West Virginia vs. Indiana Score Predictions

We give our predictions on the Mountaineers opening round matchup against the Hoosiers

The West Virginia Mountaineers (39-18) meet the Indiana Hoosiers (41-18) in the opening round of the Lexington Regional in the NCAA tournament Friday night with the first pitch set for seven and the action will stream on ESPN+. 

Schuyler Callihan: West Virginia 7, Indiana 4

West Virginia had a disappointing end to the season losing five straight and missing out on hosting a regional and I think hearing about that collapse for almost a week sparks a fire underneath them. JJ Wetherholt struggled mightily at the dish during that stretch and getting some extra time off allowed him to work on some things and refresh. 

As for Indiana, they're stumbling into tournament play as well having lost four of its last six games. They allowed 22 runs over the last two games, so if West Virginia can knock out Luke Sinnard early, I like their chances against Indiana's mediocre bullpen.

Christopher Hall: West Virginia 5 Indiana 2

Neither program has reached the postseason since 2019. However, Indiana made a college world series appearance in 2013, starting a run of six postseason appearances in seven seasons under two different head coaches. 

Indiana has not been tested as much as West Virginia, but the Mountaineers come into the tournament on a five-game losing streak while the Hoosiers have won two out of their last six. 

West Virginia will need to get out of its hitting slump during the skid if the Mountaineers want to remain in the winner's bracket. Maybe the week off gave the Mountaineers a much-needed rest after a grueling Big 12 schedule.

I believe the Mountaineers' experience on the road in Big 12 atmospheres gives them the edge along with Blaine Traxel's unorthodox pitching style slowing the Hoosiers offense while the West Virginia bats start to come back alive. WVU moves on 5-2. 

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