Eight teams open play at historic Rickwood Field in two four-team, double-elimination brackets, with the Bracket A and Bracket B champions advancing to Sunday’s winner-take-all SWAC championship game.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament brings the league’s top eight teams to Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, where the championship chase will unfold through two separate four-team, double-elimination brackets before a single-game title matchup on Sunday. Bracket A features No. 2 Southern, No. 3 Florida A&M, No. 6 Texas Southern and No. 7 Jackson State, while Bracket B includes No. 1 Bethune-Cookman, No. 4 Alabama State, No. 5 Grambling State and No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The format creates two mini-tournaments inside the larger championship event. Each bracket will play down through a winner’s bracket and elimination bracket, with an “if necessary” game available on Saturday if the unbeaten bracket finalist is defeated. Once Bracket A and Bracket B determine their champions, the two survivors will meet Sunday at 1 p.m. in a winner-take-all championship game for the SWAC title and automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament Schedule
Site: Rickwood Field — Birmingham, Alabama
Wednesday, May 20
Game 1 — 9 a.m.
Bracket A: No. 3 Florida A&M vs. No. 6 Texas Southern
Game 2 — 12 p.m.
Bracket B: No. 4 Alabama State vs. No. 5 Grambling State
Game 3 — 3 p.m.
Bracket A: No. 2 Southern vs. No. 7 Jackson State
Game 4 — 6 p.m.
Bracket B: No. 1 Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Thursday, May 21
Game 5 — 9 a.m.
Bracket A elimination game: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3
Game 6 — 12 p.m.
Bracket B elimination game: Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 4
Game 7 — 3 p.m.
Bracket A winner’s bracket game: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3
Game 8 — 6 p.m.
Bracket B winner’s bracket game: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4
Friday, May 22
Game 9 — 9 a.m.
Bracket A elimination game: Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 7
Game 10 — 12 p.m.
Bracket B elimination game: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 8
Game 11 — 3 p.m.
Bracket A championship round: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9
Game 12 — 6 p.m.
Bracket B championship round: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 10
Saturday, May 23
Game 11b — 12 p.m.
Bracket A “if necessary” game
Game 12b — 3 p.m.
Bracket B “if necessary” game
Sunday, May 24
Championship Game — 1 p.m.
Bracket A Champion vs. Bracket B Champion
Winner-take-all SWAC Championship Game
Bracket A Preview: Southern and Florida A&M Lead a Dangerous Pod
Bracket A of the 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament brings together four teams that can score in bunches, but the path through Rickwood Field may come down to which pitching staff limits free passes and avoids the one crooked inning. The bracket opens Wednesday, May 20, with No. 3 Florida A&M vs. No. 6 Texas Southern at 9 a.m., followed by No. 2 Southern vs. No. 7 Jackson State at 3 p.m.
No. 2 Southern University Jaguars
Southern enters the tournament at 27-21 overall and 20-7 in SWAC play, carrying a six-game winning streak into Birmingham. The Jaguars’ best version is built around pressure: a .303 team batting average, a .419 on-base percentage, 137 stolen bases, and a lineup that forces opponents to defend every inning. KJ White Jr. is the engine, hitting .423 with 74 hits and 30 stolen bases, while Ryan Hunter, Jaylon Lucky, Kameron Byrd and Jacoby Radcliffe give Southern length and speed throughout the order.
Strengths: Southern’s offense can win games without needing the long ball. The Jaguars steal bases, draw walks, pressure catchers and can string together big innings. White and Radcliffe are elite table-setters, while Hunter, Lucky and Byrd give Southern multiple run-producing options.
Weaknesses: Run prevention is the concern. Southern’s staff owns a 7.38 ERA, and opponents reached base at a .422 clip. The Jaguars have swing-and-miss arms, but 331 walks and 79 hit batters allowed are dangerous numbers in a double-elimination tournament.
Key players to watch:
KJ White Jr.; Ryan Hunter; Jaylon Lucky; Kameron Byrd; Jacoby Radcliffe; Bobby Spencer; Myles Dismute; Caleb Ellis.
