Mountaineers Cruise to 16-1 Victory Over Columbia

No. 23 West Virginia University baseball team takes series finale against Lions

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The No. 23 West Virginia University baseball team cruised to a 16-1 victory over Columbia on Sunday afternoon at Kendrick Family Ballpark to take the series. Sophomore Matt Ineich hit a grand slam and finished the game with six RBIs, while graduate student Brodie Kresser reached base four times with two hits, two walks, three RBIs and two runs scored. Redshirt junior Maxx Yehl earned the win on the mound, allowing just one run in 6.0 innings while striking out a career-high nine batters.

Why it matters

The win improves West Virginia's record to 10-3 on the season, as they continue their strong start to the 2026 campaign. The Mountaineers are ranked No. 23 in the nation and this victory over Columbia solidifies their position as one of the top teams in college baseball this year.

The details

West Virginia jumped out to an early lead, scoring four runs in the second inning capped by Ineich's grand slam. They added two more runs in the third, one in the fourth, and two in the fifth to pull away. Kresser, Kelly, and several other Mountaineers had strong offensive performances, while Yehl was dominant on the mound.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
  • This was the series finale between West Virginia and Columbia.

The players

Matt Ineich

A sophomore on the West Virginia baseball team who hit a grand slam and finished with six RBIs in the victory.

Brodie Kresser

A graduate student on the West Virginia baseball team who reached base four times, had three RBIs, and scored two runs in the win.

Maxx Yehl

A redshirt junior pitcher for West Virginia who earned the win, allowing just one run in 6.0 innings while striking out a career-high nine batters.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Mountaineers will remain at home for a midweek matchup against Maryland on Tuesday, March 10. First pitch from Kendrick Family Ballpark is set for 2 p.m.

The takeaway

West Virginia's dominant victory over Columbia showcases the strength of their baseball program, as they continue to assert themselves as one of the top teams in the country this season. The Mountaineers' balanced offensive attack and strong pitching performance were key factors in securing the series win.