WVU Picked to Host Regional, Possibly Super Regional in New Tournament Projections

The West Virginia Mountaineers are hitting their groove, now sitting at 20-5 on the season and just one game behind UCF for first place in the Big 12 Conference standings. That, of course, can change this weekend when they host the Knights in Morgantown for a three-game series.

Last weekend, they were able to take two of three from a very good Arizona State team, not allowing a 14-4 loss in game one carry over to the rest of the series. Then, in their early midweek "out of conference" game against Arizona, they took care of business, winning 7-4 before returning home.

Heading into this weekend's series, the Mountaineers have a 7-0 record in three-game series and have yet to lose a midweek game. If they continue to rack up series wins and do their thing in the midweek, they'll be in position to host a regional, and perhaps earn a top-eight national seed, which means if you win the regional, you'll be the host for a super regional as well.

Earlier this week, some midseason tournament projections were released, with both publications having WVU as a host, but one of them as a top-eight seed.

D1Baseball Projection

1. West Virginia (7)
4. Oral Roberts

2. Wake Forest
3. Tennessee

Baseball America Projection

1. West Virginia (14)
4. Yale

2. Nebraska
3. LSU

West Virginia has the arms to win big

Dawson Montesa was roughed up against Arizona State, but when he's on, his stuff is hard to barrel up. Aside from the six runs he allowed against BYU, Chansen Cole has been as advertised, posting an ERA of 3.62. And then, of course, Maxx Yehl, who has been nothing short of phenomenal, pitching like one of the best starters in all of college baseball. Even with the departure of Chase Meyer, the Mountaineers still have a number of quality arms in the bullpen who can operate in high-leverage situations, including true freshman closer David Perez.

A balanced lineup

West Virginia may not have the power to change the game with one swing very often, but man, do they make pitchers work. They drive up pitch counts, wreak havoc on the basepaths, and are typically good situational hitters. There's not a single soft spot in WVU's lineup. From Matt Ineich in the leadoff spot to Tyrus Hall, who is usually in the nine hole, they can all hit and drive the ball into the gap.