Kirn opens on the mound for WVU facing Kentucky in Clemson Regional

(WVU Athletics photo)

By James Gravley

The West Virginia Mountaineers are set to face the Kentucky Wildcats in the Clemson Regional Friday afternoon on ESPNU, first pitch scheduled for 12 pm EDT. Tasked to lead the charge on the mound for the Mountaineers is lefthander Griffin Kirn.

According to Matt Schuckman of Muddy River Sports, Kirn is going to get the ball against the Wildcats. Earlier this week, reports were suggesting Mountaineers head coach Steve Sabins was in limbo between Kirn and Jack Kartsonas.

Kirn and Karstonas both joined the Mountaineers this past off-season from the transfer portal. Kirn entered the program from Division II Quincy College, while Karstonas joined from Kent State.

The last time WVU and Kentucky met on the diamond was in 2023, when the Wildcats ended the Mountaineers' season with a 10-0 drubbing. Nine players from that WVU roster remain on the squad and are ready to get another crack for redemption from the Wildcats.

The winner between WVU and Kentucky advances to face the winner of Clemson vs. USC Upstate on Saturday at 6 pm. The losers of those two games meet in a double elimination game on Saturday, early first pitch again at 12 pm EDT.

Leading into the Super Regional round, the Clemson Regional is paired with the Baton Rouge Regional, hosted by No. 6 National seed LSU. The winners of the two regionals face off in Baton Rouge should LSU win, location to be determined by the NCAA if otherwise.

Here is the complete Clemson Regional schedule:

Friday, May 30

Game 1: No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 2 West Virginia, 12 pm EDT, ESPNU

Game 2: No. 11 overall seed Clemon vs. No. 4 USC Upstate, 6 pm EDT, ACC Network

Saturday, May 31

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 12 pm EDT, TBD (elimination game)

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 pm EDT, TBD

Sunday, June 1

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 12 pm EDT, TBD (elimination game)

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m., TBD

Monday, June 2 (If ncessary)

Game 7: Regional championship game, TBD

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