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Let’s break down three dark horse teams to watch in the NCAA baseball tournament.
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1. Jacksonville State (46-13)
Let’s start off with Jacksonville State. This team went 46-13 on the season and has the No. 25 RPI. They not only played top-caliber teams this year, but beat top-caliber teams.
Auburn, who got the No. 4 overall seed in the tournament, lost to Jacksonville State twice this season. In fact, the Gamecocks mercy ruled them 15-4. They also played Alabama twice this season, and both times lost by only a run. That’s not just random flukes — that says something.
✅ CHECK OUT: Everything you need to know for the NCAA baseball tournament
The lineup doesn’t have a ton of power, but they have six every day starters hitting over .300. They just won the CUSA title, and I think you should watch out for this team in the tournament, in Southern Miss’s regional and facing Virginia to open the tournament.
2. UC Santa Barbara (38-18)
Next, I have UCSB. Anytime you have a pitcher like Jackson Flora on your team, you should be on the lookout. Flora is hands downs one of the best arms in the nation. He sports a 1.05 era with 124 strikeouts and they have some big-time wins this season — even big-time wins without Flora on the mound.
Now up to TWELVE strikeouts tonight for Flora, tying his career high 👀#GoChos pic.twitter.com/qp82b7QPgV
— UC Santa Barbara Baseball (@UCSB_Baseball) March 21, 2026
They took down the No. 1 team in the nation UCLA, 4-0, shutting out one of the country’s best offenses. They took a game from Oregon and beat USC once. They didn’t have the best showing in their conference tournament, but could come into regionals on a mission in Austin.
3. Cincinnati (37-20)
And finally, watch out for Cincinnati. The Bearcats also have a win over Auburn this year, won the series over West Virginia, a national seed in the tournament, and have one of the best power hitters in the country on their lineup in Quinton Coats.
Quinton Coats puts us on top!
His 48th and 49th RBI of the season. 💪#Bearcats | #TenGames pic.twitter.com/oEahcZsBi4
— Cincinnati Baseball (@GoBearcatsBASE) April 10, 2026
This team can win two out of three against tough competition, so watch out for them in Mississippi State’s regional.
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