Program Record Watch: WVU Baseball

WVU Baseball is producing a record-setting product.

The team, now No. 11/12 in the country, is carving its way through conference play. Following back-to-back series sweeps of TCU and Baylor, this Mountaineer team is already working in rarefied air. Since their inclusion in the conference, West Virginia has never swept back-to-back league foes.

Until now.

So far in 2023, this Mountaineer squad has broken program attendance records. Against the TCU Horned Frogs, more than 9,000 fans came out to Monongalia County Ballpark to see the action. Game one of that series garnered the sixth largest turnout in program history - 3,441. An average of 2,095 fans per game also ranks WVU No. 34 in the country.

Internally, the team is also breaking program records.

The lineup is currently on pace for 2,202 at-bats (PR), 487 runs (No. 3 all-time), and 79 home runs (PR). In addition, the team has accumulated 253 of the program-leading 257-walk threshold this season. Power hitters have been clearing the base paths at a rate that would prove to rank No. 3 in program history, and the best of the Mazey Era; currently sitting at 329 RBIs, 434 would set the new record, and the Mountaineer bats are only getting hotter. Batters rank No. 2 in the Big 12, amassing a .305 average, just shy of Texas Tech's .315. They've gotten hits, but they've also gotten hit. In fact, WVU only needs eight more players to get plunked in order to tie the program's 89 HBP record.

Defensively, head coach Randy Mazey's bullpen has come in with firepower. The pitching staff is on its way to 514 Ks, effectively shattering 2019's 497. WVU's pitchers sit at No. 2 in conference; they've tabbed a collective 4.20 ERA, placing them just behind the Texas Longhorns. They also tie the Kansas State Wildcats for dead last in the conference for walks allowed (165).

Big things are in the works over at Monongalia County Ballpark, and this week will prove to bring even more excitement to baseball in Morgantown. Fans on social media have decided to begin Operation 4356, fanfare aimed at breaking the all-time, single game attendance record. The record, 4,355, was set on May 31, 2019 during the NCAA Regional game against Fordham.

This week offers Mountaineer fans four opportunities to Pack The Mon.

Wednesday's action brings the Pitt Panthers to town. That game begins at 6:30 p.m., but weather is predicted to be rainy and mild. Moving into the warmer, weekend series, the Oklahoma Sooners will be in town. Those games will begin at 6:30 p.m., 4 p.m., and 1 p.m.

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