Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Regional 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament Preview
Image credit:
Vahn Lackey (Photo by Mike Janes/Four Seam)
The 2026 NCAA baseball tournament is set to get underway on Friday, May 29, with teams opening regional play across the nation.
To get ready, Baseball America presents the ultimate tournament guide with preview breakdowns of all 64 teams. Check out the full list of regional previews here.
No. 1 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech is the most dangerous offensive team in the country because there is no obvious place to breathe. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in scoring, average, on-base percentage, slugging and overall offensive production, and they pair that thump with enough swing-decision discipline to make every inning feel pressurized. A 10-run lead does not feel safe against this group because Georgia Tech can build rallies patiently, then end them violently.
The lineup has as much draft gravity as any team in the field this year. Vahn Lackey is the best catcher in the class and might be the best position player available, Drew Burress gives Georgia Tech another first-round ba, and Jarren Advincula is one of the toughest pure contact hitters in the country—and that accounts for just a third of a star-studded group. That trio, though, gives the Yellow Jackets significant force. The lineup’s depth is what makes it exhausting.
Georgia Tech’s pitching is not the headliner, but it is more than passable for this roster. Georgia Tech misses bats at a strong clip, limits damage well enough and keeps opponents from turning every game into a race. It does not need a dominant staff to win this regional. It needs enough strikes, enough swing-and-miss and enough runway for the best offense in America to take over.
No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma’s regional case is thinner than its seed line suggests. The Sooners have one bankable separator: a pitching staff that can miss bats at a high enough rate to survive against quality lineups. That gives them some theoretical upset equity, but it comes with a major caveat. Oklahoma walks too many hitters, allows too much traffic and has not consistently prevented runs, which is a brutal combination in a regional built around Georgia Tech’s offense.
The Sooners also do not have the kind of lineup that can comfortably chase crooked numbers if the pitching staff slips. They draw some walks and have individual bats capable of doing damage, but overall this is a middle-of-the-pack offense in the field, not one built to overwhelm mistakes.
Oklahoma can win games if its arms command the zone and turn strikeouts into clean innings. Winning the regional, though, likely requires its best pitching weekend and most explosive offensive stretch of the season to happen at the same time.
No. 3 The Citadel
The Citadel’s path is narrow because the majority of its run prevention is built on pitching to contact, a difficult way to survive in a regional with Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs do a decent job keeping games manageable, but they do not miss many bats, which means too many innings will depend on defense, sequencing and batted-ball luck.
For a light offense that does not walk much or hit for much power, that leaves very little margin. Lefty Will Holmes and two-way righty Michael Gipson account for much of The Citadel’s swing-and-miss, so any real run probably has to flow through them.
No. 4 Illinois-Chicago
UIC is a true longshot four-seed in a regional that does not offer many soft landings. The Flames have some power and avoid excessive free passes on the mound, but the larger profile is difficult to square with a realistic path forward. They do not score enough, do not prevent runs at a high enough level and are staring at a Georgia Tech offense that punishes ordinary pitching quickly. One win would be a major achievement.
Caitlin Clark talks her signature shoe, Indiana Fever player of the week, more
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark has had social media buzz about her signature shoe, and she spoke about the technology, being a role model and more.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever continued their 2026 WNBA regular season with a 113-96 loss against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, June 20.
Clark, a former Iowa women’s basketball star, and the Fever are 9-7 after the first 16 games of the regular season.
Here’s a look at how Clark fared in Saturday’s game in Atlanta:
Caitlin Clark stats today in Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream
- Minutes: 34
- Points: 26
- Rebounds: 3
- Assists: 7
- Blocks: 0
- Steals: 1
- Turnovers: 7
- Fouls: 3
- FG shooting: 11-18
- 3-point shooting: 3-7
- Free throws: 1-2
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever upcoming games
- June 22: vs Phoenix Mercury, 7 p.m. CT, USA Network
- June 24: vs Phoenix Mercury, 6:30 p.m. CT, USA Network
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Ballet Returns to the Fox Theatre to Present Cinderella for One Weekend Only This Fall
Photo above: Glass slipper scene from a past Atlanta Ballet production of Cinderella, provided by the Atlanta Ballet
Tickets on sale for Atlanta Ballet 2’s limited three-performance run of the beloved fairytale at the city’s iconic theatre
ATLANTA (June 19, 2026) – Atlanta Ballet is set to return to the Fox Theatre for the first time since 2019 as Atlanta Ballet 2 presents three performances of Cinderella. For one weekend only, Oct. 16-17, dancers from Atlanta Ballet 2 and the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education will perform one of the world’s most beloved fairy tales on the city’s iconic stage, marking an exclusive homecoming for the company.
