The West Virginia Mountaineers showed poise, persistence, and a flair for the dramatic Sunday afternoon, edging the UCF Knights 4-3 to complete a pivotal series sweep in Orlando. With the win, WVU improves its postseason resume and sends a strong message as the regular season winds down.
It wasn’t easy — and that’s exactly how the Mountaineers wanted it.
After taking the first two games of the series with solid pitching and timely hitting, WVU had to gut out a win in the finale. The Knights jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, capitalizing on a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly. But the Mountaineers didn’t flinch.
In the top of the fourth, West Virginia answered back with a pair of runs of their own, sparked by a clutch two-out double from freshman standout Ty Boster, who’s quickly proving his value in high-leverage moments. An RBI single from Caleb McNeely in the fifth gave the Mountaineers their first lead of the game, 3-2.
UCF responded with a game-tying run in the sixth, but the Mountaineers’ bullpen locked in from there. A go-ahead solo homer by Grant Hussey in the top of the eighth proved to be the game-winner, as WVU closer Aidan Major came on to slam the door in the ninth, securing the sweep and his sixth save of the season.
WVU head coach Randy Mazey praised his team’s resilience.
“That was a win built on toughness,” Mazey said. “We’ve been in close games all year, and this group never stops grinding. That’s what it takes to win on the road in this league.”
With the sweep, the Mountaineers improve their conference standing and add a key road series to their tournament résumé. They return home next weekend to face a ranked Oklahoma State squad in a series that could have major implications for seeding in the Big 12 Tournament.
For now, WVU rides the high of a hard-earned sweep — and the confidence that comes with winning the tight ones.