Hot Springs Showdown: 2026 GAC Baseball Tournament Preview

The regular season drama has concluded, and the road to the GAC Championship now runs straight through Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Starting Thursday, April 30th, the Great American Conference Tournament kicks off a two-bracket double-elimination format, plateauing to a best-of-3 series the following weekend, May 8-10, hosted by the highest remaining seed. This year’s field promises a clash of contrasting styles, from power-alley sluggers to defensive maestros. Fans can follow the action on the 2026 GAC Tournament Central, watch live on GAC Athletics YouTube, or track live stats on StatBroadcast.

All tournaments available on https://www.diviibaseball.com/conf-tournament-hub

Bracket:

Bracket from greatamericanconference.com

Bracket 1: The Power House

This bracket is stacked with the GAC’s premier offenses and promises a high-scoring marathon. With UAM’s Camden Tanner and SEOSU’s Carter Olson and JJ Bush leading the charge, expect plenty of firepower.

#1 Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (31-16, 25-8 GAC | L1)

The Boll Weevils, led by GAC Coach of the Year John Harvey. didn't just win the GAC; they did it with a statistical juggernaut of an offense, leading the conference in Batting Average (.322), Runs per Game (9.0), and On-Base Percentage (.428). Their most feared hitter is GAC Player of the Year Camden Tanner (OF), who carries a scorching .451/.524/.811 slash line, complemented by 14 HR and 54 RBI. He is supported by Eli Marvin (1st Team All-GAC), the team’s leader in RBI (57), while Daniel Lizarraga and Darcy Barry (1st Team All-GAC) inject elite speed into the lineup with 21 stolen bases apiece. When the game is on the line, UAM relies on closer John White (1st Team All-GAC), who has put together a stellar 7-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and 6 saves over 33 innings.

#4 Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm (28-19, 19-14 GAC | W2)

The Savage Storm brings the most explosive power profile to the tournament, leading the GAC in Home Runs (95) and Slugging (.548), which translates to a massive average of 8.6 runs per game. The formidable Carter Olson (1st Team All-GAC) and JJ Bush (GAC Newcomer of the Year) are the "Bash Brothers," tied for the conference lead with 19 HR each. Olson is the primary run producer with 64 RBI, while Bush hits for a slightly higher clip at .363. Adding to this firepower is Ryan Kirk (1st Team All-GAC) with another 15 home runs. On the base paths, Isaac Villa (2nd Team All-GAC) has swiped 22 stolen bases on the season. This slugging lineup also sees all four mentioned hitters having 10+ doubles. For late-inning leverage, look for Brock Zimmer (2.61 ERA, 3 saves) and Cody Pfeffer (2.73 ERA, 2 saves) to be reliable relief arms.

#5 Southern Arkansas Muleriders (25-22, 17-16 GAC | W1)

The Muleriders’ strength lies firmly on the mound, where they rank 2nd in the GAC in strikeouts (357) and are tied for 3rd in ERA (5.25). Offensively, Wyatt Fielding (UTIL - 2nd Team All-GAC) is the pure hitter, leading SAU with a .385 AVG and 15 doubles. He’s joined by Preston Smith, who has tallied 9 doubles, 8 triples, and 8 home runs. Eli Hutcherson is the staff ace, boasting a 4-3 record with a 3.52 ERA over 53.2 IP while holding opponents to a .243 batting average against. Caleb Sollars (2nd Team All-GAC) anchors the back end of the bullpen, leading the team with 3 saves and a 1.50 ERA over 24 innings.

#8 East Central Tigers (20-25, 16-17 GAC | L2)

The Tigers are the potential surprise of this bracket, as their seed belies their offensive capabilities, ranking 2nd in the GAC in Team AVG (.308). If they can manufacture a lead, they are a threat to anyone in the field. Max Tremblay (OF) is the offensive engine, hitting .378 with 40 RBI. Setting the table is Tyler Akers (OF - 2nd Team All-GAC & All-Defensive Team), who hits .364 and leads the team with 53 runs scored along with 19 stolen bases. The Tigers rely on Ryan Dembroski as their mound anchor, who has thrown 55 innings with a 5.07 ERA.

