The 2026 College World Series opened with a historic matchup between West Virginia and Troy, marking the first time both programs have ever appeared on the national stage.
A Historic Opening Night
West Virginia arrived in Omaha after a dominant sweep of Cal Poly in the Morgantown Super Regional, outscoring their opponents 29‑3 over two games and securing the top seed in the Big 12.
Troy, despite a modest 32‑29 regular‑season record, earned an at‑large bid and then rattled off six straight victories, highlighted by back‑to‑back wins over the No. 8 national seed Florida.
The game will be televised on ESPN, with a live stream available through the ESPN app and Fubo, giving fans multiple ways to follow the action.
Betting markets have installed West Virginia as heavy favorites, posting a -1.5 run line and a -300 moneyline, reflecting the Mountaineers’ strong pitching staff and recent momentum.
Adding a storyline, Coach Steve Sabins was named the Mike Martin National Coach of the Year, underscoring his impact in just his second season at the helm.
The contest is scheduled for Friday, June 12 at 2 p.m. ET at Charles Schwab Field, the historic venue that has been the Series’ home for decades.