Cinderella tells the timeless story of kindness, perseverance and the search for true love. Part of Atlanta Ballet’s family ballet series, the one-hour, family-friendly production is designed to introduce young audiences to the art of ballet, transporting them into a world of enchantment through immersive storytelling, vibrant costumes, imaginative sets and beloved characters.
“Having the opportunity to perform at The Fox is very meaningful for our Atlanta Ballet 2 dancers,” said Gennadi Nedvigin, artistic director of Atlanta Ballet. “The theatre with its whimsical decor is deeply rooted in Atlanta’s cultural history and returning there with Cinderella allows us to share a timeless story with new generations in the magical environment.”
Choreographed by Bruce Wells, this version of Cinderella blends classical choreography with narration to suit audiences of all ages. Wells is internationally acclaimed for his role as a former soloist with New York City Ballet, where he performed works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Frederick Ashton and Anthony Tudor. Audiences may also recognize Wells’ previous Atlanta Ballet 2 works, including Beauty and the Beast, Swan Princess and Snow White.
While the Fox Theatre engagement offers audiences an opportunity to see Atlanta Ballet perform on one of the city’s most iconic stages, the company’s primary performance home will remain the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Following the October performances, all Atlanta Ballet productions, including the annual Nutcracker, will continue to be presented at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
For more information and to purchase Fox Theatre pre-sale tickets, visit www.atlantaballet.com
Public ticket sales begin June 19.
About Atlanta Ballet:
Founded in 1929, Atlanta Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in the country and the official state Ballet of Georgia. Atlanta Ballet’s eclectic repertoire spans ballet history, highlighted by beloved classics and inventive originals. After 96 seasons, Atlanta Ballet continues its commitment to share and educate audiences on the empowering joy of dance. In 1996, Atlanta Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education, which is dedicated to nurturing young dancers while providing an outlet for adults to express their creativity. Atlanta Ballet’s roots remain firmly grounded in the Atlanta community and continue to play a vital role in the city’s cultural growth and revitalization. For more information, visit www.atlantaballet.com, follow us on Instagram @atlantaballet, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atlantaballet.
About the Fox Theatre:
The Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premier venues for live entertainment, welcoming more than 200 performances a year in its 4,665-seat theatre. From concerts to ballets, comedy, and movies, the historic venue attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually. The theatre also hosts over 100 annual private events such as wedding receptions, trade shows, corporate meetings, and association functions in two stunning ballrooms. The Fox’s premium Marquee Club presented by Lexus is a 10,000 sq. ft, three-story luxury lounge accessible to all Club Level ticket holders or annual members of the Fox Theatre.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, the Fox Theatre stands today as a fiercely protected landmark and a nationally acclaimed theatre. In alignment with its guiding principles, the Fox Theatre is committed to fostering an environment rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion—onstage, backstage, and throughout the staff and guest experience.
The Fox Theatre proudly acknowledges its partners’ generous support: Coca-Cola, Georgia Natural Gas, Georgian Terrace Hotel & Livingston Restaurant, Humana, Lexus, Northside Hospital, Regions Bank, and Casamigos Tequila. Tickets for all events are available at FoxTheatre.org, or toll-free at 855-285-8499. Stay connected by following the Fox Theatre on social via @theFoxTheatre on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters prior to tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers that center fielder Michael Harris II could go on the IL with lower back issues if it doesn’t improve in the coming days.
The team is hopeful an IL-stint can be avoided as he is semmingly doing better and he is receiving treatment and could be available tonight, but Mauricio Dubón is starting in place of Harris II in center field.
Harris II left the June 16 game and also missed time earlier this month with lower back tightness. With monsoon season hitting the Atlanta-area, the wet conditions have wrecked the team’s schedule, but also created non-ideal conditions on the field, including on the 16th when Harris II left the contest.
It’s not good news – but it isn’t bad news either.
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