The University of Kentucky baseball squad is bound for the 2026 NCAA Tournament’s Morgantown Regional, where it will square off against Wake Forest, the host West Virginia Mountaineers and Binghamton University.
The Regional Lineup
Four teams have been placed together in the regional bracket, each bringing a distinct profile heading into the first round of play.
West Virginia enters the regional with a 39‑14 record under Head Coach Steve Sabins, and its top contributors include infielders Gavin Kelly, Paul Schoenfeld and Sean Smith, while the pitching rotation features Maxx Yehl, Chansen Cole and Ian Korn.
Wake Forest arrives at 38‑19 under Head Coach Tom Walter, relying on a core that features Kade Lewis, Luke Costello, Chris Levonas, Cameron Bagwell and Duncan Marsten.
Kentucky, sitting at 31‑21, is led by Coach Nick Mingione and a lineup that showcases Jaxon Jelkin, Ben Cleaver, Nate Harris, Tyler Bell, Jayce Tharnish, Luke Lawrence and Ethan Hindle.
Binghamton, also 31‑20, is guided by Coach Tim Sinicki and includes Sean Sweeney, Matt Bolton, Tommy Popoff, Conner Griffin and Jackson Mitchell among its key pieces.
First‑Round Schedule
Games are slated to begin on Friday, with Kentucky meeting Wake Forest at noon before West Virginia takes on Binghamton at six in the evening.
Historic Context
Kentucky and West Virginia have met in NCAA regional play three times in the past four years, while the Wildcats have never faced Binghamton before.
The tournament promises a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, with coaches Nick Mingione, Tom Walter, Steve Sabins and Tim Sinicki guiding their squads through a demanding schedule.