College World Series Preview: West Virginia Mountaineers

The West Virginia Mountaineers conquered many first-time feats in the 2026 season, hosting their first Super Regional for the Morgantown faithful, and of course, making their first program appearance in Omaha.

For Steve Sabins and Co., Morgantown has gained a pedigree for player development, and with two years straight of deep postseason runs for the ‘Eers, well, the proof is in the pudding. After witnessing not just the support the fanbase has given them, but the on-the-field product all season, they’re going to quickly become a fan favorite.

“There is zero doubt that Mountaineer nation will be in full force here in Omaha,” Head Coach Steven Sabins discussed at media day.

This West Virginia team feels like they are built to make a run on the biggest stage in College Baseball. They score in different ways, not relying on one specific aspect; push the envelope on the bases with the willingness to run into an out or two, knowing they will reap the benefits in the runs and pressure they put on opposing teams; and roll out a slew of extremely talented arms with the numbers to back it up.

This Mountaineers pitching staff ranks seventh nationally in ERA with a 3.79, the best remaining in the field. Led by the dynamic-duo in Chansen Cole and southpaw Maxx Yehl, who finished sixth nationally in ERA with his team-best 2.10. If it’s any indication of how good the pair has been, West Virginia is 30-6 when either of them appears in a game, and they combine for a 19-3 decision record.

Cole, over his 17 starts, has accumulated 94 ⅔ innings of work, striking out 106 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, while holding opposing hitters to a .215 average. Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Maxx Yehl has been as, if not more dominant, with his 2.10 ERA over 90 innings with 105 punchouts to 25 walks, a 1.06 WHIP and .219 batting average against.

Behind the two are dominant relievers that the ‘Eers have leaned on all season in Ian Korn and Reese Bassinger, who combined for 126 innings, 119 strikeouts, while neither has above a 3.30 ERA.

Offensively, this team does a little bit of everything, leaning into aggressive base running, going 115-for-141 on stolen bases for the season and going gap-to-gap to drive in runs. Led by one of, if not the best player in the 2027 class, super-utility sophomore Gavin Kelly, who posted a .384/.484/.720 slash line with 21 doubles, three triples, and a team best 17 home runs and 57 RBI.

Paul Schoenfeld has been a treat this season, showing off as one of the best defensive outfielders in the country, backed up by 19 doubles, 50 RBI, and 24 stolen bases of his own. Armani Guzman took his momentum from the 2025 postseason and carried it through 2026, leading the Mountaineers with 38 swipes at a near 93% clip.

It’s easy to love this lineup one through nine. While Kelly is the lone home run threat, six players tallied double-digit doubles this season, and they thrive on creating chaos on the bags and getting the ball in play, striking out at just a 22.8% clip.

This style of play always appeals in the graveyard that is Charles Schwab Field, and between the top-end pitching, great defense, and suffocating style of play, there’s a real argument for Country Roads leading to a National Title.

Players To Watch

UTL – Gavin Kelly

• .384/.484/.720, 21 2B, 3 3B, 17 HR, 57 RBI

OF – Paul Schoenfeld

• .342/.436/.506, 19 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 50 RBI, 24-for-30 SB

UTL – Armani Guzman

• .312/.409/.436, 20 2B, 2 3B, 41 RBI, 38-for-41 SB

LHP – Maxx Yehl

• 17 G (17 GS), 90 IP, 2.10 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 105 K, 25 BB, .219 OPP AVG

RHP – Chanson Cole

• 19 G (17 GS), 94.2 IP, 2.85 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 106 K, 30 BB, .215 OPP AVG

RHP – Ian Korn

• 22 G (3 GS), 70.1 IP, 3.07 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 63 K, 10 BB, .243 OPP AVG