WVU's Matt Ineich Named to Brooks Wallace Award Watch List

Sophomore shortstop is one of 100 players recognized by the College Baseball Foundation

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Sophomore Matt Ineich of the West Virginia University baseball team has been named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, released Wednesday by the College Baseball Foundation. Ineich is one of 100 shortstops across Division I to be recognized on the prestigious watch list.

Why it matters

The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the nation's top shortstop, honoring the legacy of the former Texas Tech player. This marks the seventh time a WVU player has been named to the watch list, highlighting the program's continued success in developing elite talent at the shortstop position.

The details

In 10 games this season, Ineich is batting .450 with 10 RBIs and 15 runs scored. He has 5 doubles, 1 triple, and a 1.174 OPS. Defensively, Ineich has committed just 1 error in 40 chances.

  • The Brooks Wallace Award Watch List was released on March 4, 2026.
  • Ineich and the Mountaineers will next take the field tonight, March 4, 2026, against Marshall.

The players

Matt Ineich

A sophomore shortstop for the West Virginia University baseball team.

Brooks Wallace

The former Texas Tech shortstop for whom the award is named, who played for the Red Raiders from 1977 to 1980 and passed away at the age of 27 from leukemia.

Larry Wallace

The co-chair of the Brooks Wallace Award.

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What they’re saying

“'Our staff is excited to get another year started looking for that special player to represent Brooks' Award. We will dig deep to find the personal qualities as well as the physical attributes that best exemplify what we look for in the Brooks Wallace Award winner. It's early but this list is already shaping up to be a competitive race with some big numbers from some new guys and some familiar faces on the list as well.'”

— Larry Wallace, Co-chair of the Brooks Wallace Award (on3.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This recognition of Matt Ineich highlights West Virginia University's continued success in developing elite talent at the shortstop position, as he joins a prestigious list of Mountaineer players who have been named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List over the years.