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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.

Elevated E. coli levels along parts of the Chattahoochee River are forcing some businesses to temporarily shut down operations as officials continue monitoring unsafe water conditions following days of heavy rain.

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper says spikes in bacteria levels after storms are common, but experts say the duration of the current contamination event is unusual.

“Typically we have a 24-hour period after a rain event where the river might look a little brown and have some elevated levels,” said Britt Oxford, general manager of Atlanta operations for Nantahala Outdoor Center. “But right now, with continuous rain for almost five days now, it’s just kind of held on and staying elevated.”

Oxford said prolonged rain combined with ongoing drought conditions have contributed to the lingering contamination, adding that he hasn’t seen levels stay elevated this long since Hurricane Helene.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey measured E. coli levels as high as 2,500. Water is generally considered unsafe for recreation when levels exceed 235.

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper says elevated bacteria levels have stretched across parts of Fulton, Cobb, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties, impacting an estimated 20 businesses along the river.

Health experts warn that exposure to contaminated water can cause symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and infections.

Despite the warnings, some people were still spotted near the river Wednesday.

“I mean, we’re pretty much in the summer weather and I know I’ve seen folks near the water wanting to go fish, treat it like a beach or a pool,” said Annabelle Ombac, who was hiking near Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Powers Island outpost.

Oxford said the prolonged contamination is affecting both businesses and longtime Atlanta traditions centered around the river.

“The thing that’s heartbreaking for me is we are the gateway for people to access the river,” Oxford said. “They’re not able to access the river. And it’s kind of a tradition a lot of people have in the city.”

Josh Schulman, who was running along the river Wednesday, said access to the Chattahoochee is one of the metro area’s defining features.

“Having the Chattahoochee here is a treat,” Schulman said. “It’s a gift to be able to have this as part of a major metro area.”

Oxford said river conditions should improve roughly a day after the rain clears, but until then, businesses will continue monitoring water quality and adjusting operations accordingly.

ATLANTA – With the world’s biggest sporting event arriving in Georgia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium—officially referred to as “Atlanta Stadium” for the tournament—is set to host eight highly anticipated matches. For casual sports fans, the influx of international teams can feel overwhelming.  

From European powerhouses to historic underdogs, some of the most famous athletes on the planet are headed to downtown Atlanta. This quick-reference cheat sheet will get you up to speed on the major teams and household names to watch.

MEET THE U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM

Spain anchors the Atlanta group stage marquee

Favorites to watch:

Three-time European champions Spain will be the highest-profile team playing in Atlanta during the opening group stage, featuring in two separate match dates. The star-studded squad will face Cabo Verde on June 15, followed by a clash against Saudi Arabia on June 21.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 10: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates the victory during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Spain’s roster features a blend of veteran leadership and electrifying youth. The biggest name to know is teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona winger whose dazzling dribbling and historic performances have captured global attention. Alongside him is midfield anchor Rodri, widely considered one of the tactically smartest and most dominant players in modern soccer. Expect Spain to control possession and showcase the fast, precise passing style that made them a global soccer empire.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 31: Rodri of Spain looks on during an international friendly match between Spain and Egypt at RCDE Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Morocco brings World Cup pedigree back to downtown

The ultimate dark horses:

Morocco captured the hearts of sports fans worldwide with their historic, history-making run to the semifinals at the last World Cup. They bring that same fierce, defensive-minded energy to Atlanta on June 24 when they face off against Haiti.  

The Moroccan squad is spearheaded by world-class right-back Achraf Hakimi, a lightning-fast defender who plays his club soccer for Paris Saint-Germain. Adding creative spark to their attack is Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Díaz, who recently committed his international future to Morocco. Known for their passionate fan base and incredibly disciplined defensive structure, Morocco’s match is expected to be one of the loudest and most energetic atmospheres of the summer.

PARIS, FRANCE – APRIL 28: Achraf Hakimi of PSG during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Parc des Princes on April 28, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty I

Underdogs and rising stars

Competitive challengers:

The remaining group-stage matches in Atlanta feature incredibly balanced, competitive squads capable of pulling off massive tournament upsets. On June 18, Czechia squares off against South Africa, while Congo DR faces Uzbekistan on June 27.

• Czechia: Led by towering West Ham midfielder Tomáš Souček and clinical striker Patrik Schick, the Czechs rely on physical dominance, aerial strength, and dangerous set-pieces.
• South Africa: Navigating their way out of a tough Group A, “Bafana Bafana” features goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who gained international fame for his historic penalty-saving heroics.
• Uzbekistan: Making noise on the global stage, the Uzbek side is led by veteran striker Eldor Shomurodov, a proven goal-scorer with extensive experience in Italy’s top flight.