The West Virginia University baseball program was swept at home by the Kansas Jayhawks over the weekend and fell out of the two top 25 polls.

West Virginia remains ranked in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers association (17) USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll (23) and Perfect Game (23), while dropping out of D1baseball.com and Baseball America.

The Mountaineers sit 28th in the RPI.

West Virginia lost five of its last six Big 12 Conference games, including four consecutive decisions to end the regular season. However, Mountaineers clinched the program’s second Big 12 regular season championship, the first outright title since joining the league in 2013.

Junior Sam White has a team-high batting average of .352 with 39 RBI, senior Kyle West has clubbed a team-best nine home runs and is hitting .352, which ranks second on the team, and senior Jace Rinehart leads the team in RBI and is third on the team with a .333 batting average.

Senior Jack Kartsonas leads the team with a 2.29 ERA, senior Griffin Kirn has recorded a team-leading 83 strikeouts, while sophomore Chase Meyer is leading the team with eight wins.

West Virginia in the National Rankings

D1Baseball: NR

USA TODAY Sports: 23

NCBWA: 17

Baseball America: NR

Perfect Game: 23

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Retired Commander of the West Virginia National Guard, Major General Bill Crane will be joining in on discussions regarding the need to strengthen America’s starter battery supply chains.

Crane is going to be a panelist at a CQ/ Roll Call briefing in Washington D.C. on Tuesday morning that’s sponsored by the Responsible Battery Coalition (RBC), who promotes supply chain security for the batteries in American vehicles.

During the briefing, Crane and other officials will not only be discussing battery supply chain necessities, but the importance of bolstering critical mineral production and ensuring national security amid rising global instability.

Crane recently came on MetroNews Midday to talk about everything the panel would be holding discussions on Tuesday.

He said this need of securing supply chains was something that first came about during the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020 when China was implementing measures that significantly had an impact on global supply.

“We realized how our supply chains are really controlled by China, because we couldn’t get masks, gowns, and all of those medical supplies, and we really learned a lot during that time, and so, it’s the same thing you’re seeing today,” Crane said.

China currently dominates 48% of the global supply.

Now, with two-thirds of U.S. access to critical minerals like antimony, that is used for strengthening batteries in vehicles and devices being cut off, as well as tensions with China escalating, Crane said this conversation is more crucial than ever as it deals with protecting American jobs, industrial capacity, and national security.

Crane said 100% of those Rare Earth minerals are processed in China and are sent back to the U.S.

He said while the U.S. has some processing capabilities, it’s not to the degree that the country needs, and this coalition wants to make sure that we have those capabilities so that we have control over our own supply chains.

“It’s absolutely critical for our defense, every vehicle, every plane has a battery in it, all of our weapons systems have some kind of a rare Earth element piece to it, so again, it’s really critical for us to control those supply chains,” he said.

Key topics during the event will include:

.Protecting America’s starter batteries

.Reducing reliance on foreign-controlled minerals like antimony

.Advancing U.S. battery recycling and innovation to build a secure, circular domestic supply chain

Crane said that everything that we must have in order to create and advance the modern society we enjoy today comes down to these rare earth elements that are currently controlled by China.

“We want to build our own stuff here in America so we can trust it and know that it’s safe,” he said.

He added that all of our devices, such as what’s in our solar panels, our iPhones, and our critical infrastructure all contain these elements.

Crane said the next step is in making some kind of investment in ensuring we can process these minerals ourselves and control our own destiny.

He said a promising aspect in potentially solving this issue is found in coal ash, mostly from coal processed right here in Appalachia as it contains a lot of rare earth elements.

“So, you know, what was a by-product of burning coal to produce the power, now you can reprocess it and actually extract rare earth elements out of the coal ash,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Crane was selected to be on this panel for being a champion in helping to modernize America’s defense and industrial capabilities, and is a strong advocate for domestic battery manufacturing and resilient supply chains that support both military and civilian infrastructure,

Crane served as the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard from 2021 to 2025 with the Critical Infrastructure Protection Battalion under his command.

He is a 36-year Army veteran and engineer. Once commanding the 111th Engineer Brigade, Crane was instrumental in improving the nation’s homeland defense, emergency response and critical mineral security.

He said Tuesday’s panel will be made up of himself and eight others with expertise all around. Crane further explained how the panel was going to go.

“There’s some folks from Israel, there will be other corporate partners there as well,” Crane said. “We’ve also set up a meeting after the event, we’re going to try and sit and talk with Senator Capito for a little bit and explain that to her as well.”

