In a game packed with intensity, momentum shifts, and postseason urgency, the West Virginia Mountaineers pulled off one of their most thrilling comebacks in recent memory, storming past Kentucky to secure a spot in the NCAA Super Regional. Trailing for most of the contest, WVU refused to go quietly, mounting a furious late-inning rally that left the Wildcats stunned and sent Mountaineer fans into a frenzy.
Kentucky, coming off a strong regional showing, looked poised to advance early. Their pitching kept West Virginia off-balance for much of the first six innings, while their bats delivered timely hits to build a comfortable lead. With the scoreboard reading 6-2 in favor of the Wildcats entering the bottom of the seventh, the outlook appeared grim for the Mountaineers.
But that’s when the tide turned.
Fueled by grit and timely hitting, WVU’s offense exploded in the seventh, capitalizing on a pair of walks and a key Kentucky error to load the bases. Then came the swing that changed everything — a bases-clearing double by junior slugger J.J. Wetherholt that ignited the comeback. Moments later, senior Dayne Leonard ripped an RBI single to give West Virginia its first lead of the game.
From there, the bullpen shut the door. Freshman phenom Derek Clark entered in relief and delivered