As West Virginia's baseball season kicks into its next gear, the Mountaineers are set to face Ohio today in their home opener, marking the first of 12 mid-week games in their 54-game schedule. With a strong 5-1 start and a national ranking, the team is tweaking its pitching strategy to adapt to this new phase.
In the opening stretch, pitchers Chansen Cole, Maxx Yehl, and Dawson Montesa have each taken the mound twice. But today, sophomore David Hagen will get the nod. Hagen, who was the go-to midweek starter last season, is stepping up as the team shuffles its rotation to meet the demands of a packed schedule.
Manager Steve Sabins shed light on the strategy, explaining how scrimmages set the stage for this moment. "Leading up to the season, you're playing scrimmages, right?"
he said. "So, you play Friday, Saturday, Sunday, for an example, and so let's say that we were lining up Cole, Yehl and Montesa to be the Friday, Saturday and Sunday starters."
With Hagen on the mound, the Mountaineers are looking to maintain their early momentum and showcase the depth of their roster. It's a strategic move that reflects the team's adaptability and depth, crucial elements as they navigate the challenges ahead.