Bracket 2: The Grind

This bracket is shaping up to be a "small ball" paradise, defined by tight, low-scoring baseball where a single defensive play or stolen base could decide the winner. It features the league's best defense, its top base-stealers, and some elite workhorse pitching.1

#2 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (30-20, 23-10 GAC | W2)

The Wonder Boys are the defensive standard-bearers of the GAC, leading the conference in ERA (4.90) and Fielding Percentage (.973). They suffocate opposing offenses, holding opponents to a league-low .264 BAA. Offensively, Kirby Jenkins (OF - 1st Team All-GAC) is the catalyst, hitting .357 with 28 extra base hits (16 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR), 52 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. The starting rotation is led by Creighton Jacobitz (75.1 IP, 7-4, 3.46 ERA, 1st Team All-GAC), who sets the tone, followed by solid arms Daniel Hutchison (63.2 IP, 8-5, 4.66 ERA, 2nd Team All-GAC) and Cole Dickson (62.1 IP, 4-4, 5.05 ERA). To seal victories, watch for Eric Woodley (1st Team All-GAC RP), the league’s top closer with 9 saves on the year.

#3 Harding Bisons (29-18, 21-12 GAC | L2)

Harding thrives on "chaos baseball," leading the GAC in both Stolen Bases (106) and Doubles (101)—a testament to their ability to keep constant pressure on the bases. The primary run producer is Cooper Newsom (INF - Unanimous 1st Team All-GAC), the heavy hitter leading the team with 65 RBI and a .565 slugging clip. Freshman Easton Jones (OF) is the speed demon, leading the team with a .343 average while swiping 21 bags. The Bisons rely heavily on rotation arms Merrit Jay (5-2, 3.97 ERA over 68 innings - 2nd Team All-GAC) and Kyle Lane (8-0, 4.91 ERA over 77 innings - 1st Team All-GAC & All-Defensive Team). The bullpen features a heavily-used trio: Josiah Binford (17 App, 3.54 ERA, 4 saves - 2nd Team All-GAC), Keaton Baird (20 App, 4.71 ERA, 2 saves), and Austin Kelley (23 App, 5.45 ERA, 5 saves).

#6 Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers (26-24, 17-16 GAC | W3)

Riding a crucial three-game winning streak into Hot Springs, the Rangers are built on speed and a tough pitching staff. They rank 2nd in the league in Stolen Bases (99) and 3rd in BAA (.281). The Rangers' spark plug is Alex Dabrowski (OF - All-Defensive Team), a nightmare on the paths who has swiped 45 bases (nearly half the team’s total) this season while hitting .301. He is supported by veteran Joel Lindahl (INF), who leads the starters with a .358 average. Their elite arm is Logan Sandoval (GAC Pitcher of the Year), who is 8-5 with a 3.21 ERA over 81.1 innings and holds opponents to a paltry .227 batting average.

#7 Ouachita Baptist Tigers (24-24, 16-17 GAC | W3)

The Tigers secured their tournament spot by sweeping rival Henderson State in the final weekend, proving they are the ultimate "pitching and defense" dark horse. They are tied for 3rd in ERA (5.25) and have the arms to stay in any game. Jaren Ceasar (OF - 2nd Team All-GAC) is the pure hitter, leading the Tigers with a .387 AVG and 20 stolen bases. The needed power comes from Joseph Bolin (C), who provides the pop with 9 HR and 43 RBI. The team’s heart and soul is Ace Chase Oberle (2nd Team All-GAC), who leads the team with a 3.43 ERA over 60.1 innings and famously threw a 145-pitch complete game to keep their season alive last Thursday. Notably, the Tigers have only used 13 pitchers all season, with only nine of them making 10 or more appearances.