Bracket A head-to-head:
Southern dropped two of three at Florida A&M, losing 12-7 and 10-6 while winning the middle game 9-5. The Jaguars’ scheduled series with Texas Southern was canceled/postponed, though Texas Southern beat Southern 15-12 at the Andre Dawson Classic. Southern’s regular-season game with Jackson State was also canceled, making Wednesday’s opener the first meeting between the two.
What it will take to win the tournament: Southern must make the tournament a track meet without letting it become a bullpen survival test. If the Jaguars get quality length from Spencer and Dismute, keep free passes down, and let White, Radcliffe and Hunter dictate pace, Southern has the offensive profile to play deep into the weekend.
No. 3 Florida A&M Rattlers
Florida A&M comes in at 27-22 overall and 22-8 in conference play, also riding a six-game winning streak. The Rattlers bring the best combination of power and pitching balance in the bracket. Offensively, Jackson McKenzie is one of the most dangerous bats in Birmingham, hitting .386 with a .503 on-base percentage, .772 slugging percentage, 10 home runs and 48 RBI. Jay Campbell, William Brown, Matthew Perez and Caden Kresak add depth to a lineup that has hit 43 home runs.
Strengths: FAMU can change the game with one swing and has more mound stability than most of the bracket. Caleb Granger has been a true rotation anchor at 7-3 with a 4.59 ERA and 78 strikeouts, while Tanner Walker, Ryan Young, Cody Williams and Clark Lincoln give the Rattlers useful bullpen options.
Weaknesses: The Rattlers are not built around speed, with only 34 stolen bases, and their defense has been inconsistent at times with 70 errors. If the power is muted, FAMU has to manufacture offense more efficiently than it has at times this season.
Key players to watch:
Jackson McKenzie; Jay Campbell; William Brown; Matthew Perez; Caden Kresak; Caleb Granger; Tanner Walker; Cody Williams.
Bracket A head-to-head:
Florida A&M won the regular-season series against Southern, 2-1, beat Jackson State two out of three in Jackson, and swept Texas Southern in Tallahassee by scores of 4-2, 13-2 and 9-8. The Rattlers open the tournament against the same Texas Southern team they swept to close the regular season.
What it will take to win the tournament: FAMU needs its power bats to show up early and its pitching depth to hold. If Granger gives the Rattlers a strong start, Walker and Williams protect leads, and McKenzie gets pitches to drive, Florida A&M may be the most complete team in Bracket A.
No. 6 Texas Southern Tigers
Texas Southern enters at 20-22 overall and 15-12 in SWAC play, but the record does not fully reflect how dangerous the Tigers can be offensively. Texas Southern hit .313 as a team with a .428 on-base percentage, .458 slugging percentage and 42 home runs. Byron Robinson leads the lineup at .381 with a .516 on-base percentage, .653 slugging percentage, nine home runs and 43 RBI. Miguel Morales, Christopher Chavez, Jonathan Trejo and Zachari Pace make the Tigers a difficult out from top to bottom.
Strengths: Texas Southern can hit with anyone in the bracket. Robinson, Morales, Chavez and Trejo all bring high-average, high-on-base production, and Pace adds a speed element with 14 stolen bases. Justin Mayes gives the Tigers a legitimate tournament starter with a 3.58 ERA and 81 strikeouts.
Weaknesses: Texas Southern enters on a seven-game losing streak and was swept by Florida A&M to close the regular season. Pitching depth is the concern behind Mayes, with the staff allowing opponents to hit .299 with 46 home runs.
Key players to watch:
Byron Robinson; Miguel Morales; Christopher Chavez; Jonathan Trejo; Zachari Pace; Justin Mayes; Joshua Pena; Zac Laviage.
Bracket A head-to-head:
Texas Southern was swept by Florida A&M in the final regular-season series, beat Southern 15-12 at the Andre Dawson Classic before the later conference series was postponed, and split four total games with Jackson State when including a 3-2 neutral-site loss and a 2-1 conference series win in Houston.
What it will take to win the tournament: Texas Southern has to reset quickly. The Tigers need Mayes to set the tone in the opener, the bullpen to limit damage, and the offense to get back to its aggressive identity. If Robinson and the middle of the order turn games into slugfests, Texas Southern is capable of upsetting the bracket.
