Mountaineer Morning Links: Friday (5/15/14) Edition

Football notes, baseball takes game 1 from Texas Tech, hoops in several "challenges" next year, recruiting, WVUPros news, Big 12 roundup & more.

By WVUIE97@WVUIE97 May 15, 2015, 8:46am EDT

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Triangle Brewing Company's Belgian Golden Ale.

What You May Have Missed:

Men's Soccer Spring Recap - WVU Athletics
The WVU men's soccer team wrapped up its spring season.

Three More Join WVU for 2015-16 Season - WVU Athletics
WVU coach Mike Carey announces three additions for 2015-16 season.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Jerry West's top moment: '60 Olympics - Times West Virginian
It was, Jerry West admits, a different era, a different place in time.

FURFARI COLUMN: WVU record-setter Grant Wiley now acting on Broadway - Times West Virginian
Grant Wiley, the ninth among only 11 consensus All-Americans in West Virginia University’s 122-year football history, now is an actor on Broadway.

Hawkins excelled as defensive tackle for Mountaineers - Beckley Register-Herald
Barry Hawkins of Lancaster County, Pa., was a 6-foot-4, 310 pound defensive tackle on West Virginia University’s football teams from 1990-1993.

News of Note:

Football

Roundtable: Most, least experienced Big 12 teams - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
This should be the season West Virginia finally sees the lumps it took while playing underclassmen during 2012 and 2013 paying off.

WVU Football: Promise and Concern - BGN
How did the pluses and minuses change after spring drills, and what further changes could have an effect during fall practice?

Post-Spring Breakdown: CB - EerSports
EerSports breaks down where each position is right now, and where it could be in the fall. Today, the cornerbacks.4

Big 12 post-spring position rankings: OL - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
9. West Virginia

Baseball

Baseball Picks Up Series-Opening Victory - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball team scored six runs in the first three innings en route to a 6-4 victory over Texas Tech

Behind Davis and Donato, Mountaineers strike first vs. Texas Tech - WV MetroNews
West Virginia got the first of the two wins it needs to clinch a spot in the Big 12 tournament.

WVU Changes Approach, Beats Texas Tech - BGN
West Virginia's see it, slug it approach was causing little more than fits for itself and wins for the opposition. So entering the biggest of series against Texas Tech, head coach Randy Mazey and the seniors hit the reset button - and in the process gained a huge victory.

Donato, Davis Combine to Top Texas Tech - BGN
Chad Donato threw seven strong innings and West Virginia’s offense found its groove as the Mountaineers beat Texas Tech 6-4 in a key opening series game on Thursday.

Davis provides a lift for WVU offense in 6-4 victory - Exponent Telegram
It was during batting practice when West Virginia coach Randy Mazey approached Kyle Davis, his freshman sensation, with a new idea.

WATCH: WVU Grabs Crucial Win in Series Opener vs. TTU - WVillustrated
The WVU Baseball team picked up a critical win over Texas Tech in the series opener on Thursday evening to keep its hopes alive for a spot in next week's Big 12 Conference Tournament.

Gold and Blue Now: Friday, May 15 - WV MetroNews
Allan Taylor breaks down WVU baseball’s crucial Thursday night win over Texas Tech, Chad Donato talks pitching success, and Bob Huggins lands his final athlete in the 2015 class.

Hoops

Matchups Announced For Big 12/SEC Challenge - WVU Athletics
WVU will play Florida in Gainesville on Jan. 30

Florida to host West Virginia in 2016 SEC/Big 12 Challenge - Alligator Army
After two years playing Kansas, Florida gets ... well, not Kansas, but not a bad team.

WVU Basketball: Vegas Baby! - BGN
West Virginia's men's basketball team will be one of eight participants in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational. The November tournament will include two games at campus sites and two games for each team in Las Vegas.

Ranking the Big 12/SEC Challenge games - ESPN (autoplay)
5. West Virginia at Florida

Recruiting:

WVU completes 2015 class with 3-star prospect West - WV MetroNews
The 6-foot-7 forward also holds offers from Arkansas, Mississippi State and St. John's.

WVU Finishes Out 2015 Class - EerSports
West Virginia had an open scholarship after the departure of small forward Billydee Williams, and the Mountaineers had recruited and scouted a handful of potential transfers and junior college players. In the end, though, they settled in on a prep target in Miller Grove (GA) forward Lamont West.

Pro News:

Bruce Irvin: "I'm going to be in Atlanta next season" - College To Pro Sports
The Seahawks recently declined the fifth year option on Bruce Irvin's rookie contract. Next season, he could return home.

Former WVU OL Barclay Hits Big Screen in Pitch Perfect 2 - WVillustrated
Pitch Perfect Packers: See how Barclay and a few of his Green Bay teammates made it into the new comedy set to hit theaters on Friday.