Mountaineers Seek Redemption: West Virginia Faces Kentucky in Clemson Regional Opener
— The West Virginia Mountaineers are poised for a rematch against the Kentucky Wildcats in the opening game of the 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament’s Clemson Regional. Scheduled for Friday at 12:00 p.m. EST, the game will be broadcast on ESPNU. This matchup holds significant weight for the Mountaineers, who are eager to avenge their previous postseason loss to Kentucky.
In the 2023 NCAA Tournament’s Lexington Regional, West Virginia was eliminated by Kentucky with a decisive 10–0 defeat. The Wildcats’ pitching staff, led by Austin Strickland, Magdiel Cotto, and James McCoy, combined for a seven-hit shutout, ending the Mountaineers’ season prematurely .
Since that loss, West Virginia has made significant strides. Under first-year head coach Steve Sabins, the Mountaineers secured their third consecutive NCAA Regional appearance, marking a program record with 41 wins and clinching the Big 12 Conference regular-season title . The team boasts a potent lineup, with six players hitting above .300, including senior Kyle West, who leads with a .354 batting average and 10 home runs. On the mound, left-handed pitcher Griffin Kirn has been a standout, posting a 3.32 ERA and 92 strikeouts, highlighted by a complete game victory in the Big 12 Championship quarterfinals .
Kentucky enters the regional as the No. 3 seed, finishing the season with a 29–24 record and a 13–17 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Despite a challenging season, the Wildcats are determined to make a deep postseason run. Senior Cole Hage has been a key contributor, leading the team in batting average (.317), home runs (12), and stolen bases (14) .
The winner of Friday’s game will advance to face the victor of the Clemson vs. USC Upstate matchup, while the loser will enter an elimination game on Saturday. With both teams eager to prove themselves, this regional opener promises to be a compelling contest.
As the Mountaineers prepare to face the Wildcats, the memory of their previous postseason defeat serves as motivation. West Virginia is determined to rewrite their regional history and make a strong push toward the College World Series.
Stay tuned for updates and coverage of the Clemson Regional as the Mountaineers embark on their postseason journey.