No. 7 Jackson State Tigers
Jackson State arrives at 26-25 overall and 16-14 in SWAC play with one of the deepest lineups in the tournament. The Tigers hit .309 with a .413 on-base percentage, 36 home runs and 71 stolen bases. Tyree Reed is the headliner, hitting .385 with a .525 on-base percentage, .626 slugging percentage, nine home runs and 62 runs scored. Pierre Cabral, Diego Melendez, Edwin Lemus Hudson Jr., Hederick Torres and Robert Tate Jr. give Jackson State a lineup that can stretch a pitching staff.
Strengths: Jackson State’s lineup has balance, athleticism and extra-base ability. Reed and Cabral can carry innings, while Melendez and Tate give the Tigers reliable contact and run production. On the mound, Jayden Lopez, Derek Arrocha, Talmadge Davis and Kade Walker all have strikeout ability, and Jaedeyn Edwards has been the top late-game option.
Weaknesses: The Tigers have lived dangerously on the mound and defensively. Jackson State’s staff ERA is 7.15, with 294 walks and 98 hit batters allowed, and the defense has committed 80 errors. In a tournament setting, those free bases can erase offensive production quickly.
Key players to watch:
Tyree Reed; Pierre Cabral; Diego Melendez; Edwin Lemus Hudson Jr.; Robert Tate Jr.; Jayden Lopez; Derek Arrocha; Talmadge Davis; Jaedeyn Edwards.
Bracket A head-to-head:
Jackson State did not play Southern during the regular season after the scheduled matchup was canceled. Against Florida A&M, the Tigers won the opener 5-4 in 11 innings before dropping the next two, 8-7 in 10 innings and 23-8. Against Texas Southern, Jackson State won 3-2 at the Andre Dawson Classic but lost the conference series in Houston, 2-1.
What it will take to win the tournament: Jackson State must play cleaner than its season numbers suggest. The offense is good enough to win multiple games, but the Tigers need strikes, routine defense and enough length from Lopez, Arrocha or Davis to keep the bullpen from being overexposed. If Reed and Cabral are on base all week, Jackson State can make Bracket A uncomfortable for everyone.
Bracket B Preview: Bethune-Cookman Leads a Volatile Four-Team Side
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bracket B of the 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament opens Wednesday at Rickwood Field with No. 4 Alabama State vs. No. 5 Grambling State at noon, followed by No. 1 Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6 p.m. The bracket has the tournament’s top seed, two dangerous middle seeds, and an eighth seed that has already beaten every team in the pod at least once.
No. 1 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Bethune-Cookman enters as the top seed at 37-18 overall and 23-7 in SWAC play, with the most complete profile in Bracket B. The Wildcats hit .306 as a team with a .429 on-base percentage, .479 slugging percentage, 53 home runs and 119 stolen bases. That combination of power, patience and speed makes B-CU the most balanced offense on this side of the bracket.
Strengths: Bethune-Cookman can win in multiple ways. The Wildcats have impact power with Andrey Martinez and Jose Fernandez, table-setting ability from Michael Rodriguez and Darryl Lee, and a lineup that keeps traffic on the bases. Rodriguez is the catalyst, hitting .417 with a .574 on-base percentage and 17 stolen bases, while Fernandez has 11 home runs and 51 RBI, and Martinez has 14 home runs and 48 RBI.
Weaknesses: The Wildcats are not without risk. The defense has committed 73 errors, and while B-CU has high-end pitching, the staff behind its top arms can still be forced into damage-control innings if opponents extend counts. In a double-elimination tournament, the Wildcats’ biggest challenge may be avoiding the bullpen-taxing game that allows an underdog to hang around.
Key players to watch:
Michael Rodriguez; Jose Fernandez; Maikol Lucena; Andrey Martinez; Erick Almonte; Darryl Lee; Edwin Sanchez; Harbersting Abreu; Pablo Torres.
