Sports

Cole ‘excited’ to start for Mountaineers in regional opener

GRANVILLE — West Virginia pitcher Chansen Cole was overlooked coming out of the transfer portal. He was a Division II pitcher from Newberry College, was only a sophomore, didn’t have high velocity and was unproven at the Division I level, and more importantly, in a power conference. Head coach Steve Sabins took a chance on him and expected him to be in the mix for a weekend starter out of four to six pitchers he was working out in the fall. During Sabin’s after-practice press conference, he announced that Cole will start the first game of WVU’s NCAA postseason on Friday ...

Pendleton, Petersburg remain alive in state tourney play

SOUTH CHARLESTON — Pendleton County and Petersburg are still alive in state tournament action being held at Little Creek Park. Defending Class A state champion Pendleton County eliminated PVC rival East Hardy, 12-4, in its first contest on Thursday and then knocked Sherman out of the ...

Big 12 coaches unanimously agree on their preference for a 24-team playoff

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Big 12 coaches unanimously agreed Thursday on their preference for a 24-team College Football Playoff, a scenario in which the conference would have had five playoff teams last season instead of only league champion Texas Tech like it did in the current 12-team playoff format. When the 16 coaches were informally polled about doubling the size of the playoff field during one of their sessions at the Big 12 spring meetings, all of them raised their hands. “They should ask coaches for more opinions on what’s best for college football,” West Virginia coach ...

Pendleton County, East Hardy drop openers in state tournament

SOUTH CHARLESTON — Potomac Valley Conference members Pendleton County and East Hardy dropped decisions on the first day of the Class A state tournament Wednesday at Little Creek Park, Fifth-seed and defending state champion Pendleton County lost a 4-3 verdict to fourth-seed Wheeling ...

First responders address Tigers, Bulldogs

Baker ‘positive’ about men’s soccer split-season change

MORGANTOWN — Amidst all the college football and basketball news and all the postseason changes, there was some big men’s soccer news this spring. The Division I Men’s Soccer Oversight Committee adopted legislation changing the men’s soccer season into two semesters, which would start on Aug. 1, 2027. The action is supposed to be reviewed by the Division I Cabinet during its June 23-24 meeting. This change still keeps the maximum of 25 games. A max of 18 will be played in the fall, starting in late August and going until the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The spring season ...