LEXINGTON, Ky. (Interstat) — West Virginia visits Kentucky on Saturday, May 30, 2026, for a nonconference matchup pitting two of the nation’s top pitching staffs against each other. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Kentucky Proud Park.

The Mountaineers (40-14) bring a potent offense and a deep rotation to Lexington, while the Wildcats (32-21) look to build momentum from a dramatic win at Wake Forest on Friday.

West Virginia will send right-hander Chansen Cole to the mound. Cole has been dominant over his past four starts, all wins. In his most recent outing Friday against Binghamton, he allowed one earned run on four hits while striking out 10 over six innings in a 10-1 victory. Cole has posted a 2.84 ERA over his last four starts, with 30 strikeouts in 21 innings.

The Mountaineers’ offense erupted for 10 runs Friday, powered by first baseman Armani Guzman (2-for-4, three RBIs) and right fielder Ben Lumsden (2-for-2, home run, three RBIs). West Virginia has won seven of its last nine games, including a three-game sweep at Kansas from May 8-10.

Kentucky counters with right-hander Jaxon Jelkin. The Wildcats’ ace turned in a no-hit performance over six innings at Wake Forest on Friday, but yielded four earned runs due to control issues. He struck out five. Jelkin’s season has been a tale of extremes: He threw 8⅔ innings of two-hit, two-run ball with 12 strikeouts at Florida on May 9, but has also struggled with command in other outings. In his start at Vanderbilt on May 19, he allowed four earned runs in 5⅔ innings.

The Wildcats (32-21) have dropped three of their last five games, including a 16-12 loss to Arkansas on May 16. Shortstop Jackson Soucie provided key relief work Friday, tossing a scoreless inning at Wake Forest.

Saturday’s matchup features two pitchers who can dominate when they command the strike zone. Cole has been the steadier of the two of late, while Jelkin’s no-hit stuff makes him capable of shutting down any lineup.