WVU utility man Gavin Kelly isn't wasting much time making an impact for Team USA during the World Collegiate Baseball Championship.
Kelly, who is projected as the top pick of the 2027 MLB Amateur Draft by Baseball America, went 5 for 6 with a home run and four RBIs during a 10-6 victory on Sunday against Chinese Taipei. It was the first five-hit game for a Team USA player since 2019.
Kelly scored three runs and added a stolen base in the game.
In a 3-2 victory against Japan on Monday, Kelly was 1 for 4 with a walk.
Kelly tied a WVU school record with 19 home runs in a single season in helping lead the Mountaineers to the national semifinals of the College World Series this past season. He batted .380 with 63 RBIs for WVU.
Bassinger signs with Toronto
WVU pitcher Reese Bassinger signed as an undrafted free agent on Monday with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He became the fifth WVU player to be drafted or sign as a free agent with an MLB team, along with former teammates Dawson Montesa (No. 72, Cardinals), Maxx Yehl (No. 91, Royals), Paul Schoenfeld (No. 236, Diamondbacks), and Ian Korn (No. 298, Giants).
"Earned it," WVU head coach Steve Sabins posted on social media about Bassinger. "Reese pitched in big moments and big games for two historic seasons. Unbelievable person and teammate. Best days ahead."
Bassinger pitched for two seasons at WVU, finishing 11-4 with seven saves and a 3.77 ERA in 61 appearances.
WVU-Auburn gets late tip
The WVU men's basketball game against Auburn, in the opening round of The Players Era 8 tournament in Las Vegas, will tip-off at midnight on July 18 inside the Michelob ULTRA Arena.
It will be the first midnight tip for the Mountaineers since WVU traveled to Gonzaga to open the 2012-13 season.
The Mountaineers will be in Year 2 under head coach Ross Hodge, who guided the Mountaineers to a 21-14 record and a championship in the College Basketball Crown during his first season.
Auburn is coming off a 22-16 season after winning the NIT last season.
The WVU-Auburn winner/loser will play the winner/loser of Kansas-UNLV in the second round.