MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team opens the 2025 season with a four-game series at Jacksonville, Feb. 14-16, from John Sessions Stadium. The series gets started on Friday at 6 p.m. before a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Fans can watch all four games on ESPN+ and follow with live stats at WVUsports.com.
 
It will mark the beginning of the Steve Sabins era as he takes the reigns from 12-year skipper Randy Mazey, who retired after last season after going 372-274 during his tenure with the Mountaineers. Sabins has been on the WVU staff since 2016 and has been an integral part to West Virginia's recent success.
 
Senior Griffin Kirn will get the ball to begin the season for the Mountaineers. The left-hander transferred to WVU this season after three standout seasons at Quincy University where he was the 2024 GLVC Pitcher of the Year after going 8-1 with a 2.96 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 82.0 innings.
 
Returning pitchers, juniors Robby Porco and Gavin Van Kempen, will make the starts in the Saturday doubleheader while Sunday's pitcher is still to be determined. Porco went 2-1 last season in limited action while Van Kempen finished 7-1 with a 3.14 ERA and 35 strikeouts, helping him earn NCBWA Preseason All-America honors entering this season.
 
Pitching Probables (2024 Stats)
LHP Griffin Kirn (8-1, 2.96 ERA, 100 K, 27 BB, 82.0 IP at Quincy) vs. RHP Richard Long (8-2, 3.80 ERA, 62 K, 28 BB, 83.0 IP)
RHP Robby Porco (2-1, 8.71 ERA, 11 K, 17 BB, 10.1 IP) vs. RHP Blake Barquin (2-5, 6.56 ERA, 48 K, 33 BB, 71.1 IP)
RHP Gavin Van Kempen (7-1, 3.14 ERA, 35 K, 14 BB, 28.2 IP) vs. Collin Rothermel (7-3, 5.37 ERA,  70 K, 40 BB, 63.2 IP at Nova Southeastern)
TBA vs. Garrett Corbett (0-0, 8.38, 7 K, 12 BB, 9.2 IP)
 
West Virginia is coming off a 36-24 season and an NCAA Super Regional appearance for the first time in program history. WVU also went 19-11 in the Big 12 to finish in fourth, the same spot it was slotted into in the 2025 Preseason Coaches' Poll, the highest predicted finish since joining the league.
 
The Mountaineers return 22 players from last year's squad including junior catcher Logan Sauve, who was recently named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team. Senior Kyle West and junior Sam White also return for WVU after earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2024 as does senior Grant Hussey and his 37 career home runs, the most in program history.
 
On the mound, West Virginia brings back a multitude of arms including juniors Carson Estridge, Van Kempen, and Porco, as well as sophomores Joseph Fredericks and Chase Meyer, all of whom are expected to play big roles for the Mountaineers this season.
 
Transfers Jace Rinehart, Chase Swain, Tyler Hutson, Reese Bassinger, Ben McDougal, Jack Kartsonas, and Kirn all bring a wealth of experience to the Mountaineers as well.
 
Led by head coach Chris Hayes in his 9th year, Jacksonville is coming off a 27-31 season. The Dolphins finished fifth in the ASUN with a 19-12 record before bowing out of the ASUN Tournament after pool play.
 
Jacksonville was picked to finish fifth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches poll, behind Stetson, FGCU, Austin Peay, and Lipscomb. Senior pitcher Richard Long was named the ASUN Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
 
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