The energy at Kendrick Family Ballpark never wavered Sunday as West Virginia battled through two elimination games to keep its postseason dreams alive, defeating Wake Forest 10-5 before storming back for an 11-9 victory over Kentucky in the regional final.

With a trip to Monday’s winner-take-all championship game on the line, Mountaineer fans packed the ballpark from the first pitch of the afternoon until the final out under the lights. The crowd responded to every big moment, helping create an atmosphere that felt more like Omaha than a regional.

West Virginia’s day began against Wake Forest, where the Mountaineers found themselves tight early before responding with a three-run second inning. Sean Smith scored on a wild pitch before Tyrus Hall delivered a two-run single that was aided by a Wake Forest error, giving WVU a 3-0 advantage.

The Demon Deacons answered back, cutting into the lead in the third before Matt Conte’s two-run home run in the fourth tied the game at 3-3.

The deadlock didn’t last long.

Smith’s RBI single in the fifth scored Gavin Kelly and put West Virginia back in front. One inning later, the Mountaineers delivered the knockout blow.

West Virginia erupted for six runs in the sixth inning, turning a one-run game into a seven-run advantage. Ben Lumsden started the rally with an RBI double before Armani Guzman, Gavin Kelly and Smith all delivered run-scoring hits. A sacrifice fly from Paul Schoenfeld and a Wake Forest pickoff error added to the damage as WVU sent the crowd into a frenzy and built a commanding 10-3 lead.

Wake Forest managed a pair of late runs, but the outcome had already been decided.

Sean Smith finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Gavin Kelly added two hits and a run scored. Dawson Montesa gave the Mountaineers a strong start on the mound, allowing four earned runs over 7.1 innings while striking out seven. Reese Bassinger closed out the victory and secured West Virginia’s place in the regional final against Kentucky.

If the first game tested the Mountaineers, the second demanded everything they had left.

West Virginia struck quickly against the Wildcats, scoring three runs in the opening inning. RBI opportunities from Smith, Matthew Graveline and Brodie Kresser helped stake the Mountaineers to an early advantage.

Kentucky immediately responded with two runs of its own in the first and tied the game in the second. WVU answered with three runs in the third to regain control and carried a 6-3 lead into the middle innings.

The Wildcats refused to go away.

Kentucky scored once in the third and three more in the fourth, highlighted by a solo home run from projected first-round draft pick Tyler Bell. Another home run from Jayce Tharnish and Bell’s second blast of the evening helped Kentucky take a 9-6 lead entering the ninth inning, leaving West Virginia three outs from elimination.

The Mountaineers had one final response.

With the crowd on its feet, West Virginia loaded the bases and began chipping away. Guzman drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 9-7. Kelly followed with a sacrifice fly to bring the Mountaineers within one. Moments later, a balk brought home the tying run and shifted the momentum completely.

Then came the swing that may define West Virginia’s postseason run.

Schoenfeld launched a three-run home run to right field, turning a one-run deficit into an 11-9 lead and sending Kendrick Family Ballpark into a deafening roar.

The Mountaineers closed out the bottom half of the inning to complete the comeback and cap one of the most memorable days in recent program history.

Guzman finished with two RBIs, Schoenfeld collected two hits and delivered the decisive home run, while Kresser, Lumsden and Hall each contributed key offensive performances throughout the rally. Ben McDougal provided critical relief work, allowing two runs over five innings to keep West Virginia within striking distance before the offense delivered its ninth-inning heroics.

After surviving two elimination games in one day, West Virginia will return to Kendrick Family Ballpark on Monday needing one more win to capture the regional title and continue its march toward Omaha.

For one unforgettable Sunday in Morgantown, however, the Mountaineers proved that their season is far from over