The 2026 NWAC Baseball Championship features eight teams battling for the title May 21-25 at Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington. The field includes the four region champions — Everett (North), Spokane Falls (East), Lower Columbia (West), and Linn-Benton (South) — along with four Super Regional qualifiers: Pierce, Wenatchee Valley, Lane, and Edmonds. Below are previews of each team heading into the tournament with graphics and stats courtesy of nwbaseballstats.com. Click on player names for much more info on that player.
Lower Columbia, the tournament host, enters with a 22-2 conference record and 40-10 overall. They lead all playoff teams in ERA at 2.35 and rank third in AVG at .282. Elite pitching and on-base skills have carried one of the best records in the NWAC under West Region Coach of the Year Kurt Lupinski.
Top Hitters
- Karsten Hansen (.395 AVG, 1.009 OPS, 14 SB) — West Region Position Player of the Year, First Team
- Jaylen Kennedy (.331 AVG, .825 OPS, 1 SB) — West Region First Team, Gold Glove
- Sam Davidson (.295 AVG, .767 OPS, 3 HR, 9 SB) — West Region First Team, Gold Glove
- James Cote (.287 AVG, .790 OPS, 3 HR, 11 SB) — West Region Second Team
- Harlan Rowe (.248 AVG, .760 OPS, 2 HR, 11 SB)
Top Starting Pitchers
- Quinn Hubbs (64.1 IP, 0.84 ERA, 24.8% K, 0.92 WHIP) — West Region Pitcher of the Year, First Team
- Caden Spanier (59.1 IP, 1.82 ERA, 25.2% K, 0.83 WHIP) — West Region First Team
- Justin Fuller (61.0 IP, 1.77 ERA, 23.8% K, 1.20 WHIP) — West Region First Team
- Graham Learing (47.0 IP, 3.64 ERA, 31.7% K, 1.19 WHIP) — West Region Second Team
Top Relievers
- Dante Santulli (28.1 IP, 1.91 ERA, 27.4% K, 1.31 WHIP)
- Rudy Larson (26.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 34.2% K, 0.75 WHIP) — West Region Second Team Relief Pitcher
- Matthew Kosderka (17.1 IP, 1.04 ERA, 29.3% K, 0.75 WHIP) — West Region First Team Relief Pitcher
The Linn-Benton Roadrunners come in with a 27-9 conference record and 35-9 overall. They sit sixth among playoff teams in AVG at .267 and fifth in ERA at 3.67. Extra-base power and a balanced approach at the plate have carried the offense, led by South Region Coach of the Year Andy Peterson.
Top Hitters
- Noah Scharer (.279 AVG, .768 OPS, 6 SB) — South Region Gold Glove
- Bryant Starr (.262 AVG, .738 OPS, 16 SB) — South Region First Team
- Kellen Segel (.313 AVG, .825 OPS, 20 SB) — South Region First Team & Second Team Utility
- Nick Biagi (.330 AVG, .884 OPS, 7 SB) — South Region Second Team
- Mark Carpenter (.350 AVG, .886 OPS, 6 SB) — South Region Freshman of the Year, Gold Glove
Top Starting Pitchers
- Talon McGrorty (59.2 IP, 3.47 ERA, 16.7% K, 1.07 WHIP)
- Emmett Stacher (54.1 IP, 2.98 ERA, 20.6% K, 1.25 WHIP)
- Cooper Yudhishthu (45.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, 25.3% K, 1.10 WHIP) — South Region First Team
Top Relievers
- Dayne Castillo (40.1 IP, 1.79 ERA, 18.5% K, 0.99 WHIP) — South Region Second Team Relief Pitcher
- Jake Johnson (26.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 21.9% K, 0.84 WHIP)
The Everett Trojans arrive with the best record in the field at 25-5 in conference play and 41-9 overall. They post the second-highest team AVG among playoff teams at .293 and the second-lowest ERA at 2.46. Multiple major award winners and a loaded First Team highlight their dominance in the North Region.
