prepares for the Morgantown Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
“That’s that’s really how good teams are built,” Sabins said.
In fact, the pitching staff could be what sets this team apart from teams in the past when it comes to postseason runs.
Sophomore pitcher Chansen Cole has been part to the Mountaineers’ success and has remained calm and cool even under pressure. The right-hander picked up eight wins this season and boasts a 3.04 ERA. Against Kansas State during the regular season, he pitched a five-hit complete game.
Cole will get the nod on Friday against Binghamton and he believes trust is what has translated into his success.
“I think it’s just trusting your routine all the way up to this point,” Cole said. “Obviously, you’ve done something to build a play on this team and in this conference. So, just trusting the routine and what’s got you here and just going about it as as like it’s another day and another outing.”
Cole has quickly emerged as one of WVU’s most reliable arms this season after transferring from Division II Newberry.
“To say that we thought that he would be a game one starter of a regional, that would probably be aggressive,” Sabins said. “He has exceeded expectations greatly.”
Sabins credits the trust built throughout the staff as what has helped pitchers settle into whatever role is needed most during the postseason.
“Pitching is the most important thing on the baseball team so that kids can start to try to categorize themselves of what they are instead of saying you are a pitcher,” Sabins said. “Just go get outs.”
The Mountaineers and the Bearcats will play at 5 p.m. on Friday at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
Photo Credit: Shanna Rose
