Longhorns Close Season With Pivotal Series Against No. 6 Mountaineers

The Longhorns enter their series against West Virginia looking to stage a coup and bring home another conference title.

© Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Well, folks, it has all come down to this. There is only one series left in the regular season for the Texas Longhorns, as they welcome the West Virginia Mountaineers to town to cap off the season. 

Just how important is this series between the Longhorns and Mountaineers? Both teams enter with the chance to leave the weekend conference champions, albeit with the odds of that happening for West Virginia much higher. 

However, the Longhorns can win the regular season conference championship. First and foremost, they need to sweep the Mountaineers. Anything less and they can kiss a conference title goodbye. If, and that's still a big if, they do that then they will need Oklahoma to take at least one game from Oklahoma State.

Seems simple, right? All they need to do for now is focus on winning. Win your games and let the rest take care of itself it. Of course, that will be much easier said than done as the Mountaineers enter the series ranked No. 6 overall and sitting atop the standings in the Big 12. 

How to watch/listen: 

Game 1: Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)

Game 2: Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)

Game 3: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)

A look at West Virginia's season so far

There might not be a bigger surprise in college baseball this season than the Mountaineers. They enter this atop the standings in the Big 12, knowing that their destiny to winning the conference and hosting a regional in the NCAA Tournament is completely in their hands. Luckily for them they have been strong on the road this season, going 19-7 away from home. 

West Virginia by the numbers: 

Record: 39-13 (15-6)

Runs scored: 433

Runs allowed: 240

Team Avg.: .304

Team ERA: 4.13

West Virginia wins this series if...

It can do what it has done all season long in conference play. Sitting at 15-6 against the Big 12, the Mountaineers have only dropped one series to Kansas - a team that gave the Longhorns fits. That being said, if their pitching travels well and shuts down a hot Texas lineup then they should have no trouble leaving Austin as Big 12 champions. 

Texas wins this series if...

Forget just winning the series, the Longhorns need to sweep if they want any shot at a conference title. It will likely come down to the pitching, especially the bullpen in late games. The rotation of Lucas Gordon, Lebarron Johnson Jr. and Tanner Witt/Travis Sthele is one good enough to keep West Virginia at bay while the offense works. If the bullpen follows suit to close games, then the Longhorns have a shot at rallying to bring home the Big 12 title. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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