High School Football

Mountaineers earn hosting rights for regional round of the NCAA Tournament

Steve Sabins speaks with Wren Baker

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — For the first time since 2019, NCAA Tournament baseball games will be played at West Virginia University. The Mountaineers were announced as one of 16 hosts for the regional round of the tournament, which will begin Friday. Play will continue throughout the weekend, with an “if necessary” game slated for Monday, June 1.

The 64-team bracket will be announced Monday at noon on ESPN2.

West Virginia (39-14) finished in second place in the Big 12 standings, one game behind league champion Kansas. WVU’s 21 conference victories set a program-best mark in Big 12 play. The Mountaineers fell to the Jayhawks, 9-0 Saturday evening in the Big 12 Tournament title game. West Virginia joins Kansas as a regional host.

Sean Smith (11) pumps his first after hitting a home run against Kansas Jayhawks. (Photo/Topeka Courier-Journal)

WVU entered conference championship week ranked ninth in the D1Baseball.com national poll. Entering Sunday, the Mountaineers checked in at No. 17 in the NCAA RPI. WVU will enter the NCAA Tournament with 11 victories in their last 13 games. The Mountaineers own a 16-6 record this season at Kendrick Family Ballpark.

West Virginia has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive seasons and they advanced to super regional play in 2024 and 2025.

In addition to WVU and Kansas, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Southern Mississippi, Texas, Texas A&M and UCLA have been selected as regional hosts.

Full NCAA Release





More Sports

Sports
Greenbrier East ends East Fairmont's 68-game winning streak, takes Class AAA crown, 1-0
Ava Workman's gaol in the 42nd minute allowed GEHS to take their first girls soccer state title.
November 7, 2026 - 4:13 pm
Sports
Irish make Clark's early goal hold up in 1-0 win against Frankfort to repeat as Class AA-A state champion
Caleb Clark scored less than 9 minutes in and Huntington St. Joseph's defeated the Falcons to finish on top again.
November 7, 2026 - 3:58 pm
Sports
Bridgeport completes Class AAA title defense with 3-1 win over Nitro
The Indians scored three unanswered goals to complete an undefeated season.
November 7, 2026 - 1:19 pm
Sports
Twice as nice: Wheeling Central defeats Lincoln 2-0 for second straight state championship
Loni Kusic scored twice to give her 45 goals this season, and the Maroon Knights topped the Cougars in the title game a second straight season.
November 7, 2026 - 1:17 pm