Granville - On Thursday night, inside Kendrick's Family Stadium, it's probably the most "so West Virginia" situation.

The No. 17 climber led by Kansas pitching, rejecting 3-0…WVU won the first complete Big 12 baseball championship ever.

Box score

This is the first time that the climbers (40-11, 19-7 Big 12) have been closed since March 22, 2024, covering 89 races.

Rather than celebrate the moment with victory, the Climbers' conference champions airlifted 1,084 miles from Stillwater, Oklahoma, where Oklahoma State defeated Arizona State 6-2, eliminating the Sun Devils from competing for the league's regular season title.

"It's still super beneficial," WVU outfielder Kyle West said. "It's not the way we want this game to end, but a season isn't just based on one game.

"I think we'll still celebrate because it's a huge feat. We'll take some time to reflect on the losses first, but then we'll take some time to celebrate the team."

The title ensures that WVU will be the first seed in next week’s Big 12 Championship and is Steve Sabins’ first season as the climber’s chief coach.

"There is no mixed feeling, just coming here kindly and humbly," Sabines said. "It's really special. There's no mixed emotions because of winning. Winning West Virginia in a league of 14 teams isn't a mixed feeling for me. It's a beautiful thing."

WVU also won the Big 12 titles in 2023, but had to share the honor with Texas and Oklahoma State University.

Will not be shared this season.

"There are 14 (12 big) teams competing for this," Sabines continued. "Some are in an incredible hiring field. Some are incredible budgets. Some have more first round games. Some have more traditions.

“It’s hard, so if you can do the hard things and do things you’ve never done in your planning history, then I’m grateful and I’m going to be a part of it.”

As for the game itself, Kansas (40-14, 18-10)'s second seed in the Big 12 Championship was still alive, with Dominic Voegele's pitching performance being impressive, with Dominic Voegele spreading six hits in 7 innings. He hit six, without walking anyone.

Sabines said of Voegele: "That guy is a nail and the stud can beat you."

Jayhawks approached Alex Breckheimer in the last two innings. He didn't allow a hit and hit four.

Overall, WVU scored only 1 (.091) in the 11 (.091) race, while runners only had two runners hit third base throughout the race.

"He directed the area all night and got on the people as early as possible," West said of Voegele. "He got a lead in numbers. His stuff is great. You have to attribute it to him."

Jayhawks essentially won the Brady Counsell's Fielder's Choice RBI in the first inning.

When Michael Brooks hit the home run, the game remained 1-0 until the eighth inning. Ian Francis added another solo home run in the ninth inning to score the final score.

WVU starter Griffin Kirn suffered a huge loss. He scored eight innings and allowed two runs on seven hits. He eliminated 10.

"After the game, I told him he was probably the lowest reward pitcher for our staff," Sabines said.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. as climbers try to bounce back.

Climbers can use it because they haven't been completely looking at part of the Big 12 dog since the loss of a walk to Marshall on April 30.

They have lost six of their last nine games, with three of them appearing in a walking way at the bottom of the ninth inning.

The closing loss can now be added to the list.

“We’ve lost lately, and it’s never been fun,” West said. “It’s about whether you can grow, learn and get better from those losses.”