Southern Conference ERA leader Mason Snyder commits to Kentucky

One of the best pitchers in the Southern Conference in the 2026 season is transferring to Kentucky.

Mason Snyder, a right-handed pitcher from Western Carolina University, announced his commitment to the Wildcats on Saturday night. Snyder led the Southern Conference with a 2.64 earned run average and opponents' batting average, which was .194. His outstanding season earned him First-Team All-Southern Conference honors.

Snyder struck out 51 batters over 58 innings of work as a junior. He collected two saves and made all 23 appearances out of the bullpen. In all, he went 7-2 and collected two saves. Snyder struck out 21.8% of batters he faced and walked 9%. He posted a WHIP of 1.05.

A native of Ocilla, Georgia, Snyder had seven outings in which he pitched at least four innings. His season-high in innings was in his first outing of the season against George Washington. Snyder pitched six innings and struck out six while not allowing any earned runs. His first earned run allowed didn't come until his sixth outing of the season. One of those outings in the scoreless streak was against Georgia. He held the Bulldogs to no earned runs over 1.2 innings in a 10-9 victory for Western Carolina.

Snyder began his career at Berry College, a Division III program. He will have one season of eligibility with Kentucky.

He's the third right-handed pitcher to commit to the Wildcats out of the portal. He joins Maryland's Logan Hastings and Rider's PJ Craig.

Snyder is the second commitment to go public for Kentucky on Saturday. Tennessee Tech infielder Owen Lee committed to the Wildcats on Friday night and announced his decision on social media on Saturday afternoon.

Incoming transfer portal commitments (7)

• OF Brody Chrisman* (Akron)
• UTIL JP Peltier (Wright State)
• LHP Kale Hammer (Seattle University)
• RHP Logan Hastings (Maryland)
• RHP PJ Craig (Rider)
• INF Owen Lee (Tennessee Tech)
• RHP Mason Snyder (Western Carolina)

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