Full Breakdown
West Virginia Overcomes Arizona State to Reach Big 12 Baseball Championship
5/23/2026, 10:25:02 PM
Tournament Background
The 2026 Big 12 tournament gave No. 2 seed West Virginia (39-13) a double-bye to the semifinals. No. 3 seed Arizona State reached the same round by beating Cincinnati 10-2, a game that featured sophomore Landon Hairston’s record-breaking 28th home run.
Key Figures and Coaching Staff
West Virginia’s starter Chansen Cole pitched five innings, allowing two runs and striking out six. Relievers Reese Bassinger, Dawson Montesa, Ben McDougal and senior left-hander Ben McDougal combined for three hitless innings. Arizona State’s coach Willie Bloomquist listed left-hander Cole Carlon as its ace, cleared after a recent “dead arm” issue, and relied on outfielder Landon Hairston and first baseman Dominic Smaldino.
Game Summary
West Virginia took a 1-0 lead in the second when Sean Smith’s leadoff double was driven home by Brodie Kresser’s RBI double. Arizona State answered in the fourth with Dean Toigo’s two-run homer to lead 2-1. A six-run sixth—three singles, a wild pitch and a throwing error—put WVU ahead 4-3, and a three-run eighth, sparked by a walk to Armani Guzman and a Kresser single, sealed a 7-3 win.
Statistics
West Virginia logged 11 hits, three runs and nine strikeouts; Cole’s line was five innings, two runs, six strikeouts, no walks. The bullpen added two more runs while allowing no hits. Arizona State recorded three hits, one run and six strikeouts; Carlon gave up one run in 5.1 innings with six strikeouts.
Impact
The win sends West Virginia to the championship against top-seed Kansas, deciding the Big 12 title and an automatic NCAA tournament berth. Securing the conference crown would improve WVU’s national seeding, while Arizona State’s season ends despite Hairston’s historic home-run record.
Official Statements
Bloomquist said Carlon is “totally fine” and the Sun Devils are “in a good spot” for the final. WVU’s athletic department praised the bullpen’s “dominant” effort and credited head coach Steve Sabins for trusting his relievers in high-leverage situations.
Criticism
Bloomquist noted uncertainty over the next pitcher, saying, “We’re not 100 percent sure who we’re going with tomorrow,” reflecting concerns about Carlon’s arm.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He's totally fine,” — Willie Bloomquist, Arizona State head coach
- “We're in a good spot,” — Willie Bloomquist, Arizona State head coach
- “If we get past them, then we'll worry about who the next matchup is.” — Willie Bloomquist, Arizona State head coach
- “It was a big weight off my shoulders, that’s for sure, just super excited,” — Landon Hairston, Arizona State outfielder
What’s Next
WVU meets Kansas Saturday night; the game will air on ESPN2.
