Mountaineers Soar to New Heights: WVU Baseball Climbs to No. 13 in Baseball America’s Final 2025 Top 25 Rankings
By Jonathan K. Martin – June 23, 2025
In a season that captured the imagination of Morgantown and captivated college baseball fans nationwide, the West Virginia Mountaineers etched their names into program lore. On June 23, 2025, Baseball America released its final Top 25 rankings, placing WVU at a program-high No. 13—a testament to a season of unprecedented achievement.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Steve Sabins, a familiar figure elevated from the assistant ranks, the Mountaineers rebounded from a respectable 36–24 finish in 2024 to an astounding 44–16 overall record, including 19–9 in grueling Big 12 play. They also captured the Big 12 regular-season title, their second since joining the conference—and first under Sabins’ leadership.
The journey to No. 13 didn’t stop at league domination. The Mountaineers stormed the Clemson Regional, sweeping past both Kentucky (courtesy of two thrilling one-run victories) and a top-11 Clemson squad. The magic continued as WVU punched its ticket to the Baton Rouge Super Regional, marking back-to-back Super Regional appearances for the first time in school history.
Though their Cinderella run ended at the hands of eventual national champions LSU in Baton Rouge, the Mountaineers’ legacy was already sealed. Baseball America noted: “Their 44 wins and 19 conference victories set new single-season records for West Virginia.”.
Behind the Scenes: Sabins’ Swift Leadership
When WVU appointed Steve Sabins—an Embry-Riddle alumnus and former Oklahoma State assistant—as head coach in June 2024, few predicted such an immediate impact. But Sabins wasted no time instituting a culture of ferocious competitiveness. With a tough‑love mentality cultivated over years on the staff, he both inspired and demanded the best from his players .
Senior infielder Grant Hussey from Parkersburg, WV, and rising stars like junior Sam White and sophomores Armani Guzman and Michael Perazza galvanized teammates, forging an atmosphere of resilience and high aspirations.
The Defining Moments
- Clemson Regional fireworks: A heart-pounding 13–12 thriller over Kentucky capped the sweep that propelled WVU forward.
- Home-field heroics: Kendrick Family Ballpark witnessed its record attendance—4,629 fans on April 2 against Pitt—underscoring the team’s soaring popularity.
- Road warrior mentality: A punishing every-weekend schedule in the Big 12 sharpened WVU’s edge. Their 19–9 conference slate—fuel for rankings voters—laid the foundation for national attention .
Looking Ahead: A Future Forged in Success
As the final rankings landed, WVU found itself inside the Top 15 across multiple polls—No. 13 in Baseball America, No. 14 in D1Baseball, and No. 14 via Perfect Game. Even the USA Today Coaches Poll recognized their breakthrough with a No. 17 placement
This surge isn’t a one-off. With high-profile recruiting wins already rolling in, Sabins looks to build on this watershed campaign. The Mountaineers have established themselves as heavyweight contenders in the Big 12—and now speak confidently of Omaha dreams.
Before the final pitch of 2025 landed, Kevin’s voice echoed through the dugout: “We didn’t come here to be good. We came here to be great.” It is that mindset—a program transformed, expectations redefined—that now echoes far beyond Morgantown.
Season Snapshot
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Record | 44–16 |
| Big 12 Record | 19–9 |
| Head Coach | Steve Sabins (1st year) |
| Big 12 Title | Yes |
| NCAA Super Regionals | 2nd Straight |
| Final BA Ranking | No. 13 |
For Mountain State fans, the final ranking is not a finish line—it’s a launchpad. As WVU prepares to defend its crown, the question is no longer “Can they do it?” but “What heights will they reach next?”
