DIVISION I TEAM PREVIEWS  |  DAY 7 OF 8

  MID ATLANTIC REGION

With 10 previous Championship Game appearances & 4 overall Champions in North Carolina (’07), East Carolina (’11 & ’17) and Virginia Tech (’21), the Mid Atlantic Region can be debated as the Region with the most depth top to bottom.

Has their been a better NCBA rivalry in recent years than East Carolina & Virginia Tech? These two juggernauts have been involved in many epic battles, as they’ve traded off Regional Titles the last 4 years. Virginia Tech took home the ’25 title, as they went a perfect 3-0 on the weekend after entering as the bottom seed.

James Madison & NC State entered the Regional last year as the #1 & #2 seeds after beating out both ECU & VTech during conference play. NC State ultimately went 1-2 while James Madison fell in the final to the Hokies.  All 4 schools from last years postseason return at least 17 guys from their ’25 roster.

William & Mary has finished at or above .500 the last 3 years, as they should not be overlooked.  North Carolina & Elon have both had recent success in years past, as they also look to get back on track in ’26.  Last but not least, Virginia looks to build off a ’25 season that yielded more conference wins than the previous 2 years combined. The Cavaliers return an impressive 21 guys from last year as they look to keep the momentum going.

Be sure to check all the Mid Atlantic Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 Region a day through this Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division I Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 22nd!

Congratulations to Caden Colangelo on being elected as the NCBA DI Rules Committee Teams Representative!

Should any Division I Team have a rule that they would like added, removed or modified, they can email Caden at [email protected].  Caden will save your suggestion and present it on your behalf at the annual Rules Committee Meeting this summer. Caden has been around club baseball for many years and will be a great advocate for the Division I Teams.

View Caden’s bio HERE to learn more about him!

DIVISION I TEAM PREVIEWS  |  DAY 6 OF 8

  GULF COAST REGION

The Gulf Coast Region kicked off the NCBA’s inaugural 2001 season with a World Series Champion in the University of Texas.  Fast forward a year & it was Texas A&M’s turn taking home the prestigious honor giving the Gulf Coast two in a row.  Texas A&M’s runner up finish the following year in 2003 was unfortunately the last Championship Game appearance for the Region.  The Aggies hold the record of most WS appearances with 9, followed by Texas with 4, Texas Tech & LSU both with 2 followed by Arlington Baptist & Texas State each with 1.

Arlington Baptist was the team to beat in 2025.  After winning their 1st ever conference title, they secured the #1 seed at the Regional.  The Patriots went a perfect 3-0 on the weekend to punch their ticket to Alton.  While their 0-2 finish wasn’t what they planned, they return 17 guys from last years squad in hopes of another run in ’26.

Texas A&M returns 12 players from their ’25 Regional 2nd place finish.  The Aggies were Regional Champs the year prior, as they set their eyes on a return trip in ’26.

The other two ’25 Regional qualifiers, Auburn & Alabama, are both looking to make their 1st ever World Series appearances in ’26.  Alabama returns 20 players from last years squad, including 4 selected to All Region teams.  Auburn brings back 22(!) players, including 6 former All Region & 1 All American winners.

Be sure to check all the Gulf Coast Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 Region a day through this Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division I Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 22nd!

DIVISION I TEAM PREVIEWS  |  DAY 5 OF 8

  NORTHERN PACIFIC REGION

Home to 4 previous World Series Champions – Weber State (2003), Utah State (2012 & 2014) & Oregon (2015) – the Northern Pacific Region has consistently produced competitive clubs throughout the NCBA’s 25 year history.  Most recently, the Region has belonged to Oregon & Utah State. The Ducks are your 2x defending champs, while the Aggies won the 2 years prior to that.

The East Conference competed this past Fall to get a head start due to their Spring weather, as Utah State (3-0) & Boise State (3-0) both currently sit atop the standings.  Boise is looking to build off their 2025 campaign, as the Broncos were 1 win away from a Regional Championship & World Series appearance.

