The 2026 Men’s College World Series opened Friday in Omaha, Nebraska, bringing together two surprising programs that have captured national attention.
West Virginia’s dominant Super Regional performance
West Virginia arrived in Omaha after sweeping their Super Regional against Cal Poly with 12‑2 and 17‑1 victories. Ben Lumsden homered twice and drove in seven runs, while Gavin Kelly, the team’s power hitter, leads the Mountaineers with 17 home runs and 57 RBIs. Armani Guzman added a spark on the bases, stealing 38 of 41 attempts.
Across the bracket, Troy overcame a 30‑loss season to earn a spot in the Series. The Trojans swept two games against the No. 8 national seed Florida, with Jimmy Janicki anchoring the offense — he tops the lineup with 19 home runs and 85 RBIs.
What’s at stake
The winner of the Troy versus West Virginia matchup will advance to face the victor of the Ole Miss versus UNC game, while the loser will meet another eliminated team in a Sunday afternoon elimination contest. Both programs are chasing their first championship, making the stakes especially high for players eager to etch their names into college baseball lore.
The opening day in Omaha was also marked by the presence of ESPN’s coverage, which brought the action to a national audience. Fans in Morgantown, Gainesville, Little Rock, Louisiana and at Coastal Carolina watched the games with anticipation, underscoring the widespread reach of the tournament.