GSC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

The Gulf South Conference is primed for postseason play as the 2026 Gulf South Conference Baseball Championship, co-hosted by the City of Oxford, is set to be played Friday, May 1, through Tuesday, May 5, at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.

This season's tournament will feature a new format that begins with two single-elimination games on Friday. The advancing teams are then re-seeded for the six-team double-elimination bracket, which will begin play on Saturday. Of the two teams advancing from Friday's games, the higher-seeded team will be the No. 5-seed, with the other team entering as the No. 6-seed.

Fans looking to follow along can view the bracket and additional championship information here: https://gscsports.org/tournaments/?id=248&path=baseball

Every game of the 2026 GSC Baseball Championship will be streamed live on FloCollege and through the FloSports app. Subscriptions to FloCollege are required and can be canceled at any time. Click here to subscribe. 

Fans who subscribe with a valid .edu email from a GSC institution will be eligible for a discounted rate.

Below, we will take a look at each team (listed by seeds 1-8) as well as key players that will make an impact on the mound and at the plate for each program.

1. University of West Alabama (34-13, 23-10 GSC)

West Alabama is riding a wave of momentum after the team captured the program’s first outright GSC regular-season championship since 2015. The Tigers surged out to a historic 6–0 start and earned a national ranking early in the year, maintaining momentum behind consistent offense and dominant pitching that produced key series wins throughout conference play. Highlight victories included a decisive 9–0 shutout of Alabama Huntsville to clinch the title, part of a season that featured a .744 winning percentage, a 19–4 home record, and double-digit conference series wins against top GSC competition. Overall, West Alabama combined balance at the plate with reliable arms on the mound to establish itself as one of Division II’s most consistent and complete teams in 2026.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Blake Westry, Freshman, RHP

Key Stats: 8-1 | 2.24 ERA | 43 K | .242 BAA

At the Plate: Rashad Robinson, Senior, OF

Key Stats: .325 AVG | 11 2B | 12 HR | 53 R | 20 SB

2. Lee University (34-15, 22-11 GSC)

The Flames leaned on a balanced offensive attack that hit over .290 as a team, complemented by timely power and aggressive baserunning, while the pitching staff delivered a sub-5.00 ERA with several quality weekend starts. Lee had a pivotal series sweep of West Florida as well as winning eight of their last 10 games to close out the regular season. Lee proved to be a tough out throughout the year and positioned itself as a competitive force in the conference landscape.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Evan Bloomer, Sophomore, RHP

Key Stats: 8-0 | 3.87 ERA | 2 CG | 74 K | 83.2 IP

At the Plate: Luke Collier, Redshirt-Junior, SS

Key Stats: .397 AVG | 79 H | 13 2B | 9 HR | 63 RBI | 63 R | 15 SB

3. Mississippi College (28-22, 21-12 GSC)

Mississippi College battled through a competitive 2026 slate, showing resilience against one of the nation’s toughest Division II schedules. The Choctaws were at their best in marquee moments, highlighted by a series win over University of West Florida, including a late-inning comeback victory, and a statement midseason series triumph against Delta State University. Offensively, the Choctaws hit .287 as a team with consistent extra-base production, while the pitching staff delivered timely performances, including multiple complete-game efforts in conference play.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Dylan Cope, Senior, RHP

Key Stats: 20 APP | 5-0 | 3.41 ERA | 3 SV | 20 K | 1.27 WHIP

At the Plate: Will Langston, Freshman, C

Key Stats: .320 AVG | 14 2B | 9 HR | 42 R | .570 SLUG% | 11 CS

4. University of West Florida (35-13, 21-12 GSC)

The Argos delivered another high-level campaign in 2026 while remaining in the hunt for both a conference title and NCAA postseason positioning throughout the spring. West Florida was powered by a potent lineup that hit over .300 as a team and consistently produced in big moment. The regular season schedule was highlighted by an opening weekend sweep of then-No. 6 Florida Southern as well as a key series win over Delta State University and a statement weekend against Valdosta State that solidified their place near the top of the standings. On the mound, the Argonauts combined depth and frontline consistency, posting a staff ERA in the mid-4.00s while delivering multiple clutch performances in tight conference games. After dropping three of their last four GSC series, the Argos are looking to turn things around at the right time heading into the tournament.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Mickey Scheetz, Redshirt-Senior, LHP

