No. 15 WVU Baseball (32-12, 16-8) sits four games behind first-place No. 7 Kansas (37-12, 20-4) in the Big 12 Conference standings with less than two weeks left in the regular season. The Mountaineers have a chance to make a last ditch effort to catch up when they travel to Lawrence, Kansas for a three-game series. Read more: Series of the season incoming: No. 15 WVU lays it on the line at No. 7 Kansas.
WVU is surely hoping for a better outcome than the last time the two squads faced off, with the Jayhawks sweeping Senior Day weekend in Morgantown in 2025.
The penultimate series of both teams’ respective regular season campaigns has conference and overall implications aplenty.
Where the Mountaineers stand
WVU is coming off a 7-2 win over Marshall in Charleston Tuesday, with Gavin Kelly leading the way with two home run shots. The win secured a season sweep of the in-state rival Thundering Herd.
Related: No. 15 WVU Baseball picks up 7-2 win over Marshall in Charleston
Tuesday’s triumph was preceded by a much-needed sweep of Kansas State to stay alive in the race for a regular season title. With a four-game win streak, momentum is brewing for the old gold and blue.
WVU’s defense has improved amidst the streak, as the four games prior (WVU went 1-3) featured the Mountaineers allowing 23, 5, 5, and 5 runs respectively. In the past four games, three contests featured defensive outings where WVU allowed two or less runs.
Mix the recent defensive success with a team-wide batting average of .308, WVU sits in a good spot.
Ideally, WVU needs a series win over Kansas to have a chance to extend its regular season reign. Two of three would be great, a sweep would turn the tide immensely.
Head Coach Steve Sabins has the opportunity to pick up his first head coaching victory against KU.
The Mountaineers hold a winning record over KU since 2013, leading the overall series, 22-17.
This Jayhawks squad is something else this year, though.
About the opponent
The University of Kansas first fielded a varsity baseball team in 1880.
Over its 146-year history, the program has made one trip to the College World Series and six overall NCAA Tournament appearances. The Jayhawks are searching for their first regular season conference championship in 77 years. It would be their fourth overall (1922, 1923, 1949).
KU is coming off an upset 9-8 road loss to Creighton Tuesday, falling in a 13-inning marathon. The loss ended an impressive 10-game win streak. The Jayhawks, despite the loss, have still won eight straight Big 12 contests.
Kansas is led offensively by junior Tyson LeBlanc. The Louisiana native tops the team in batting average (.337), RBI (50), HR (16), and is tied for most triples (3).
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One of the hidden gems in the lineup WVU pitchers must watch out for is Jordan Bach. Not only does Bach hold a respectable .305 BA and tout 12 doubles on the year, his plate discipline is his best asset. The graduate student-athlete leads the squad with 44 walks, holding a .908 OPS rate.
Turning the page to the defensive side of the matter, pitching is up-and-down. Both pitchers with 12+ starts in 2026 have ERAs of 5.47 and 6.52, respectively. The pair, Mathis Nayral and Dominic Voegele, have still combined for a solid 9-4 record.
The bullpen is where the pitching staff shines, though. Boede Rahe, for example, holds a 4.15 ERA through two starts and 19 relief appearances. He leads the team with seven saves, pairing well with a 5-1 posting.
In the field, WVU can target the aforementioned LeBlanc. If he is anywhere on the field defensively, it can be a liability for the Jayhawks. LeBlanc leads the squad with 11 errors.
Overall, it makes for a sturdy matchup and KU is undoubtedly the toughest team WVU will face all year. At least, until the postseason.
Tune in
The biggest series of the season across the entire Big 12 takes place Friday-Sunday in Lawrence, Kansas. Action from Hoglund Ballpark gets underway Friday, with scheduled first pitch times (EST) listed here;
- Friday 7 p.m.
- Saturday 3 p.m.
- Sunday 12 p.m.
Tune in to 100.9 FM The Torch or any of its nine affiliate stations across the John Fredericks Media Network for play-by-play coverage of WVU Baseball. ESPN+ carries the TV broadcast.
Stay up to date with WV Sports Nation for more WVU Athletics coverage.
