MORGANTOWN W.VA — Morgantown buzzes with baseball fever as the 2026 NCAA Regional stops in West Virginia for the first time since 2019. Fans from near and far have descended on Kendrick Family Ballpark, turning it into a vibrant baseball hub filled with pride, optimism, and high-stakes excitement. Fans say the energy has been building for weeks and they expect it to only intensify. Read more: Hype, hope & high stakes: fans give perspective on NCAA Regional weekend.
“Really excited and hyped up. Everybody’s really excited to have the regionals back here.” -Lee Vinyard Smith, a WVU fan.
Early morning interviews captured a quieter scene, but fans predicted a massive turnout for the first pitch.
“Right now, it’s a little bit slow. It’s early in the morning,” said J.D. Johnson, joined by fellow fan Landon Delwood. “By the time 5 o’clock comes tonight, this place is gonna be popping… I think it’s gonna break a record.”
Mountaineer confidence soars with strong pitching staff
The duo continued by pointing to the improvement in pitching since the last regional in 2019.
“This year, you’re top 10 ERA in the country,” Johnson noted. “As long as we hit, we shouldn’t have a problem.”
That confidence is shared among the Mountaineer faithful. When asked how far the Mountaineers would go this postseason, the answers came with bold optimism.
Related: Morgantown is buzzing as the ‘Road to Omaha’ runs through West Virginia
” I think so. Yeah, I hope. I sure hope.”
Johnson and Delwood echoed the sentiment: “Hopefully so… most definitely if they play to their full potential. I have faith.”
Even out-of-town visitors are buying into the Mountaineers’ potential. Mike, a baseball enthusiast from the Deep Creek area of Maryland who came with his daughter, made the short trip specifically for the regional.
“I love it. I think it’s going to bring all kinds of revenue to the area,” Mike said. “We get to see high quality baseball all week long… I think they’re built to go deep. There’s definitely a chance they reach Omaha.”
Out of town fans embrace the atmosphere in Morgantown
The regional has drawn supporters from across the participating teams as well. Mark Pogue, a University of Kentucky fan, made the five-hour drive from Lexington — his first visit to Morgantown.
Related: Morgantown Regional action between familiar opponents
“Very hilly, but everything looks very new,” Pogue said of the city. His goals for the weekend are straightforward.
“Hopefully they win the first game, stay in the winners bracket… give West Virginia a good game tomorrow. I’d like to stay more than one night.”
Family ties and friendly rivalry on full display
Meanwhile, Craig Costello traveled from Erie, Pennsylvania, wearing Wake Forest colors but with deep Mountaineer roots. A WVU graduate with two sons on the Wake Forest roster (Luke and Andrew), Costello perfectly embodied the friendly rivalry atmosphere.
“I’m happy for WVU. I’m rooting for the Deacs. I have two boys on the Deacs, but I’m rooting for WVU unless they’re playing the Deacs.”
WVU plays in the second and final game of Friday’s doubleheader, taking on Binghamton at 5 p.m.
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