Top Hitters
- Talan Zenk (.305 AVG, .862 OPS, 44 SB) — North Region First Team
- Davis Downer (.332 AVG, .939 OPS, 6 HR, 20 SB) — North Region Position Player of the Year, First Team, Gold Glove
- Julian Unay (.314 AVG, .852 OPS, 23 SB) — North Region First Team, Gold Glove
- Lukas Cheha (.331 AVG, .856 OPS, 11 SB) — North Region First Team, Gold Glove
- Blake Skinner (.331 AVG, .884 OPS, 4 HR, 18 SB) — North Region Freshman of the Year, First Team
Top Starting Pitchers
- Basil Hendrix (71.0 IP, 1.90 ERA, 31.3% K, 1.10 WHIP) — North Region Pitcher of the Year, First Team
- Sawyer Wickstrom (62.1 IP, 1.16 ERA, 28.9% K, 0.88 WHIP) — North Region First Team
- Chase Halvorson (52.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, 24.9% K, 1.05 WHIP) — North Region Second Team
Top Relievers
- Dylan Hicks (31.2 IP, 0.85 ERA, 42.0% K, 0.66 WHIP) — North Region First Team Relief Pitcher
- Dylan Dyer (21.2 IP, 2.49 ERA, 40.5% K, 0.88 WHIP) — North Region Second Team Relief Pitcher
Spokane enters at 21-7 in conference play and 33-12 overall. They rank tied for fourth in team AVG among playoff teams at .278 and fourth in ERA at 3.10. Low team strikeouts and plus team speed have been hallmarks of their season under East Region Coach of the Year Ryne Webb.
Top Hitters
- Trent Woodhouse (.358 AVG, .824 OPS, 24 SB) — East Region Second Team
- Thomas Malcolm (.354 AVG, .865 OPS, 15 SB) — East Region First Team
- Max Workman (.321 AVG, .936 OPS, 4 HR, 19 SB) — East Region First Team DH
- Logan Spradling (.315 AVG, .937 OPS, 3 HR, 9 SB) — East Region Second Team DH
- Castle Keaton (.282 AVG, .697 OPS, 6 SB)
Top Starting Pitchers
- Sam Weaver (55.1 IP, 3.25 ERA, 35.8% K, 1.14 WHIP) — East Region First Team
- David Barnes (38.1 IP, 1.64 ERA, 29.2% K, 1.02 WHIP) — East Region Second Team
- Dylan Greenough-Groom (41.0 IP, 3.29 ERA, 24.1% K, 1.15 WHIP) — East Region Second Team
Top Relievers
- Braiden Boyd (40.2 IP, 2.43 ERA, 27.2% K, 1.06 WHIP) — East Region First Team Relief Pitcher
- Luke McGuire (40.1 IP, 1.34 ERA, 29.2% K, 1.17 WHIP) — East Region Second Team Relief Pitcher
- Owen Krasowski (38.1 IP, 3.05 ERA, 29.8% K, 1.04 WHIP)
The Edmonds Tritons come in with a 25-5 conference record and 38-12 overall. They sit seventh in AVG among playoff teams at .261 and sixth in ERA at 3.12. Power and the ability to work counts have been key offensive traits, with multiple North Region major award winners and First Team selections.
Top Hitters
- Noah Figuered (.317 AVG, .854 OPS, 2 HR, 70 SB) — North Region First Team, Gold Glove
- Kaden Ecklund (.280 AVG, 1.014 OPS, 9 HR, 10 SB) — North Region Big Stick Award, First Team DH
- Lucas Christensen (.268 AVG, .926 OPS, 4 HR, 17 SB) — North Region First Team
- Carsen Mann (.283 AVG, .693 OPS, 16 SB) — North Region First Team, Gold Glove
- Bryce Moser (.267 AVG, .805 OPS, 27 SB) — North Region First Team, Gold Glove
Top Starting Pitchers
- Aidan O’Neil (75.1 IP, 3.11 ERA, 20.8% K, 1.18 WHIP) — North Region Second Team
- Levi Arnold (70.0 IP, 1.93 ERA, 20.2% K, 0.97 WHIP) — North Region First Team
- Joshua Martinson (63.1 IP, 2.98 ERA, 25.9% K, 1.07 WHIP)
- Chihiro Sato (61.1 IP, 2.93 ERA, 17.6% K, 1.13 WHIP) — North Region Second Team
Top Relievers
- Brody Olmstead (28.1 IP, 2.22 ERA, 20.2% K, 1.09 WHIP)
- Luke Moisant (20.1 IP, 1.33 ERA, 13.8% K, 0.98 WHIP)
Lane arrives with a 24-12 conference record and 36-16 overall. The Titans lead all playoff teams in AVG at .296 and rank third in ERA at 2.87. Strong on-base skills and one of the better pitching staffs in the South Division define their makeup, anchored by South Region Position Player of the Year Quinton Olson.
