With the National High School Invitational less than a week away, it’s time to take a look at the final pod in this year’s bracket. Pod Four pits two of the NHSI’s most historically successful programs against a pair of newcomers with the talent to make noise. Venice (Jupiter, Fla.) returns as the reigning 2025 NHSI champion to face off with defending New Jersey state champion Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City, N.J.), while heavyweight Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) takes on hometown contender Wakefield (Raleigh, N.C.).

Together, this pod boasts 19 Division I commits, three top 25 teams, and multiple USA Baseball alumni, setting the stage for a highly competitive pod to close out the first-round slate.

Venice

Venice returns to the NHSI as reigning champion after one of the most dominant runs in tournament history. In 2025, the Indians allowed just four runs across four games en route to the title, overwhelming opponents with elite pitching and timely offense. Between two walk-off wins (including one in the title game), one extra-innings victory, and a triumph over 2024 champion Corona, the Indians left little doubt about who the best team was. Now, the Indians make their way back to Cary ranked second in the nation with several members of the 2025 title squad in tow, giving head coach Craig Faulkner a legitimate chance to repeat.

This year’s Venice squad features another talented roster, highlighted by several high-level commits. Shortstop Graham Houston (LSU commit) anchors the lineup, while 2025 All-Tournament Team members -- and brothers -- Kasen (Liberty commit) and Kohen Poplin lead an experienced pitching staff. Kohen Poplin, a sophomore, won tournament MVP last March when he pitched 4.2 hitless innings in the title game, striking out four. Senior Carter Cox, who hit the walk-off single in the championship, also returns for Venice. The southpaw is committed to pitch for the Florida Atlantic Owls next season. Additional contributors like catcher Jonathan Mauti (Columbia) and RJ Shields (Mississippi State) make it clear why this roster has already won on the biggest stage.

Unsurprisingly, Venice is already 16-0 this year, including a win over fellow NHSI team Tampa Jesuit. The average margin of victory for the Indians this season has been 6.4 runs. Few will be surprised if Venice becomes the first team to win consecutive NHSI titles since 2019.

Gloucester Catholic

Gloucester Catholic arrives in Cary for its first ever NHSI appearance, fresh off a 24-3 season and a New Jersey Non-Public B State Championship. The Rams have long been one of the premier programs in the Northeast, consistently producing high-level talent and competing deep into the postseason. This year the expectations will be no different, as Gloucester Catholic arrives at the National Training Complex with six seniors from the 2025 state title team, four of whom are committed to play in Division I next year

Headlining the Rams roster are two SEC commits in infielders Noah Danza (Mississippi State) and Guy Lynam (Auburn). Danza has swatted five homers and 12 doubles over the last two seasons, good for a .364 average and 40 RBIs. Lynum, who has been starting since he was a freshman, has a career .373 average with 68 RBIs. Joining Danza and Lynum in a packed Rams lineup is catcher Braedon Lipoff, who is committed to East Carolina. Lipoff batted .474 last season for Gloucester Catholic, with 14 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs. With Seton Hall two-way commit Henry Pancoast also providing a powerful bat and a fastball that can get up to 90 mph, the Rams have no shortage of weapons. Gloucester Catholic will look to translate its talent and state title momentum into a victory over the defending champs.

Wakefield

Wakefield enters the NHSI following one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Wolverines set a school record for wins and made their furthest trip in the North Carolina state playoffs in school history. En route to winning 24 games, Wakefield also won its spring break tournament, regular season conference title, and conference tournament, building momentum that its hopes to carry into 2026. Though perhaps lacking the national recognition of some of its peers in Pod 4, head coach Trevor Schock’s Wakefield squad has the talent and a style of play that should make the field wary.

Wakefield returns a number of key contributors from its 2025 roster, particularly on the mound. Ethan Wisler, a junior right-hander who can get up to 90 mph with his fastball, is the ace of the staff and a Navy commit. He is joined by seniors Ryan Huisking, an Erskine commit who threw big innings for the Wolverines last year, and Ben Dudash, a four-year starter on the mound for Wakefield. The staff will be throwing to catcher Mikey Katz, who Schock expects big things from this year. “Our boys have always heard about this tournament,” he says. “For us to go out there and compete and show who we are and the style of baseball we play -- we're extremely excited. We're going to play our best baseball and see what happens.”

Wakefield might have another ace up its sleeve, as the school is located just 40 minutes away from the National Training Complex. “We're hoping that our whole student section shows out,” says Schock. The crowd should bring an added layer of energy as Wakefield looks to make a name for itself on the national stage.

Harvard-Westlake

Few programs in the country have been as consistently successful at the NHSI as the Harvard-Westlake Wolverines. The California powerhouse has reached the semifinals in each of its four appearances, finishing runner-up on three occasions. The Wolverines have a 12-4 record in Cary, outscoring opponents 76-35. Now, the No. 22 team in the nation returns for the first time since 2024 with a roster that looks primed and ready to finally break through. Head Coach Jared Halpert believes this year’s group has what it takes: “It’s arguably one of the deepest teams we’ve ever had,” he says. Considering some of the players Harvard-Westlake has brought through Cary over the years (Jack Flaherty, Max Fried, and Pete Crow-Armstrong to name a few), Halpert’s comment should have the rest of the field worried.

The team is led by shortstop and Vanderbilt commit James Tronstein, a gold medalist on the 2022 USA Baseball 15U National Team. Tronstein made the 2024 NHSI All-Tournament Team after leading all hitters with eight hits and a 1.817 OPS. He is joined by a supporting cast of offensive firepower that includes Ethan Price (Santa Clara), Ira Rootman (Texas), and Jake Kim (UCLA). On the mound, Harvard-Westlake boasts impressive depth as well, with five arms capable of crossing the 90 mph threshold. Senior Evan Alexander (Penn) or junior Justin Kirchner (Yale) will pitch in the number one spot, while veteran righty Jake Chung (Brown) will carry the bullpen. This Ivy League trio, combined with flamethrowing closer James Venick (USC), is sure to give hitters a headache.

Through ten games this season, Harvard-Westlake has outscored opponents by a combined 44 runs, including a victory over former NHSI champion Huntington Beach. After coming close in Cary multiple times, the Wolverines enter this year with an appreciation for the event and a clear mission. “It's the best tournament in the country. We're proud to even be a part of it,” Halpert says. “But we're coming to win the thing this year. We don’t want second place.”

Matchup Breakdowns

Venice (FL) vs. Gloucester Catholic (NJ) — March 28, 11:00 am ET

No. 2 Venice opens its title defense against No. 16 Gloucester Catholic in the lone top 25 matchup of the first round. The Indians’ championship-tested pitching staff will look to contain a Gloucester Catholic lineup featuring multiple SEC commits, while the Rams will aim to challenge Venice early and avoid falling behind against one of the nation’s most complete teams. With both programs boasting championship rosters and high-level talent, this matchup will be one of the most competitive games of the opening round.

Wakefield (NC) vs. Harvard-Westlake (CA) — March 28, 5:00 pm ET

Rounding out the first round is the battle of the Wolverines, as the hometown Wakefield takes on NHSI mainstay Harvard-Westlake. The Wolverines of California bring experience and depth, while the Wolverines of Wakefield counter with the momentum of a historic season and a crowd of local fans. Expect Harvard-Westlake’s deep pitching staff and star-studded lineup to pose a significant challenge, but look for Wakefield’s disciplined approach to make things intriguing. If the North Carolina squad can capitalize on some early momentum, this will be a close one.