A Milestone for Mountaineer Baseball
Gavin Kelly, a senior standout from West Virginia University, has been named to the 28‑player Collegiate National Team that will represent the United States at the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championship in Taichung City, Taiwan
Kelly’s breakout season saw him bat .382 with 19 home runs, driving in 63 runs and scoring 70, while posting a 1.202 OPS and delivering 96 hits — achievements that placed him among the program’s all‑time greats
He is only the second Mountaineer to receive this honor, following JJ Wetherholt’s selection in 2023, underscoring a growing pipeline of talent from West Virginia to the international stage
During training camp, Kelly posted a .250 average with two doubles, four RBI and two runs across eight games, and he saw action at catcher, second base and right field, highlighting his versatility
The championship will run from July 11 to 15, featuring pool play against Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan, followed by semifinals and medal games, promising a compact but intense competition
Coach and teammates alike anticipate that Kelly’s experience and adaptability will add a valuable dimension to the U.S. squad as they aim for podium finishes in their debut tournament