Pod 3 brings together four accomplished programs from across the country, each arriving in Cary with championship potential. Aquinas (San Bernardino, Calif.), Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), and Tampa Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) have combined for multiple state titles and feature several MLB Draft prospects and USA Baseball alumni. With national rankings, deep pitching staffs, and experienced lineups scattered throughout the pod, this group has the makings of one of the most competitive brackets in the tournament.

Aquinas

The Aquinas Falcons return to Cary for their second appearance in the NHSI after a dominant showing in 2023. In that tournament run, the San Bernardino program went 3-1 while outscoring opponents 23-6, showcasing the brand of disciplined pitching and timely hitting that has become the program’s trademark. Aquinas continued that success last season, finishing with a 25-3 record while going undefeated in district play.

The Falcons again bring a roster filled with talented arms and athletic defenders. Three seniors are committed to play at the collegiate level: right-handers Chris Alzaga and Hayden Vanderhoof (Long Beach State) and infielders Jacob Bitonti (Grand Canyon), Johnny Tena (UC San Diego). Additionally, junior infielder Damien Cordero will take his talents to California Baptist in a couple years. With this mix of experienced seniors and emerging younger talent, Aquinas will have the pitching depth and bats to make another deep run in Cary. After proving two years ago that they can compete with the nation’s best, the Falcons arrive looking to finish the job this time around.

Baylor

Making its first appearance at the NHSI is Baylor School, a perennial contender in Tennessee that produced reigning AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz. Located in Chattanooga, the Red Raiders have captured three state championships in the past eight seasons and enter the tournament ranked No. 22 nationally by MaxPreps. Baylor’s roster features six Division I commits and a balanced attack of pitching and offense.

Headlining the roster is reigning Mr. Baseball award winner, Blake Lundy, who is committed to Tennessee and hit 15 homers last season. Joining Lundy in the lineup are two Alabama commits in shortstop Mac Morris and infielder Brooks Berry. Senior southpaw Wells Grisham, who gives the Red Raiders a power arm, is committed to Pitt, and his catcher, Jack Schuman, is slated to play at Clemson. Additional pitching depth comes from other players committed to play at the next level such as closer Fox Hamaker (Cleveland State Community College) and Henry Allen (Kennesaw State). With multiple experienced upperclassmen and a program accustomed to playing deep into the postseason, Baylor will look to make a statement in its NHSI debut.

Trinity (KY)

Few teams in the country were as dominant last season as Trinity High School. The Louisville powerhouse won more games than any team in the 2026 NHSI field, rolling to a Kentucky state championship victory with an impressive 38-3 record. They will arrive in Cary next week looking to do more of the same. The Shamrocks bring a deep roster to the NHSI, highlighted by a number of Power-Four commits in the lineup and on the pitching staff.

Right-hander Grayson Willoughby, a Kentucky commit, is the star of the group. The No. 100 player on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 MLB Draft Prospects list, Willoughby couples a 97 MPH fastball with a devastating changeup. Junior pitchers Hudson Meredith (Virginia) and Gray Davis (Clemson) provide the second and third options of what might be the best pitching trio in the field. Meanwhile, the lineup features future Louisville Cardinal commits Nolan Hosking and Zach Floyd, as well as Max Phillips, who will play for Wake Forest. With one of the most successful seasons in the country behind them and a roster full of veteran players, the Shamrocks arrive in Cary ready to make an impression.

Tampa Jesuit

Standing in Trinity’s path is Tampa Jesuit, one of Florida’s most decorated baseball programs. The Tigers have captured seven state championships and routinely compete among the top teams in the talent-rich Florida high school baseball landscape. Tampa Jesuit’s strength lies on the mound, where the Tigers feature a trio of MLB Draft prospects in Wilson Andersen, Samir Mohammed, and Kaden Waechter. Each pitcher is a USA Baseball National Team alum, as Waechter is fresh off a gold medal with its 18U National Team and Andersen and Mohammed played together on its 2023 15U National Team. This top-tier rotation gives Tampa Jesuit the ability to match up with any team in the tournament.

Offensively, the Tigers boast a lineup filled with collegiate talent. Waechter, a right-hander who can swing the bat as well, is committed to Florida State, and outfielder Cannon Murtagh will be a Virginia Cavalier next season. Griffin Boesen is a transfer committed to play at another Atlantic Coast Conference program in Duke. With a deep pitching rotation and a lineup full of high-level talent, Tampa Jesuit arrives in Cary looking to add another chapter to its already impressive program history.

Matchup Breakdowns

Trinity (KY) vs. Tampa Jesuit (FL) — March 28, 7:00 pm ET

The first matchup in Pod 3 pits two of the most accomplished programs in the field against each other. Trinity will likely throw Willoughby, who will be backed up by a lineup capable of producing runs in bunches. The Shamrocks will be thoroughly challenged by whoever Tampa Jesuit Head Coach Miguel Menendez chooses from Andersen, Mohammed, and Waechter. With elite pitching on both sides, this matchup could provide one of the most compelling pitchers’ duels of the opening round.

Aquinas (CA) vs. Baylor (TN) — March 28, 8:00 pm ET

Both teams enter this matchup looking to make a statement in their respective tournament journeys. Aquinas has already proven it can succeed in Cary. Baylor, meanwhile, will be making its tournament debut but arrives with the confidence of a program that has won multiple state championships in recent years. This game could hinge on pitching. Aquinas will likely lean on its deep staff of committed arms, while Baylor counters with experienced upperclassmen and multiple Division I prospects across its lineup.