Photos by Jenny Shephard and Matt Sunday. | WVU fans take over the downstairs while the Mountaineer Meet Up takes place upstairs at Let It Fly.
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HOPE STAYS ALIVE: WVU still shining in Omaha despite first CWS loss

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By Matt Sunday
For WVU, Today

The final score of the West Virginia University baseball team’s second College World Series game may not have been favorable to Mountaineer nation. But if anyone knows anything about WVU after a setback, resiliency and perseverance tend to rise from the ashes for the gold and blue.

As the CWS runs on a double-elimination format, the team is not ready to pack its bags and leave Omaha.

Neither are the Mountaineer loyal. Fans and alumni are making the most of Omaha, catching up between games around the city and basking in the sunny Nebraska weather. Below are scenes around Game 2 (vs. UNC on June 14, 2026) of the Mountaineers’ historic baseball run.

Future Mountaineers

Photos by Jenny Shephard and Matt Sunday | Young Mountaineer fans hold up their signs made at Charles Schwab Omaha Field.

Whether they are eager to become West Virginia Mountaineers or become the Mountaineer, young fans have embraced the Mountaineer spirit in Omaha. Making signs, cheering for video board content, getting autographs from their favorite players — even after a loss, the future of the Mountaineers is in wonderful and capable, young hands.

Around the Grounds

Photos by Jenny Shephard and Matt Sunday | Fans erupt in emotion after a late hit sparks comeback hopes.

The thrill of victory. The agony of defeat. They’re cliches for a reason, and it’s because nothing better describes the roller coaster ride of collegiate athletics fandom quite like the two phrases. Fans weathered both sides of it, and wore each in their emotions like the Flying WV on their gear.

In and out of the Spotlight

Photos by Jenny Shephard and Matt Sunday | Maxx Yehl delivers a pitch as the light passes over the mound.

Evening games in Omaha present a gorgeous and evolving light show as the sun sets behind home plate. A line of light creeps through the stadium’s overhang and works its way across the diamond until most everything is shaded except for disco ball-like pockets around the crowd.

It creates unique opportunities for fans and cameras to see the light — or what the light prohibits you from seeing in the form of silhouettes.

Coonskin Hats and Rally Caps

Photos by Jenny Shephard and Matt Sunday | Mountaineer mascot Reese Allen takes a selfie with twins wearing gold and blue overalls and coonskin caps.

Coonskin hats decorated the Mountaineer-heavy crowd at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. And then the regular ball cap turned superstitious inspiration as the Mountaineers attempted to rally in the 9th inning.

Photos by Jenny Shephard and Matt Sunday | Charles Schwab Field Omaha is a special sight when clouds and color roll in behind home plate.

Read more from WVU, Today, here.

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