West Virginia Baseball Opens Season Against Georgia Southern

Mountaineers look to defend Big 12 title in 2026 opener

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The reigning Big 12 champion West Virginia Mountaineers baseball team will open their 2026 season with a three-game series against Georgia Southern this weekend. The Mountaineers, led by head coach Steve Sabins, will face off against the Eagles, who are picked to finish seventh in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll.

Why it matters

This series marks the start of a new season for the Mountaineers as they look to defend their Big 12 title. West Virginia will be relying on a mix of experienced returners and new faces as they take on a Georgia Southern team that finished 28-31 last year.

The details

West Virginia will send sophomore Chansen Cole to the mound for the Friday opener, while Georgia Southern will counter with Carter DeGondea. On Saturday, the Mountaineers will go with Maxx Yehl, who did not pitch in 2025, while the Eagles will start Thomas Burke. Sunday's finale will feature WVU's Dawson Montesa against Georgia Southern's Chase Davis.

  • The three-game series begins on Friday, February 13th at 6:30 p.m. ET.
  • Game two is scheduled for Saturday, February 14th at 2 p.m. ET.
  • The series concludes on Sunday, February 15th at 11:30 a.m. ET.

The players

Steve Sabins

The head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers baseball team, entering his second season.

Chansen Cole

The sophomore starting pitcher for West Virginia in the Friday opener, coming off a 7-5 season with a 3.39 ERA at Newberry.

Carter DeGondea

The Georgia Southern starting pitcher for Friday's game, posting a 4-1 record and 3.91 ERA last season.

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What they’re saying

“He's about as mature and confident as a sophomore player that I've ever had. Sometimes when a player is coming from a lower level, I feel like they kind of put their toe in the water and figure out like, 'Hey, am I meant to be here? Can I do this?' He's just come in with such conviction and clarity that he's capable. He's really been a pleasant surprise.”

— Steve Sabins, West Virginia Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of the series will gain early momentum as they look to make a push for their respective conference titles in 2026.

The takeaway

This opening weekend matchup between the reigning Big 12 champion Mountaineers and the Georgia Southern Eagles provides an intriguing early-season test for both programs as they aim to build on their 2025 campaigns and position themselves for success in the new year.