West Virginia is going to score runs by the bushel this year. The Mountaineers led the Big East in batting (.341, fifth-best in the nation) and scoring (8.5 runs per game, 15th-best in the nation) in 2008, and it looks like it will be more of the same in 2009.

West Virginia lit up Indiana ace Matt Bashore for six runs on eight hits over three innings yesterday en route to a 14-4 win. The WVU bats were kept in check for four innings today by Minnesota’s 6-foot-6 sophomore righthander Seth Rosin (4 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K), but the Mountaineers strung together three straight hits in the fifth against reliever Luke Rasmussen, highlighted by slugger Joe Agreste’s double off the right-field wall. In a flash, West Virginia had scored three runs and erased Minnesota’s early 3-0 lead. We’re now in the sixth inning, and the score remains 3-3. If West Virginia can get just adequate pitching this year from its young arms, the Mountaineers could make a serious run in the Big East. Justin Parks, Austin Markel, Jedd Gyorko and Agreste might be the best quartet of bats in the entire conference, and Tobias Streich is a good-looking hitter as well. It’s easy to see how Gyorko hit .409 with eight homers as a freshman last year: He has a quiet offensive approach, a balanced swing and very quick hands.

I continue to be impressed with the quality of the star players at this event. It’s always fun when the best players perform the best, and that is what has happened this weekend. Minnesota outfielder Eric Decker is another impressive-looking player. We knew he was a great athlete, but I was surprised just how physical he is. He’s hit a few balls hard over the last two days and has two hits already today. Of course, he’s also been caught stealing twice.