Bracket B head-to-head:
Bethune-Cookman won every regular-season series against the Bracket B field. The Wildcats took two of three from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, winning 16-9 and 6-4 before dropping the finale 10-6. They also took two of three at Alabama State, winning 6-1 and 7-3 before falling 14-11 in the series finale. Against Grambling State, B-CU won 23-1, lost 7-2, then closed the series with a 12-1 win.
What it will take to win the tournament: Bethune-Cookman must play like the top seed without letting the bracket become chaotic. If Edwin Sanchez gives the Wildcats a true ace-level start and the offense keeps forcing opponents to pitch under pressure, B-CU has the best path to Sunday. The Wildcats need clean defense, controlled innings from the bullpen, and continued production from Rodriguez, Fernandez and Martinez to finish the job.
No. 4 Alabama State Hornets
Alabama State comes in at 30-21 overall and 20-10 in conference play, carrying a four-game winning streak into Birmingham. The Hornets are built around power, timely offense and enough pitching depth to navigate a tournament if the front-line arms hold. ASU hit 52 home runs as a team, led by Trey Callaway with 15, Jackson Williams with 12 and Miguel Oropeza with nine.
Strengths: Alabama State’s lineup can flip a game quickly. Oropeza has been the most consistent bat, hitting .352 with 17 doubles, nine home runs and 52 RBI. Niguel Jenkins brings another dangerous profile with a .348 average, .510 on-base percentage and .616 slugging percentage. The Hornets also have late-game options on the mound, with Camden Matthews posting a 3.33 ERA and six saves, and James Peterson working 67.2 innings with a 3.19 ERA.
Weaknesses: Alabama State has power, but the offense is not always as consistent as the home run totals suggest. The Hornets hit .275 as a team and struck out 417 times. Opponents also hit .299 against ASU pitching, meaning the Hornets may need to outslug teams if games get away from Peterson, Matthews or Jorhan LaBoy.
Key players to watch:
Miguel Oropeza; Niguel Jenkins; Breydon Divine; Devin Chandler; Trey Callaway; Jackson Williams; James Peterson; Camden Matthews; Jorhan LaBoy.
Bracket B head-to-head:
Alabama State went 1-2 against Bethune-Cookman, losing 6-1 and 7-3 before winning the finale 14-11. Against Grambling State, the Hornets won the neutral-site meeting at the Andre Dawson Classic, 14-5, but dropped the conference series two games to one, losing 9-5, winning 5-4, and falling 14-13. ASU took two of three from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, winning 14-10 and 9-4 before UAPB exploded for a 26-1 win in the finale.
What it will take to win the tournament: Alabama State needs its power bats to show up early and its pitching staff to avoid free-base innings. If Oropeza, Callaway and Williams drive the baseball and Peterson or LaBoy can provide length, the Hornets have enough offense to win Bracket B. The key is keeping games out of the danger zone where walks, strikeouts and bullpen matchups decide everything.
No. 5 Grambling State Tigers
Grambling State enters at 21-30 overall but 18-12 in SWAC play, which tells the story of a team that took lumps outside the league but became a real factor in conference play. The Tigers hit .281 as a team with a .418 on-base percentage, 41 home runs and 78 stolen bases. They are dangerous because they can score in bunches and have already taken series from Alabama State and Florida A&M during league play.
Strengths: Grambling’s strength is the middle of the order and its ability to pressure the scoreboard. Cameron Hill leads the team with 10 home runs and 54 RBI, while Charles Ashe III has nine home runs and 51 RBI. Aidan Lopez gives the Tigers a strong on-base bat at .342 with a .479 on-base percentage, and Trey Bridges adds another high-OBP threat with 54 walks and 14 stolen bases.
Weaknesses: Run prevention is the obvious question. Opponents hit .303 against Grambling, scored 469 runs, hit 54 home runs and stole 236 bases in 266 attempts. The Tigers have arms with strikeout ability, but the staff has allowed too much traffic, and that is dangerous against teams like Bethune-Cookman and Alabama State.
Key players to watch:
Aidan Lopez; Charles Ashe III; Trey Bridges; Cameron Hill; Hasani Johnson; Chris Marcellus; Julio VasQuez; Keyon Guillory; Trevor Esparza; Rafael Capistran.
