For the first time in program history, West Virginia is headed to the College World Series.
The Mountaineers (45-15) opening play Friday against the Sun Belt Conference’s Troy at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.
West Virginia enters the eight-team field after winning the Morgantown Regional and Super Regional to secure the program’s long-awaited trip to college baseball’s biggest stage.
The appearance marks the culmination of a remarkable season for head coach Steve Sabins’ club, which earned the program’s first national seed and then survived a difficult postseason path.
West Virginia battled through the loser’s bracket to win the Morgantown Regional before advancing through Super Regional play to punch its ticket to Omaha.
“The Mountaineers are going to Omaha, 135 years in the making,” Sabins said. “So, pretty special to be part of something that’s never been done in history before.”
Standing in the way Friday is a Troy team that enters the College World Series with a 38-30 record after navigating a challenging postseason run of its own.
The Trojans feature one of the nation’s most productive offenses, averaging more than seven runs per game while hitting .291 as a team with 93 home runs.
West Virginia counters with one of the most balanced teams in the field.
The Mountaineers hit .307 as a team while posting a 3.79 ERA, combining offensive depth with one of the nation’s top pitching staffs. WVU has outscored opponents 464-268 this season and enters Omaha with a plus-196 run differential.
“If you took away the championships and you took away sold out crowds and you took away NIL money and everything else, I think the kids in that locker room would show up every day and play,” Sabins said.
The opening matchup could hinge on the Mountaineers’ ability to slow Troy’s middle of the order.
The Trojans have six everyday players batting .291 or better and are led by Jimmy Janicki, who enters Omaha with a .341 average, 19 home runs and 85 RBIs. Aaron Piasecki (.346) and Steven Meier (.321) provide additional firepower for a lineup that has produced 666 hits this season.
West Virginia’s pitching staff is expected to be anchored by Big 12 pitcher of the year Maxx Yehl, who enters the College World Series with a 9-2 record, 2.10 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 90 innings. Chansen Cole has added a 10-1 record and 106 strikeouts, while Ian Korn has emerged as a reliable postseason weapon out of the bullpen.
Friday’s winner will move into the winner’s bracket and face the winner of Ole Miss and North Carolina on Sunday. The loser will face the Ole Miss-North Carolina loser in an elimination game.
For a program that had never reached Omaha before this season, the opportunity is unprecedented.
“You couldn’t ever want anything more than to make an impact on somebody’s life and for what you do to be meaningful. So, this state provides all that,” Sabins said. ““Anything is possible if there’s belief and backing and support and if you get the right people in the room.”
Players to watch
West Virginia
Gavin Kelly, C: The heartbeat of the Mountaineers’ offense. Kelly leads WVU with a .384 batting average, 17 home runs, 57 RBIs and a .720 slugging percentage. He also has 21 doubles and has reached base at a .484 clip.
Maxx Yehl, RHP: The likely Game 1 starter enters Omaha with a 9-2 record, 2.10 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 90 innings. Yehl has allowed opponents to hit just .219 against him this season.
Armani Guzman, OF: One of the catalysts atop the lineup. Guzman is batting .312 with 68 hits, 61 runs scored and 38 stolen bases in 41 attempts. His speed can change games.
Troy
Jimmy Janicki, C: Troy’s biggest offensive threat. Janicki is batting .341 with 24 doubles, 19 home runs and 85 RBIs. He ranks among the nation’s leaders in run production.
Aaron Piasecki, INF: The Trojans’ leading hitter enters Omaha batting .346 with 93 hits, 62 runs and 10 home runs. He has also drawn 39 walks and owns a .454 on-base percentage.
Zach Crotchfelt, RHP: Troy’s top bullpen arm has appeared in 27 games, posting a 7-2 record, 3.50 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. He could play a critical role in late-game situations throughout the tournament.
2026 Men’s College World Series
Where: Charles Schwab Field, Omaha, Nebraska
Friday (Bracket 1)
Game 1: Troy vs. No. 16 West Virginia, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 2: Ole Miss vs. No. 5 North Carolina, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday (Bracket 2)
Game 3: Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Alabama, 3 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 4: No. 6 Texas vs. No. 3 Georgia, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday
Game 5: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 6: G3 winner vs. G4 winner, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Monday
Game 7: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 8: G3 loser vs. G4 loser, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday
Game 9: G5 loser vs. G7 winner, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 10: G6 loser vs. G8 winner 2, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday
Game 11: G6 winner vs. G9 winner, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 12: G8 winner vs. G10 winner, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Thursday
Game 13: G11 winner vs. G11 loser, TBD (ESPN), if necessary
Game 14: G12 winner vs G12 loser, TBD (ESPN), if necessary
College World Series Finals (Best-of-3)
Game 1: Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 2: Sunday, Juben 21, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)
Game 3 (if necessary): Monday, June 22, 7 p.m. (ESPN)