Top Hitters
- Quinton Olson (.353 AVG, .942 OPS, 2 HR, 7 SB) — South Region Position Player of the Year, First Team Utility
- Cody Roletto (.372 AVG, .916 OPS, 2 HR, 6 SB) — South Region First Team DH
- Donnie Morgan (.323 AVG, .925 OPS, 3 HR, 25 SB) — South Region First Team
- Jalen Riddle (.336 AVG, .879 OPS, 5 SB) — South Region First Team
- Nolan Donivan (.280 AVG, .778 OPS, 16 SB) — South Region Second Team
Top Starting Pitchers
- Griffin Scott (67.1 IP, 2.14 ERA, 24.9% K, 1.10 WHIP) — South Region First Team
- Lucas Geren (66.0 IP, 2.45 ERA, 25.5% K, 1.06 WHIP) — South Region Second Team
- Kenneth Price (59.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, 18.5% K, 1.08 WHIP)
Top Relievers
- Sam Wilson (43.0 IP, 1.26 ERA, 23.3% K, 0.56 WHIP) — South Region First Team Relief Pitcher
- Caleb Malloy (26.1 IP, 2.39 ERA, 35.2% K, 1.22 WHIP)
Wenatchee Valley enters at 19-9 in conference and 31-19 overall under head coach Aaron Vaughn. The Knights rank third in team AVG among the playoff field at .278 and seventh in ERA at 4.27. Power production and the ability to draw walks have been consistent strengths, with several East Region honorees.
Top Hitters
- Malikhi Emery-Hednerson (.304 AVG, 1.029 OPS, 8 HR, 14 SB) — East Region First Team
- Shion Habuto (.324 AVG, .874 OPS, 23 SB) — East Region First Team
- Carter Christensen (.311 AVG, .892 OPS, 3 HR, 1 SB) — East Region First Team
- Teyton Hardeman (.346 AVG, .845 OPS, 12 SB)
- Eric Havili (.281 AVG, .797 OPS, 3 HR, 25 SB)
Top Starting Pitchers
- Schuyler Fairchild (57.0 IP, 2.84 ERA, 22.3% K, 1.44 WHIP)
- Luke Sterkel (51.2 IP, 3.14 ERA, 20.9% K, 1.43 WHIP) — East Region Second Team
- Layne Bennett (45.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, 17.5% K, 1.30 WHIP)
Top Relievers
- Miles Ducharme (36.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 17.9% K, 1.14 WHIP)
- Dominic Miller (30.2 IP, 2.64 ERA, 20.2% K, 1.21 WHIP)
- Evan Reece (29.0 IP, 1.86 ERA, 20.8% K, 0.97 WHIP)
The Pierce Raiders enter the NWAC Championship with a 16-8 conference record and 28-20 overall mark. Their offense ranks fifth among the eight playoff teams with a .274 AVG, while the pitching staff sits eighth with a 4.52 ERA. The group has shown strong plate discipline and first-pitch strike ability in recent weeks.
Top Hitters
- Kai Halstead (.333 AVG, .947 OPS, 5 SB – West Region Freshman of the Year, First Team
- Tristan Ringrose (.343 AVG, .945 OPS, 9 SB) — West Region First Team
- Bradley Carl (.345 AVG, 1.011 OPS, 3 HR, 12 SB) — West Region First Team
- Jackson Copeland (.316 AVG, .840 OPS, 2 HR, 4 SB) — West Region First Team
- Christian Dominno (.285 AVG, .748 OPS, 30 SB) — West Region First Team
Top Starting Pitchers
- Michael LeJeune (41.0 IP, 1.76 ERA, 33.1% K, 0.80 WHIP) — West Region First Team
- Santiago Guedez-Rodriguez (65.2 IP, 2.33 ERA, 18.6% K, 1.20 WHIP) — West Region Second Team
- Vayden Lawrence (63.2 IP, 3.96 ERA, 18.5% K, 1.35 WHIP) — West Region Gold Glove
Top Relievers
- Gavin Thunstrom (34.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 16.9% K, 1.18 WHIP)
- Koshi Arai (40.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 10.9% K, 1.32 WHIP)
Bracket
Read more at https://nwacsports.com/Championship_Central_Baseball