Other confirmed speakers include:

Adam Muellerweiss, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Clarios; President, Responsible Battery Coalition
Craig Singleton, Senior Director, China Program, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Micah Thompson, Senior Manager, Energy and Utilities, Advance Auto Parts
Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
Elected Officials and Policymakers – To Be Announced

The event gets underway from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday. You can stream the event on securingamericanbattertech.com.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — The West Virginia National Guard is working to add more staff to their Sexual Assault Prevention and Response [SAPR] Team to create more extensive coverage in the Mountain State. SAPR focuses on training, education and prevention for sexual assault. The team also provides crucial, and confidential resources for victims.

((ANCHOR))

SPOTLIGHT ON AMERICA IS ACTIVLEY INVESTIGATING THE NEW PROMISES FROM THE PENTAGON WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL ASSAULT WITHIN THE MILITARY. LAWMAKERS NOW PRESSING FOR MORE STAFF AND FINANCIAL FUNDING TO HELP COMBAT THESE CONCERNING STATISTICS. EYEWITNESSS NEWS ANCHOR PAYTON MARSHALL SPOKE TO THE WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD ABOUT THEIR SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS…. AND HOW THEY HOPE TO IMPROVE THESE CRUCIAL MEASURES FOR SURVIVORS.

((SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“You’re not alone, there is help out there, there is no shame in coming forward.”

((VO))

JENNY “CALL-UH-GRAUS-OH” IS A MEMBER OF THE WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD’S SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPOSNE TEAM–ALSO KNOWN AS “SAP-ER”. THEY PROVIDE 24 HOUR, 7 DAYS A WEEK SERVICES FOR ANY SERIVCE MEMEBER WITHIN THE STATE–TO CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES….WHETHER THAT’S TO FILE A REPORT, ASSISTANCE WITH A SAFE KIT, THERAPY, LEGAL COUNCIL, HEALTH CARE, SPIRITUAL SUPPORT–OR EVEN JUST SOMOENE TO TALK TO.

((SOT))

(Jessica Deffendall -130th Airlift Wing Victim Advocate)

“When you’re going through a traumatic event it is really tough to talk about your experience and everything you’ve been through and sometimes its easier to talk to someone who can’t talk back to you.”

((VO))

MEET PHIN–A BUNDLE OF FUR, JOY AND PATHCES. HE’S A CERITFIED THERAPY DOG…PROVIDING COMFORT TO VICTIMS. HE ALSO BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS. MANY TIMES–PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE

SAP-ER TEAM, DUE TO THE STIGMA OF SEXUAL ASSAULT–BUT PHIN’S WAGGING ENERGY CREATES AN INVITING SPACE–WHICH IS CRUCIAL IF ANYONE EVER NEEDS TO COME FORWARD

((SOT-COVER IN -B-ROLL))

(Jessica Deffendall -130th Airlift Wing Victim Advocate)

“He breaks down those barriers and people talk with us and they engage with us and then by doing that we’re forging those relationships.”

((VO))

“AIR-EE-AUNA” HAS BEEN WITH THE WV NATIONAL GUARD FOR 16 YEARS–SHE’S ALSO SERVED AS A VICTIM ADOVATE

((SOT-COVER IN B-ROLLA FTER PROGRAM))

(Arina Shuemake – Interim Public Affairs Officers for WV National Guard)

“Having trained individuals that go through this program that are trauma informed that are there to provide that safe space for the survivors to come forward.”

((SOT))

(Arina Shuemake – Interim Public Affairs Officers for WV National Guard)

“It’s, It’s important to me and one of the reasons I got involved is more on a personal level.”

((VO))

SHE KNOWS ALL TOO WELL THE NECESSITY OF A PROGRAM LIKE SAP-ER

((SOT))

(Arina Shuemake – Interim Public Affairs Officers for WV National Guard)

“I’ve known people that have gone through these situations and knowing, kind of the struggle they’ve gone through.”

((SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“It’s so important because it’s not been dealt with properly in the past and when somebody doesn’t deal with that kind of trauma, it escalates and it builds and it builds and it builds until they need help or they turn to substance abuse or the suicide numbers go up.”

((SOT))

(payton asking on cam)

“What do you wish there was more transparency on?”

((SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“Something I wish there was more transparency on is the actual amount of sexual assault victims in society. “

((GRAPHIC #1))

so lets talk about those statistics….According to the CDC Over half of women have experienced sexual violence during their lifetimes and one in our women have experienced completed or attempted rape.

((GRAPHIC #2 ))

According to the CDC one in three men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime ad one in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape

((GRAPHIC #3))

According to Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Military Members, women in the military face a higher risk of sexual assault than men.

((VO)

regardless of the profession, speaking about sexual assault is not easy…

((SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“In the military it might be a little more difficult because you’re in kind of a closer quarter with your coworkers and there’s always that fear this this is your business and you’re not ready to tell it yet and you’ve got people to your right and to your left so you’re kind of afraid to come forward–what will they think of you and how is this going to go? and it’s a terrifying situation.”