Out in the West, Oregon looks to bring home their 3rd straight Regional title. The Ducks return 13 players from this past year as they gear up for another run at the World Series in Alton.  After a 1-2 performance at the Regional last year, Oregon State returns 14 players from their 2025 roster as they set their eyes on their 1st World Series appearance since 2019.

Be sure to check all the Northern Pacific Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 Region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division I Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 22nd!

DIVISION I TEAM PREVIEWS  |  DAY 4 OF 8

  GREAT LAKES REGION

The Great Lakes Region is the biggest Region throughout all 3 NCBA Divisions, as it features 21 schools across it’s 3 conferences.  While Michigan has been the class of the Region the last 4 years (3 World Series appearances), expect plenty of fireworks this Spring after what we saw this past Fall.

Central Michigan (2-1), Michigan State (4-2) & defending Champ Michigan (2-1) all sit atop the North standings while Adrian is just one game back.  ’25 Regional qualifiers Purdue & Indiana look to get back on track this Spring.

Down in the South, Cincinnati leads the way with a 4-1 record after the Fall. Pittsburgh & Miami (OH) are close behind, while the school to watch very well may be West Virginia. The Mountaineers are brand new to Division I after an impressive run down in Division II.

Out in the West returning Regional qualifier Wisconsin (6-3) is back atop the standings after falling a game short of the World Series last year.  Another school to watch are the Eagles from UW La Crosse. Fresh off their 2025 Division II World Series title, they sit in 2nd at 4-2 & look to make another splash this Spring.

Be sure to check all the Great Lakes Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 Region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division I Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 22nd!

DIVISION I TEAM PREVIEWS  |  DAY 3 OF 8

MID AMERICA REGION

The Mid America Region has been wide open in recent years.  2025 marked the 4th different school in 4 years to win the Regional Championship.  The Region is filled with depth featuring multiple schools with previous World Series success, led by 6x Champion Colorado State (’04-’06, ’08-’10).  Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State & Nebraska have all made World Series appearances since ’19.  Most recently, 2025 belonged to the Creighton Bluejays.  A former Division II club, Creighton barely cracked .500 in their 1st year in Division I the year prior.  Led by President Jack Frost, the Jays won a ’25 conference title & double dipped Colorado State to take home the Regional Title to punch their ticket to Alton. Their magical run ultimately came to an end at the hands of 3x reigning Champ Penn State in the Nat’l semi’s.

Can Creighton repeat?

Be sure to check all the Mid America Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 Region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division I Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 22nd!

DIVISION I TEAM PREVIEWS  |  DAY 2 OF 8

SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION

Heading into the 2025 season the Florida State dynasty was in full effect. The Seminoles were not only 3x defending Regional Champions, they claimed the World Series Title in 2022.  Fast forward to 2025 & it appeared the Noles were on course to clinch their 4th straight World Series appearance after snagging the #1 seed heading into the Regional.  Enter Clemson, the #4 seed who needed the At Large bid just 5 days prior just to qualify. The Tigers did the unthinkable & upset Florida State by a 7-4 score in the 1st round. The rest is history as Clemson went a perfect 3-0 on the weekend, taking down Tennessee in the Championship punching their ticket to Alton.  After an opening round victory at the World Series, Clemson ultimately fell in their next two games to cap off a tremendous 2025 campaign.

Can Clemson top last years performance? Who will stand in their way? 

Be sure to check all the South Atlantic Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 Region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division I Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 22nd!

DIVISION I TEAM PREVIEWS  |  DAY 1 OF 8

SOUTHERN PACIFIC REGION

UC Santa Barbara went on a magical run the final month of the 2025 season. After finishing 2nd in their conference & needing the At Large bid to squeak into the Regional Playoff, they made the most of their opportunity. The Gaucho’s held off Grand Canyon in the Regional Championship & punched their ticket to their 1st World Series since 2011. Their season came to an end in the semi’s after an impressive 3-2 week down in Alton.

Does UCSB have another run in them?

Be sure to check all the Southern Pacific Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 Region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division I Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 22nd!

Deadline to apply is Wednesday Dec. 17th.