MORGANTOWN — Whether it’s through the upcoming Major League Baseball draft or as a transfer, starting pitcher Ben Hampton will not be returning to WVU next season.
The news was first reported by D1 Baseball late Monday night and a WVU official confirmed it on Tuesday.
Hampton, a lefty from De Pere, Wis., was an all-Big 12 first-team selection this season after finishing 5-3 with a 4.45 ERA. He allowed 92 hits over 85 innings and struck out 66.
Over his three years, Hampton’s career record is 17-11 and he’s pitched 222 innings, which is No. 17 in school history.
WVU tied the school record with 40 wins in a season and finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Big 12.
After getting eliminated by Kentucky in the NCAA tournament on Sunday, WVU manager Randy Mazey said he would begin talking to his players on Monday about next season.
Hampton joins pitcher Michael Kilker — he announced he was transferring during the season — in the portal from WVU.
As of now, the WVU official said, no other WVU players had entered the transfer portal, although the window to enter the portal remains open until July 13.
Hampton is also draft-eligible this season, so it also remains possible he begins a professional career rather than returning to college. The MLB draft is July 9-11, in Seattle.
The Mountaineers will enter next season needing to fill two open spots for starting pitchers.
Blaine Traxel, WVU’s No. 2 starter this season, is out of college eligibility.
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