CARY, N.C. – USA Baseball revealed the bracket today for the 2026 National High School Invitational (NHSI). The NHSI is scheduled to take place March 25-28 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.
The NHSI is a single-elimination tournament, with a champion set to be crowned on Saturday, March 28. The first round will feature eight matchups between the nation’s premier high school programs. With four of the top 10 teams in the country, three reigning state champions, and two former NHSI winners, this field of 16 promises not to disappoint.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS
Orange Lutheran (CA) vs. Regis Jesuit (CO)
Orange Lutheran will make its seventh trip to Cary, where the California powerhouse won three straight NHSI titles from 2017 to 2019. The Lancers, currently ranked No. 3 in the country by MaxPreps, face off with the Regis Jesuit Raiders. The Raiders are 4-3 in two previous trips to Cary and coming off a runner-up finish in the Colorado state championship.
Trinity Christian (FL) vs. Edmond Memorial (OK)
Trinity Christian makes its fifth overall and third consecutive appearance at the NHSI, where the Conquerors fell just short in 2025, losing 3-2 in the title game. Trinity Christian returns to Cary with seven seniors committed to play in the power-four conferences. On the other side of the diamond will be Edmond Memorial, the first Oklahoma school in the NHSI since 2013. The Bulldogs are fresh off a 30-win season and making their first trip to Cary.
St. John Bosco (CA) vs. Nolensville (TN)
The No. 1 team in the country according to MaxPreps and the reigning CIF SoCal state champions, St. John Bosco comes to Cary looking to capture a title. The Braves boast ten seniors committed to play Division I baseball, including two gold-medal winners from the 2025 USA Baseball 18U National Team (James Clark and Jaden Jackson). Looking to knock off the Braves are the Knights of Nolensville, who tout four power-four commits of their own. Both teams will be making their first appearance in the NHSI.
Casteel (AZ) vs. Delbarton (NJ)
Another cross-country showdown, the Casteel-Delbarton matchup features two programs with strong NHSI pedigrees. Led by Anthony Volpe and Jack Leiter in 2019, Delbarton outscored opponents 22-3 in its only NHSI appearance. Casteel holds a 6-3 record across two visits to Cary and looks to break through this season. These rosters are highlighted by a collective 24 college commits and 12 players committed to play Division I.
Aquinas (CA) vs. Baylor (TN)
Aquinas makes its second NHSI appearance after a 3-1 showing in 2023 that saw the San Bernardino school outscore opponents 23-6. The Falcons were undefeated in district play last season and finished with a 25-3 record. Their opponent, Baylor School from Chattanooga, Tennessee, will be making its NHSI debut. Baylor has won three Tennessee state titles in the last eight years and boasts six Division I commits. MaxPreps ranks the Red Raiders No. 22 in the country.
Trinity (KY) vs Tampa Jesuit (FL)
The high-caliber matchups continue with No. 12 Trinity taking on perennial Florida powerhouse Tampa Jesuit. Trinity won more games than any other team in the field last season, when they stomped their way to a Kentucky state title with a 38-3 record. Taking on the champions from Kentucky are the Tampa Jesuit Tigers, winners of seven Florida state championships. The Tigers feature a rotation with three MLB Draft Prospects in Kaden Waechter, Wilson Andersen, and Samir Mohammed.
Venice (FL) vs. Gloucester Catholic (NJ)
Venice returns to Cary as the reigning 2025 NHSI Champion. In one of the most dominant runs in tournament history, Venice allowed only four runs in four games to claim the title. The Indians (ranked No. 8 in the country) look to defend their crown against Gloucester Catholic (No. 17) in the sole top-25 matchup of the first round. Gloucester Catholic went 24-3 last season and won the New Jersey Non-Public B State Championship. Both teams feature multiple SEC commits.
Wakefield (NC) vs. Harvard-Westlake (CA)
Rounding out the first-round slate is a matchup between the home-state Wakefield and four-time NHSI participant Harvard-Westlake. Wakefield is fresh off its deepest run in school history in the North Carolina state playoffs and will look to capitalize on strong local support in Cary. Harvard-Westlake has reached the semifinals in each of its NHSI appearances and finished runner-up on three occasions. The Wolverines will look to ride a roster of nine Division I commits to their first NHSI title.
