Rise and shine.
WVU Baseball issued a playful work excuse out to fans on X/Twitter Thursday in anticipation of the upcoming Game One of the 2026 Morgantown Super Regional between the Mountaineers and Cal Poly. It makes sense, considering this uber-important game is taking place at 12 p.m. on a work day. Have no doubt, though, it will be shoulder-to-shoulder inside and around Kendrick Family Ballpark from the early morning hours and beyond.
On that note, time can certainly play a factor in this series. Saturday’s action is also slated to begin at noon, but at least it will be the second straight matinee game. The situation calls for insight. Read more: Matinee in Morgantown: Super Regional action starts early.Â
There is a good chance someone is chugging a drink, singing Country Roads, and grilling burgers at the time of publication (6 a.m.). After all, this is Christmas morning 2.0 for WVU fans.
WVU track record
For the sake of clarity and consistency, consider matinee games as contests with a 3 p.m. EST or earlier first pitch.
WVU has played nearly 45% of its games before 3 p.m., including 13 of its home affairs. To break it down more;
- 20-6 (.770) overall
- 11-2 at home (regular season)
- 1-0 at home (Regional vs. Wake Forest)
- 8-4 on the road
- 3-1 at home at exactly 12 p.m. (regular & postseason combined)
Needless to say, the Mountaineers fare rather well when the sun reaches its peak.
Cal Poly track record
The Mustangs have only played three games all year in Eastern Standard Time, taking two of three at Campbell in North Carolina to kick off the season. That can play a factor throughout the series, but especially Friday.
Related: Breaking down the Cal Poly Mustangs: what to expect in Morgantown
For this section, go by Pacific Daylight Time.
Cal Poly has played more than 49% of its games before 3 p.m., including 17 of its road/neutral games. To break it down more;
- 19-11 (.633) overall
- 8-5 at home
- 9-6 on the road
- 2-0 neutral sites
- 2-0 overall at exactly 12 p.m.
The Mustangs have a good handle on the time slot, but things change when they find themselves in Morgantown.
Internal clocks
On top of the cross-country travel, Cal Poly has to play WVU on back-to-back days with 9 a.m. PT first pitches. That is brutal.
It worked out the one other time the Mustangs had to play that early, winning 16-5 over Campbell at 10 a.m. PT back on Valentine’s Day. The difference this time? It is a Super Regional, with one of the rowdiest fanbases in college sports, at the tail end of a 60+ game gauntlet. Do not be shocked if it becomes a factor. There is a safe bet it gets mentioned in most broadcasts Friday and beyond.
Tune in
Speaking of broadcasts, tune in to 100.9 FM The Torch or any of its affiliate stations across the John Fredericks Media Network for exclusive radio coverage of the first-ever Morgantown Super Regional. Special pregame programming hits the airwaves well before first pitch before the Learfield coverage kicks into gear.
WV Sports Nation is also your home for live on-site updates and more throughout the weekend. Check it out anywhere listed below;
- wvsportsnation.com
- WV Sports Nation app
- X: _wvsportsnation (in-game updates)
- Facebook: WV Sports Nation
- Tiktok/Instagram: wvsportsnation
Related: WVU Baseball to host first Super Regional; Who else?
Stay up to date for more WVU Athletics coverage.
