By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
The West Virginia baseball program is coming off another impressive season that ended in the Super Regional with a series sweep to the LSU Tigers.
WVU finished the season 44-16 in Steve Sabins first year at the helm.
And now adding some top talented transfers, the Mountaineers are cresting to a 50-win season, which I do believe they will accomplish in 2026. But, like most seasons; it will come down to the pitching.
Guys like Dawson Montesa who was spectacular in 2025 in DII will be looking to bring the same results to WVU in 2026. Andrew Middleton, who transferred in from UMass is also recovering from Tommy John surgery, but is also expected to make a run at the rotation even with missing fall camp.
Not only that, but West Virginia, while under Sabins, now has five incoming freshman ranked inside the Top 35 of the Big 12 heading into 2026.
With that, two of West Virginia’s incoming transfers have been ranked inside the top eight of the Big 12.
Those two players are catcher Matthew Graveline and outfielder Sean Smith. Earlier this offseason, I rated my top five incoming transfers for the baseball program with Graveline coming in at number three and Smith coming at number five.
According to 64Analytics, Graveline is the third best incoming Big 12 transfer while Smith is rated as the eighth best incoming Big 12 transfer.
Also, Sean Smith, who transferred to WVU from Georgia Southern is key addition to the offense and the defense for this Mountaineer team. This past season with the Eagles he had nine homers and 36 RBI while posting a batting average of .352.
Smith will be facing his former team in Georgia Southern in February. It is a three-game series on the road. The Eagles finished last season 28-31 and missed the postseason.
This series should be a clean sweep going into a tough series on the road in Lynchburg, VA against the Liberty Flames.
The Flames went 30-27 last season, but unlike GA Southern, they have a talented offense that will give this young pitching staff for WVU fits. Do not be surprised if WVU walks away with just one win this series. Liberty should compete and make a run for the postseason this season.
Record prediction after two three-game series: 4-2
Photo: Mitchell Northam / WVSN
