We haven’t really discussed this, what with that tricky seven-game losing streak, but WVU’s baseball team is officially loitering.

The Mountaineers aren’t in the conversation, but they do have a look at things. They play in the country’s second-best conference and are No. 30 in the RPI, and they’ve got eight games left against teams in the top 19. And there’s reason to believe things are falling into place after reshuffling the pitching staff and winning three of four, including two of three over the weekend at Oklahoma.

Don’t confuse the qualifications for the NCAA baseball and basketball tournaments, but don’t simply ignore the RPI, either. WVU could be in a much worse position, and the team is three games above .500 with 16 games to go. The schedule is equal parts helpful and demanding, though. WVU closes with seven in a row on the road and one neutral-site game. Before that? An eight-game homestand that begins tonight (if the weather allows it) as Ross Vance seeks a mid-week encore against very good Maryland.