((VO))

“CALL-UH-GRAUS-OH”‘S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE? MORE “SAP-ER” EMPLYOEES TO COVER THE MOUNTAIN STATE MORE EFFICIENTLY. AND SHE HAS A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR SURVIVORS….

(SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“Please come forward. We have confidentiality. If you just want to talk to us we will sit down and have a conversation and it goes no further than that.”((SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“You’re not alone, there is help out there, there is no shame in coming forward.”

((VO))

JENNY “CALL-UH-GRAUS-OH” IS A MEMBER OF THE WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD’S SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPOSNE TEAM–ALSO KNOWN AS “SAP-ER”. THEY PROVIDE 24 HOUR, 7 DAYS A WEEK SERVICES FOR ANY SERIVCE MEMEBER WITHIN THE STATE–TO CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES….WHETHER THAT’S TO FILE A REPORT, ASSISTANCE WITH A SAFE KIT, THERAPY, LEGAL COUNCIL, HEALTH CARE, SPIRITUAL SUPPORT–OR EVEN JUST SOMOENE TO TALK TO.

((SOT))

(Jessica Deffendall -130th Airlift Wing Victim Advocate)

“When you’re going through a traumatic event it is really tough to talk about your experience and everything you’ve been through and sometimes its easier to talk to someone who can’t talk back to you.”

((VO))

MEET PHIN–A BUNDLE OF FUR, JOY AND PATHCES. HE’S A CERITFIED THERAPY DOG…PROVIDING COMFORT TO VICTIMS. HE ALSO BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS. MANY TIMES–PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE

SAP-ER TEAM, DUE TO THE STIGMA OF SEXUAL ASSAULT–BUT PHIN’S WAGGING ENERGY CREATES AN INVITING SPACE–WHICH IS CRUCIAL IF ANYONE EVER NEEDS TO COME FORWARD

((SOT-COVER IN -B-ROLL))

(Jessica Deffendall -130th Airlift Wing Victim Advocate)

“He breaks down those barriers and people talk with us and they engage with us and then by doing that we’re forging those relationships.”

((VO))

“AIR-EE-AUNA” HAS BEEN WITH THE WV NATIONAL GUARD FOR 16 YEARS–SHE’S ALSO SERVED AS A VICTIM ADOVATE

((SOT-COVER IN B-ROLLA FTER PROGRAM))

(Arina Shuemake – Interim Public Affairs Officers for WV National Guard)

“Having trained individuals that go through this program that are trauma informed that are there to provide that safe space for the survivors to come forward.”

((SOT))

(Arina Shuemake – Interim Public Affairs Officers for WV National Guard)

“It’s, It’s important to me and one of the reasons I got involved is more on a personal level.”

((VO))

SHE KNOWS ALL TOO WELL THE NECESSITY OF A PROGRAM LIKE SAP-ER

((SOT))

(Arina Shuemake – Interim Public Affairs Officers for WV National Guard)

“I’ve known people that have gone through these situations and knowing, kind of the struggle they’ve gone through.”

((SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“It’s so important because it’s not been dealt with properly in the past and when somebody doesn’t deal with that kind of trauma, it escalates and it builds and it builds and it builds until they need help or they turn to substance abuse or the suicide numbers go up.”

((SOT))

(payton asking on cam)

“What do you wish there was more transparency on?”

((SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“Something I wish there was more transparency on is the actual amount of sexual assault victims in society. “

((GRAPHIC #1))

so lets talk about those statistics….According to the CDC Over half of women have experienced sexual violence during their lifetimes and one in our women have experienced completed or attempted rape.

((GRAPHIC #2 ))

According to the CDC one in three men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime ad one in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape

((GRAPHIC #3))

According to Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Military Members, women in the military face a higher risk of sexual assault than men.

((VO)

regardless of the profession, speaking about sexual assault is not easy…

((SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“In the military it might be a little more difficult because you’re in kind of a closer quarter with your coworkers and there’s always that fear this this is your business and you’re not ready to tell it yet and you’ve got people to your right and to your left so you’re kind of afraid to come forward–what will they think of you and how is this going to go? and it’s a terrifying situation.”

((VO))

“CALL-UH-GRAUS-OH”‘S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE? MORE “SAP-ER” EMPLYOEES TO COVER THE MOUNTAIN STATE MORE EFFICIENTLY. AND SHE HAS A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR SURVIVORS….

(SOT))

(Jenny Colagrosso – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Principal SARK)

“Please come forward. We have confidentiality. If you just want to talk to us we will sit down and have a conversation and it goes no further than that.”