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Whatever jitters West Virginia and Troy might have in make their College World Series debuts should cancel each other out as the first-time participants face off Friday in Omaha.
The Mountaineers (45-15) have been bubbling up on the national scene the last few years, reaching the NCAA super regionals for the first time in 2024 and repeating that success last year. They were the 16th and final national seed this year and survived the first two weekends, including an emphatic sweep of Cal Poly in the supers to reach the CWS for the first time.
Sophomore Gavin Kelly makes the Mountaineers go, following up a solid freshman campaign with a spectacular sophomore year that has seen him hit .384 with a 1.204 OPS, 21 doubles, 17 home runs and 57 RBIs — all team highs. WVU also has a pair of outstanding starters in Maxx Yehl (9-2, 2.10 ERA) and Chansen Cole (10-1, 2.85) who have racked up strikeouts all season.
They'll face a Troy team that serves as the ultimate Cinderella in an upset-filled tournament. The Trojans finished the regular season with a 29-27 record and were the fourth seed in the Sun Belt tournament. After falling to nationally ranked Southern Miss in the final, they earned an at-large bid to the NCAAs and stunned traditional powers Miami and Florida (twice) at the Gainesville regional, then swept fellow upstart Little Rock last weekend.
Sophomore catcher Jimmy Janicki is the player to watch, posting a 1.041 OPS with 24 doubles, 19 homers and 85 RBIs to anchor a powerful Trojans lineup.
It should be a good one as WVU and Troy start the festivities in Omaha. Here's when and where to watch.
Where to watch West Virginia vs. Troy
The West Virginia-Troy CWS opener will be broadcast by ESPN, with Mike Monaco, Eduardo Perez and Ben McDonald on the call.
Fans can stream the game live via the ESPN app or fubo, which offers a free trial so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time is West Virginia vs. Troy today?
- Date: Friday, June 12
- Time: 2 p.m. ET | 1 p.m. CT
The Mountaineers and Trojans are set to open the 2026 College World Series on Friday at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.
College World Series schedule 2026
Friday, June 12
| Game 1: West Virginia vs. Troy | 2 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
| Game 2: North Carolina vs. Ole Miss | 7 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
Saturday, June 13
| Game 3: Alabama vs. Oklahoma | 3 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
| Game 4: Georgia vs. Texas | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
Sunday, June 14
| Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser | 2 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
| Game 6: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
Monday, June 15
| Game 7: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser | 2 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
| Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
Tuesday, June 16
| Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 loser | 2 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
| Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 loser | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
Wednesday, June 17
| Game 11: Game 6 winner vs. Game 9 winner | 2 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
| Game 12: game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
Thursday, June 18
| Bracket 1: Game 11 rematch* | TBD | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
| Bracket 2: Game 12 rematch* | TBD | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
* If necessary
College World Series finals schedule 2026
| Sat., June 20 | Game 1 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
| Sun., June 21 | Game 2 | 2:30 p.m. | ABC, fubo, ESPN app |
| Mon., June 22 | Game 3* | 7 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, ESPN app |
* If necessary
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