WVU readies Cole as Super Regional showdown begins

WVU prepares – West Virginia met the media Thursday inside Kendrick Family Ballpark, less than 24 hours before its best-of-three NCAA Super Regional against Cal Poly begins Friday at noon. With Chansen Cole set to start Game 1 after a strong Morgantown run and a patient mind

GRANVILLE, W.Va. — Less than 24 hours before West Virginia’s best-of-three NCAA Super Regional series against Cal Poly begins at noon Friday, the Mountaineers were on the field again Thursday inside Kendrick Family Ballpark.

The mood was bright, but it was also focused. The Morgantown Regional that carried the team forward came with the kind of late-game drama that leaves you alert—WVU finished it by defeating Wake Forest. then beating Kentucky twice to advance. Now. with another step on the line. West Virginia is trying to make sure the next game doesn’t feel like a blur.

Head coach Steve Sabins spoke after practice about what the week had been built for. The Mountaineers met the media Thursday after a practice session, with the series against Cal Poly set to begin Friday. Sabins said his players are in a good spot going into Game 1. noting that they got rest from recovery and that the emphasis has been on being prepared through their process.

“I think guys are in a good position,” Sabins said. “They got some rest from recovery today, they’ll check into the hotel. It was just trying to be really good with our process this week so we can be prepared to play tomorrow.”

Sabins then confirmed the decision that carries the first swing of the series with it: right-hander Chansen Cole will start Game 1 for the Mountaineers.

Cole has already been the kind of starter West Virginia needed during the Morgantown run. In the opener of the Morgantown Regional against Binghamton, he pitched six innings, struck out 10 batters, gave up four hits, and allowed one earned run.

Sabins said there was serious consideration behind putting the sophomore starter back on the mound—especially because Cole also pitched in the deciding win against Kentucky late Monday.

“Chansen Cole is going to start Game 1 for us, and then after that, it will be TBD,” Sabins said. “I think the situation, win, lose, draw, how many innings, and who you need to use in order to win the game is important (to how we will proceed).”

The Mountaineers’ approach isn’t just about who starts. It’s about how they stay controlled when the moment spikes.

Shortstop Matthew Ineich made that clear when he talked about the mindset ahead of the weekend’s spotlight. He described the need to take the game “one pitch at a time,” even with the noise and pressure that come with postseason baseball—whether the crowd is roaring or the stadium feels quiet.

“You have to take it one pitch at a time and keep your mind in the right spot in order to compete. ” Ineich said. “You know. even if the crowd is screaming at the top of their lungs and there’s 4. 500 of them. or if there’s. you know. 100 people in the crowd and it’s dead silent. it’s the same mentality.”.

Cal Poly arrives with its own momentum and a first-time Super Regional stage it will be determined to own. The Mustangs enter with a 39-22 record and are the Big West Conference champion. This is West Virginia’s opponent appearing in a Super Regional for the first time.

Cal Poly was the No. 3 seed in the UCLA Regional, and it won the tournament by going 3-0. That run included one win over Virginia Tech and two wins over Saint Mary’s. Over those three games, Cal Poly outscored its opposition 25-5.

On the field, West Virginia will have to navigate key performers. Ryan Tayman leads the Mustangs with a .362 average, 18 home runs, and 56 RBI. In the back end, closer Nick Bonn has 17 saves over 27 appearances.

Off the field, the weekend is set up to feel big from the start. A sellout crowd is expected, and the game is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2.

West Virginia President Michael Benson and Athletic Director Wren Baker confirmed Thursday that a fan-friendly viewing set-up on the hill above Kendrick Family Ballpark—now known as “Randy’s Ridge” in commemoration of longtime WVU coach Randy Mazey—will be hosted throughout the weekend. The expectation is that thousands of fans will sit outside to watch the Mountaineers play.

For Sabins and his players, the noise is part of the background. The goal remains straightforward: play sound baseball and advance.

“I think it can turn into a pretty quick boxing match, depending on how the game’s going,” Sabins said. “But I think just going into the game, trying to win the first pitch, being competitive, and making plays. The goal is just to take a deep breath, and go play clean baseball.”

WVU West Virginia Mountaineers Cal Poly Super Regional NCAA baseball Chansen Cole Matthew Ineich Steve Sabins Kendrick Family Ballpark ESPN2 Randy’s Ridge Michael Benson Wren Baker