From the Bench: From Baseball Baptism to the World Series, BHS Alum McDougal Talks WVU, Faith, Future
By Jeff Toquinto on July 19, 2026 from Sports Blog
Bridgeport’s Ben McDougal has had a senior year at West Virginia University that provided memories and highlights that will likely outlive the young man. From showing his selfless attitude to being involved in two of the biggest wins in WVU baseball history, the highlights have been plenty.
The biggest for McDougal? It took place in another venue. In fact, it took place in the middle of Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.
“It was about halfway through the season, our FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) has been heavily involved with our team through Reese Bassinger (signed with the Blue Jays),” said McDougal. “Myself and (five other) teammates asked to get baptized, and Reese did that right there on the football field. That was a special memory.
“This baptism is for the rest of my life. My relationship with God will last longer than baseball ever could,” he continued. “It’s important to understand the significance of that moment, even though all of the baseball stuff has been good.”
McDougal’s humbleness will not allow him to say it so I will. The baseball stuff this past year was great. And what makes it even more 
special is how McDougal got to be part of it.
special is how McDougal got to be part of it.
McDougal, who was healing up from a back injury prior to the start of the season, got a flexor strain in his forearm prior to the second game of the season. The injury “shut him down.” In fact, for most of the regular season, McDougal was a spectator as opposed to participant.
His return came on Wednesday, April 8 game against Marshall. He pitched one inning in 12-2 win against the Herd.
“I realized my time would be limited on the mound at best because, at that point, the rotation is usually set in stone. On top of that, it’s hard to crack a rotation that had been dominant,” said McDougal. “Then you add in the fact it’s tough to get consistent, get into a groove after being hurt so long. You need to face batters in live competition to have a better chance to get that back.”
By the time the NCAA tournament had rolled around, McDougal had only pitched 5.2 innings in what was initially shaping out to be a promising senior season. He had been selected as 105 players named to the initial 2026 Watch List for the 21st Annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year
Award. The honor is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball.
Award. The honor is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball.
The lack of innings was more than enough to allow McDougal to very likely be able to redshirt. In fact, WVU Coach Steve Sabins talked about it after McDougal came up as the hero by picking up the win against Kentucky in an elimination game.
“He could have potentially been a medical redshirt,” Sabins said. "But McDougal said, ‘No, I want the ball. I'm able to do this now.’
“I said, ‘Man, it's going to be tough because in order to build up, there's going to be small appearances throughout here,” Sabins continued. “We're winning and the team is pitching well and so for you to get an opportunity, it's going to be probably relatively slim.
“And Ben said, ‘I want to go. I think I can help this team.’ And so, we put it in Ben's hands for what he thought was the best thing for his
career.”
career.”
McDougal, a huge fan of Sabins, respected what his coach was doing.
“He was trying to put my career ahead of anything else. He let me know it was totally my decision no matter what,” McDougal said. “I appreciated how honest he was with me in telling me there was no guarantee for innings so late in the season. He told me if I got an opportunity, and if I struggled, there was no guarantee I would get back in.”
Eventually, McDougal’s decision was made after prayer and after thinking about his teammates. It became clear to him after that.
“The two biggest reasons for my decision involved God being a big part of the process. I prayed about it. He would put me in a position to succeed no matter what,” McDougal said. “… The other reason was watching my teammates this year. I watched those guys work their 
butts off, so I decided I’m going to lay it all on the line in case they would need me.”
butts off, so I decided I’m going to lay it all on the line in case they would need me.”
They would. And without him, there is a chance the team never makes its first-ever appearance in Omaha at the College World Series.
With no room for error and needing to beat Kentucky twice to advance to the Super Regional, McDougal closed out the final five innings in an 11-9 elimination game win for WVU. He gave up three hits and two runs but did not walk a batter and struck out six among his 84 pitches. The solid pitching allowed the Mountaineers to rally from five runs down in the ninth inning for an 11-9 do-or-die win.
How did McDougal feel about what was arguably the most talked-about game in the entire NCAA baseball postseason for 2026?
“It was a big deal, but it is bigger because it was for the team. I don’t want people to look at the game with me on an extra pedestal,” McDougal said. “But to be able to be in a game with a chance to help extend the season and have the coach put you into that position was pretty cool.”
McDougal was not done. Eventually, the Mountaineers would punch their ticket to Omaha and waiting for them was Troy. And in the opening game of the College World Series, McDougal again got called on late. This time, however, it was with the team needing just one out.
The BHS alum entered the ninth inning with WVU leading 7-5. With two down and with Trojans having a runner on base, he faced Sun Belt Player of the Year, Jimmy Janicki. The result? A pop out to earn the save and get WVU its first-ever World Series win.
“I was a bit nervous. You’re on a stage like that you’re going to have a little bit of nerves,” he said. “I took the same mentality with me to the mound that I did against Kentucky and that I have always used whether there are five people watching or 100,000. Thow it over the plate and collect three outs.”
The Mountaineers would eventually fall to North Carolina in Omaha. But McDougal’s decision played a key role in going further than any team in WVU history. A look at his season stats, however, would make you think otherwise.
He finished the year with 14 and a third innings on the mound and 8 and two-thirds of those innings came in the NCAA tournament. He had one win (Kentucky), and one save (Troy) to go along with 13 strikeouts and very solid 3.14 ERA.
Those who know, know the impact – even if McDougal downplays it. What he does not downplay is how much fun it was to be part of the .jpg)
ride, including the phenomenon of the post-game singing of Country Roads after several of the big regional wins in Morgantown being seen by millions across the world.
ride, including the phenomenon of the post-game singing of Country Roads after several of the big regional wins in Morgantown being seen by millions across the world.
“It was unbelievable. You don’t think about it because we do it every single game that we win in baseball, football, and basketball,” McDougal said. “To see it get so much attention, and for the baseball team to shine a light on it, was cool.”
All things being equal, McDougal would have loved to have sang it as the Mountaineers hoisted a national championship trophy. However, he is at peace with how things went, and how things are going, which likely includes the end of his playing career.
“As far is it looks, it’s done unless something crazy happens. What’s odd is I finally feel healthy from the wear and tear, but that’s okay,” he said. “I have got one year of undergraduate studies left and then hopefully I’ll have a chance for physical therapy school (at WVU).”
And after that?
“The goal and dream now is to be a physical therapist. If that situation works and takes me out of state, then that’s what will happen,” he said. “But West Virginia is my home and I’d be happy to work here, and I’d really be happy to be able to make a career in Bridgeport as long as I’m welcome.”
I feel confident you’ll always be welcome in West Virginia and in Bridgeport. After all, once a Mountaineer and an Indian, always a Mountaineer and an Indian.
Editor's Note: In the top photo shows Ben McDougal at Senior Day with, from left, brother Anderson, father Todd, himself, mother Wendy, and brothers Jax and Easton. Next two photos, courtesy of WVU, show McDougal against Kentucky, while the next two are shots against Cal Poly. He's shown at the Super Regional heading toward the bullpen in a photo by Dan Shrensky. Bottom image is of McDougal, third from right, along with teammates and FCA staff during the baptism at Mountaineer Field. Top and bottom photo courtesy of Ben McDougal.
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