After an exciting fourth weekend, college baseball returns this weekend as 14 Big 12 teams are hitting the diamond. And with non-conference play in the rearview, the path to Arlington starts now with conference play opening up. There are plenty of big-time series ahead, so let’s take a look at the top four storylines heading into the weekend.
Is West Virginia For Real?
Coming into the season, the Cowboys were the favorite to win the Big 12. And while their 9-7 record may not seem great, they played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the conference. While many still favor them, my focus is on West Virginia this weekend. I know the non-conference schedule was fairly easy, but Mountaineers are sitting at 15-1 right now, which is extremely impressive.
West Virginia has the second-best team batting average in the Big 12 (.327) led by Skylar King and a few others. Plus, their pitching so far has been great as well, with a team ERA of 3.21, thanks to guys like Griffin Kirn and Carson Estridge. This weekend in Stillwater should tell us a lot about the Mountaineers moving forward.
Who is Taking the Next Step?
Two of the biggest surprises so far this year have been Baylor and Kansas. While the Jayhawks are expected to make a regional, nobody had Baylor on their radar at all, and with a 13-3 record, it’s hard to ignore them. Up to this point, Baylor’s pitching has been elite. Ethan Calder looks like one of the best pitchers in the conference and the bullpen behind him has been fantastic as well. Now they face one of their toughest tests yet, going against a high-powered Kansas offense that leads the Big 12 in home runs led by Jackson Hauge (7).
Both of these teams are top five in the Big 12 in team batting average and team ERA and both of them have been on a roll. You couldn’t ask for a better start to the season for either team or a series win here would be a big way to kick off conference play.
A Grand Canyon-Sized Welcome
I know I have mentioned both Arizona schools several times already this season in my weekend six-packs, but I would like to officially welcome them to the conference with their first-ever Big 12 series this weekend.
The Wildcats are hosting a feisty Cincinnati team that was once in the top 25 but has fallen as of late. Both teams have had their moments on the mound this season but the one thing to keep an eye on is Arizona’s offense. They are top five in team batting average, and when you have guys like Brendan Summerhill and Mason White leading the charge, that offense is about as consistent as anyone in the Big 12. The Bearcats will certainly have their hands full with them.
As for Arizona State, they may have the most challenging test out of anyone in the conference because they have to go to Fort Worth to take on TCU. Neither TCU nor Arizona State have been juggernauts offensively, so it’s going to come down to pitching depth, which I am not sure either team has right now.
Will Texas Tech Ever Wake Up?
Those who have followed along with me this year know about my complaints about Texas Tech. And with a 3-11 record this season, it’s hard not to criticize the Red Raiders. Sure, they played an incredibly tough non-conference slate, but they have yet to win a weekend and are coming off a weekend where Grand Canyon swept them. A team ERA of 7.02 is by far the worst in the Big 12, and until they can get settled on the mound, this team will be fighting an uphill battle all season long.
Now, the Red Raiders will travel down to Houston to face the Cougars. And while Houston does look better than what they were a year ago, they are still one of the bottom-tier teams in the Big 12. This is a must-win series for Texas Tech to get things going in the right direction.
Other Series
Utah at Kansas State
UCF at BYU