Bracket B head-to-head:
Grambling split four total meetings with Alabama State, losing 14-5 at the Andre Dawson Classic but winning the conference series with victories of 9-5 and 14-13 around a 5-4 loss. Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling lost the series 2-1, falling 16-1, winning 15-3, and losing 8-6. Against Bethune-Cookman, the Tigers lost two of three, falling 23-1, winning 7-2, and dropping the finale 12-1.
What it will take to win the tournament: Grambling has to turn the bracket into an offensive fight while getting just enough pitching to survive. If Hill, Ashe, Lopez and Bridges are on base consistently, the Tigers can beat anyone in Bracket B. To win the tournament, though, Grambling must limit stolen bases, avoid the big inning and get competitive starts from Guillory or Esparza.
No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Arkansas-Pine Bluff enters as the No. 8 seed at 23-32 overall and 16-14 in SWAC play, but the Golden Lions are not a typical bottom seed. UAPB won 16 conference games, hit .301 as a team and posted a .413 on-base percentage. The Golden Lions also own wins over Bethune-Cookman, Alabama State and Grambling State, making them a legitimate upset threat in Bracket B.
Strengths: UAPB has offensive depth. Nick Hockemeyer hit .360 with a .490 on-base percentage, Aaron Grant hit .355 with eight home runs and 50 RBI, Zach Wieder had 68 hits and 55 runs scored, and Blake Coleman drove in 43 runs. The Golden Lions also have several useful arms, led by Kenney Fabian, Ryland Morin, Brendan Hamlin, Jalen Porter and Emerson Lott.
Weaknesses: The Golden Lions have to prove they can carry their home-field confidence into a neutral-site tournament. UAPB went 18-10 at home but just 5-22 on the road and did not play a neutral-site game during the regular season. The defense is another concern with 84 errors, and the offense has left 461 runners on base.
Key players to watch:
Nick Hockemeyer; Aaron Grant; Lazaro Alvarado; Zach Wieder; Konner Giddley; Blake Coleman; Jose Vasquez; Kenney Fabian; Ryland Morin; Brendan Hamlin.
Bracket B head-to-head:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff went 1-2 against Bethune-Cookman, losing 16-9 and 6-4 before winning 10-6. UAPB also went 1-2 against Alabama State, dropping the first two games 9-4 and 14-10 before winning the finale 26-1. Against Grambling State, the Golden Lions won the series, taking the opener 16-1, losing 15-3, then winning the finale 8-6.
What it will take to win the tournament: UAPB must bring its best offensive version to Birmingham and get immediate mound stability. The Golden Lions have enough bats to pressure Bethune-Cookman in the opener, but they cannot afford defensive mistakes or stranded-runner innings. If Fabian or Morin can keep the game manageable and Grant, Wieder, Hockemeyer and Coleman produce early, UAPB has the profile to make Bracket B uncomfortable.
A.D. Drew currently serves as the Director of Athletic Marketing at Morehouse College. Drew is also the current media coordinator for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Celebration Bowl. Previously Drew has served as an independent consultant in athletic communications, having worked events such as The Celebration Bowl, MEAC-SWAC Challenge, Black College World Series, SWAC Championship Game, multiple SIAC championship events, and Gulf South Conference events, in addition to regular season sports and events at every NCAA and NAIA level. Drew has also completed athletic communications consulting work for institutions on NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels. Drew was previously the SIAC contributor to D2Football.com.
Drew does work for the Black College Sports Network, where he has worked as a producer, director, and on-air talent. Drew has provided either play-by-play or color analysis for the Orange-Blossom Classic, the Black College World Series, the GCAC (now HBCUAC) basketball tournament, SIAC Baseball, Softball, and Men’s Volleyball Championships, and regular season games for football, flag football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball. Drew regularly hosts a podcast, the BCSN SportsWrap with Bryan and A.D., most Sundays at 6PM ET on the BCSN.
Drew also coordinates pressbox operations for Minority Prospects. Drew currently is a board member of the HBCU-Pro Sports Media Association. Drew is a member of the College Sports Communicators. In the past, Drew has served as the Director of Administration for the Black College World Series (2022) and as the Director of Athletic Communications at Thomas University.