**No. 12 West Virginia Heads to Kansas State With Big 12 Title Hopes on the Line**
With the regular season winding down and the Big 12 title race heating up, the No. 12 West Virginia Mountaineers hit the road for a critical three-game series against the Kansas State Wildcats this weekend. For WVU, the stakes couldn’t be higher — a strong showing in Manhattan could bring them within striking distance of their first-ever Big 12 regular-season championship.
West Virginia (35-12, 15-6 Big 12) enters the series on a hot streak, having won seven of their last nine games. The Mountaineers boast one of the most balanced lineups in the conference, combining strong pitching with consistent offensive production. Junior JJ Wetherholt, a National Player of the Year candidate, continues to lead the charge, hitting over .400 and leading the team in RBIs and home runs.
Joining Wetherholt is leadoff hitter Landon Wallace, who provides a steady bat and speed on the basepaths. The Mountaineers’ depth has also proven critical, with key contributions from catcher Dayne Leonard and outfielder Braden Barry. The pitching staff, anchored by lefty ace Tyler Switalski, has held opponents in check with a team ERA under 4.00. Reliever Carlson Reed has emerged as a late-inning weapon, boasting a high strikeout rate and several key saves.
Kansas State (29-18, 12-9 Big 12) isn’t just playing spoiler — they’re fighting for postseason positioning. The Wildcats are tough at home, having won their last five series at Tointon Family Stadium. Their offense is led by slugger Nick Goodwin and versatile infielder Kaelen Culpepper, both of whom can change the game with one swing. The Wildcats also bring a deep bullpen that can shorten games when they have the lead.
This series marks a clash of styles: West Virginia thrives on speed and situational hitting, while Kansas State leans on power and clutch performances. The pitching matchups should be intriguing. Friday night’s opener will likely see Switalski go up against K-State’s top starter, Owen Boerema, a reliable lefty who’s been effective at home.
Saturday’s and Sunday’s contests could swing on bullpen performance and defensive execution, as both teams have shown the ability to win close games. For WVU head coach Randy Mazey, this is another opportunity to solidify his program’s place among the Big 12’s elite and send a message ahead of the postseason.
A series win or sweep by West Virginia would keep them firmly in the title race with Texas and Oklahoma State, both also chasing the crown. With the Big 12 standings tight at the top, every game matters — and a stumble in Manhattan could derail the Mountaineers’ championship hopes.
For now, all eyes turn to Kansas, where WVU looks to make history and bring a Big 12 title back to Morgantown. The series begins Friday night, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. ET. The games will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
**#HailWV #Big12Baseball**
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