College Baseball · 13 hours ago

D1 Baseball: 11 South Region Mid-Major Teams to Watch in 2026

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

Host · Writer

Liberty Flames (C-USA)
Liberty’s pitching depth might be its separator in 2026. With ace Ben Blair anchoring the staff and a wave of starter-caliber arms behind him, the Flames project as one of the deepest teams in Conference USA.

The offense returns key contributors like Tanner Marsh and supplements losses through a strong portal class. Everything points to Liberty taking another step forward — and possibly controlling its own postseason destiny.
D1 College Baseball 2026 Southeast Region Preview
College baseball’s spotlight usually stays glued to the power conferences, but every postseason tells the same counterstory. The real chaos — and value — lives in the mid-majors. These are the programs that develop pros, stack 40-win seasons, host regionals, and wreck brackets when the margins tighten.

Last season’s Murray State run to Omaha was the latest reminder that pedigree isn’t required to win in June. Development, retention, and momentum are.

As the 2026 season approaches, this five-part series highlights the mid-major programs that matter — broken down by region — with real postseason upside, returning production, and coaching continuity. We start in the Southeast.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (SWAC)
Bethune-Cookman did exactly what elite mid-majors are supposed to do in 2025: dominate their league, punch a postseason ticket, and make life uncomfortable for a regional host. The Wildcats stormed through the SWAC and were the conference’s lone NCAA representative.

What makes them dangerous again in 2026 is retention. The heart of the lineup returns intact. Andrey Martinez was a force, slashing .353/.424/.725 with 20 home runs and 64 RBI, while Jorge Rodriguez posted a 1.148 OPS and gave the lineup real depth protection.

Up the middle, shortstop Jeter Polledo and leadoff catalyst Daryl Lee are back, giving the Wildcats speed, on-base skills, and extra-base pop. On the mound, senior lefty Edwin Sanchez returns after anchoring the rotation with 82.2 innings, 101 strikeouts, and a 3.05 ERA.

Bethune-Cookman checks every mid-major box: veteran hitters, frontline pitching, and continuity. If they get a favorable regional draw, this is a team capable of winning a game — or two — in June.
Florida Atlantic Owls (American Athletic)
Florida Atlantic enters 2026 with uncertainty baked in. The Owls lost their ace, Trey Beard, and their bullpen anchor, MJ Bollinger, creating real questions on the mound. That’s why the preseason expectations dipped.

But the offense gives FAU a fighting chance. Brando Leroux and Marshall Lipsey return after leading the team in average, on-base percentage, and stolen bases, combining for power and table-setting at the top of the order.

The season likely hinges on sophomore right-hander James Litman, who logged 60+ innings as a freshman and is expected to take over Friday night duties. If he stabilizes the rotation, FAU has enough offensive competence to outperform modest projections in the AAC.
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (ASUN)
Florida Gulf Coast’s 2025 season ended in frustration rather than failure. Despite winning the ASUN Tournament, weather-related circumstances kept them out of a regional — a bitter finish for a team that earned more.

The reason FGCU remains relevant is Evan Dempsey. The two-way star posted a 1.97 ERA over 68.2 innings while also hitting .309 with power. No other player in college baseball impacts games quite like he does.

FGCU also returns multiple offensive starters and their top arms, including Dempsey and Chris Diaz. While postseason access remains an uphill climb, the Eagles have the foundation to stay competitive and spoil plans across the ASUN.

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Stetson Hatters (ASUN)
Stetson has become one of the most reliable mid-major programs in the country, even as rosters turn over. The Hatters won 41 games in 2025 and made another regional appearance, extending a run of sustained success.

The challenge in 2026 is replacing ace Jonathan Gonzalez and closer Ty Van Dyke. That’s no small task. However, Stetson returns two-thirds of its rotation and trusts its development pipeline under head coach Steve Trimper.

Offensively, the losses are significant, but this is a program that reloads rather than resets. With two straight 40-win seasons and a proven coaching staff, Stetson deserves the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.
Murray State Racers (Missouri Valley)
America’s Team returns — albeit in a different form. Murray State’s magical 2025 run to Omaha cemented head coach Dan Skirka as one of the sport’s best builders, even if a repeat trip is unlikely.

The Racers return key arms, including innings-eater Nic Schutte and their top bullpen pieces. Offensively, senior infielder Luke Mistone leads the way after posting a .335 average and 53 RBI.

The roster will look different, but the culture remains intact. That alone makes Murray State a threat to find its way back into a regional in 2026.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (C-USA)
Western Kentucky lost nearly everything that made 2025 special. Two elite starters, their closer, and a do-everything offensive star are gone. Replacing that level of production is unrealistic in one cycle.

Still, WKU’s recent track record matters. The program has developed arms at an elite level and remains one of the best-run mid-majors in the country. While 2026 may be a step back, the foundation suggests a quick rebound is coming.
Tulane Green Wave (American Athletic)
Tulane’s resurgence under Jay Uhlman is no longer a fluke. Two straight NCAA appearances and conference tournament success signal a program firmly on the rise.

The Green Wave lost key draft pieces but countered with a top-20 transfer class. The offense should reload seamlessly with returning bats and high-upside additions, while the pitching staff gains depth and flexibility through the portal.

Tulane feels like a team ready to take another step — not just back to a regional, but toward hosting contention if things break right.
Charlotte 49ers (American Athletic)
Charlotte brings back the formula that matters most: offense. The 49ers return their top four hitters, led by AAC Preseason Player of the Year Dawson Bryce.

Pitching remains the swing factor after losing ace Blake Gillespie, but Andrew Kibbs and Joseph Taylor give Charlotte enough arms to stay afloat. In a top-heavy AAC, the 49ers look like a real bid contender again.
East Carolina Pirates (American Athletic)
A “down year” for East Carolina still ended in a regional. That tells you everything about the floor Cliff Godwin has built.

With AAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Ethan Norby returning to headline the rotation and a veteran offense bringing back seven key hitters, ECU enters 2026 as the conference favorite for a reason.

This roster is older, deeper, and better balanced than last year’s group — a dangerous combination in postseason play.
Austin Peay Governors (ASUN)
Austin Peay did everything but reach the NCAA Tournament in 2025. A 45-win season wasn’t enough. That sting carries into 2026.

The offense returns loaded, led by Ray Velazquez and ASUN Freshman of the Year Cole Johnson. The portal addressed pitching depth aggressively, giving the Governors a real shot to finish the job this time.

If the arms hold, Austin Peay could be one of the most complete mid-majors in the country.
Liberty Flames (C-USA)
Liberty’s pitching depth might be its separator in 2026. With ace Ben Blair anchoring the staff and a wave of starter-caliber arms behind him, the Flames project as one of the deepest teams in Conference USA.

The offense returns key contributors like Tanner Marsh and supplements losses through a strong portal class. Everything points to Liberty taking another step forward — and possibly controlling its own postseason destiny.
D1 College Baseball 2026 Southeast Region Preview
College baseball’s spotlight usually stays glued to the power conferences, but every postseason tells the same counterstory. The real chaos — and value — lives in the mid-majors. These are the programs that develop pros, stack 40-win seasons, host regionals, and wreck brackets when the margins tighten.

Last season’s Murray State run to Omaha was the latest reminder that pedigree isn’t required to win in June. Development, retention, and momentum are.

As the 2026 season approaches, this five-part series highlights the mid-major programs that matter — broken down by region — with real postseason upside, returning production, and coaching continuity. We start in the Southeast.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.

D1 Baseball: 11 South Region Mid-Major Teams to Watch in 2026

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