West Virginia Baseball Adds Two Top Transfer Pitchers for 2026

West Virginia University's baseball program, led by head coach Steve Sabins, is aggressively rebuilding its pitching staff through the transfer portal following a 2025 season that ended with a sweep by LSU in the NCAA Super Regional. The Mountaineers have secured commitments from standout pitchers including Ian Korn, the 2024 NCBWA Division II National Pitcher of the Year from Seton Hill, who posted an 11-2 record with a 1.81 ERA, and Owen Puk, a right-hander from FIU with MLB connections through his brother AJ Puk. Additionally, Division II pitcher Chansen Cole and others are competing for starting roles to fill the significant gaps left by graduating or transferring weekend starters such as Griffin Kirn and Gavin Van Kempen. The transfer portal remains open until July 1, allowing Sabins and staff to continue pursuing talent to strengthen the rotation and bullpen ahead of the 2026 season. Korn expressed enthusiasm about joining a program committed to competing for championships, underscoring the coaching staff's success in attracting high-caliber players. The Mountaineers hope these transfers will help address pitching deficiencies and build on recent postseason success.