Report: WVU Baseball Ace LHP Ben Hampton Enters Transfer Portal

Ace pitcher Ben Hampton decided to leave the WVU baseball program and enter the Transfer Portal on Monday, per D1 Baseball.

His official Twitter account doesn’t have any posts, and Hampton hasn’t made an announcement regarding his decision yet.

Hampton, a rising senior, will have one year of eligibility remaining when he finds a new home. 

The announcement comes one day after the Mountaineers’ season ended in the Kentucky Regional of the NCAA Tournament.

The left-hander pitched to his best season in a Mountaineers’ uniform this season, logging a 4.45 ERA across 85 innings in 16 starts and striking out 66 batters while allowing 30 walks. 

The announcement leaves the Mountaineers’ rotation depleted, as both Hampton and fifth-year No. 2 starter Blaine Traxel won’t be on the team next season. 

The Mountaineers bounced around trying to find a No. 3 starter for most of the season, so head coach Randy Mazey will need to raid the transfer portal himself to find an established veteran starter or two.

Hampton is the second WVU player to enter the portal, joining pitcher Michael Kilker.