Key Stats: 26 APP | 3-1 | 12 SV | 1.13 ERA | 38 K | .260 BAA

At the Plate: Zack Stokes, Grad Student, OF

Key Stats: .419 AVG | .733 SLGU% | .536 OB% | 72 H | 18 2B | 12 HR | 59 R | 43 BB

5. Delta State University (27-19, 20-13 GSC)

The Statesmen were defined by their physical offense, hitting near .295 as a team with 126 extra-base hits, and a pitching staff that delivered in key moments with a sub-4.50 ERA across conference play. Delta State struggled against the top four teams in the standings, but won games when it mattered most, winning six of the last nine GSC contests down the stretch.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Adrian Byrd, Senior, LHP

Key Stats: 7-1 | 1.64 ERA | .99 WHIP | 2 CG | 2 SO | 91 K | .193 BAA

At the Plate: Tucker Jones, Junior, OF

Key Stats: .360 AVG | 62 H | 10 2B | 9 HR | 57 RBI | 29 SB

6. Trevecca Nazarene University (30-19, 19-14 GSC)

Trevecca rebounded from a down year last season to reach the 30-win plateau in 2026, showing clear progress against one of Division II’s deepest leagues. The Trojans were driven by an offense that hit .280 as a team, pairing gap-to-gap consistency with opportunistic power and aggressive baserunning that translated into one of their most productive run-scoring seasons in recent years. On the mound, Trevecca posted a staff ERA in the mid-5.00s but showed growth throughout the spring, with improved strike-throwing and multiple quality weekend starts helping the team stay competitive in tight conference series.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Logan Harrell, Junior, RHP

Key Stats: 7-4 | 1 CG | 1 SO | 83 K | .243 BAA | 79 IP

At the Plate: Cade Martin, Junior, 1B

Key Stats: .429 AVG | 60 H | 12 2B | 14 HR | 46 R | .829 SLUG% | .531 OB%

7. University of Montevallo (27-23, 18-15 GSC)

Montevallo earned a spot in the tournament despite an up-and-down season that saw the Falcons lean on a balanced offensive approach, hitting .280 as a team with steady on-base production and timely extra-base power that translated into consistent run scoring throughout conference play. On the mound, Montevallo posted a staff ERA in the mid-4.00s, anchored by reliable weekend starters and a bullpen that showed improvement in late-game situations, helping secure multiple close victories. Defensively, the Falcons were solid, finishing near a .970 fielding percentage and limiting costly errors in key moments.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Zach Wyatt, Junior, RHP

Key Stats: 7-3 | 3.99 ERA | 1 CG | 1 SO | 85 K | 83.2 IP

At the Plate: Jack Fitzgerald, Redshirt-Sophomore, 1B/OF

Key Stats: .325 AVG | 12 2B | 14 HR | 39 R | 40 RBI | .688 SLUG%

8. University of Alabama Huntsville (21-23, 16-17 GSC)

Alabama Huntsville snuck into the postseason despite a sub-.500 record against GSC foes, showing flashes of competitiveness against a deep league slate. The Chargers were guided by an offense that hit .313 as a team, generating production through situational hitting and occasional power, though consistency proved to be a challenge over the course of conference play. UAH posted a staff ERA of 7.17, with a relatively young rotation gaining experience and a bullpen that showed improvement in the latter half of the season.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Cole Loftis, Senior, RHP

Key Stats: 65.1 IP | 63 K | 25 BB

At the Plate: Taylor Bush, Senior, C/1B

Key Stats: .346 AVG | 14 2B | 6 HR | 37 RBI | 28 BB | .991 FIELD%