What to Expect from the 2026 Round Rock Classic in Men’s College Baseball
The 2026 Round Rock Classic is set to deliver an exciting weekend of college baseball at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas, from February 20th through 22nd. The event this upcoming weekend features four programs: Oregon State, Southern Miss, Purdue, and Baylor. Each team is guaranteed three games, and the tournament offers an early look at which programs could be competing for a spot in the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament come June. With high expectations and experienced rosters, this weekend will provide an early statement for teams looking to define their season.
With Oregon State as a clear favorite entering this weekend, fans are expecting a strong performance. Head coach Mitch Canham led the Beavers to their first-ever College World Series appearance in 2025, and they return this season with an impressive roster. Pitcher Dax Whitney anchors this power after a remarkable freshman campaign, earning Perfect Game First-Team Freshman All-America honors and recording 120 strikeouts, which ranked eighth for a single season in program history. First baseman Jacob Krieg, in his junior season, batted .245 with nine doubles, 14 home runs, and 37 RBIs last season. Oregon State’s elite pitching and experienced offensive lineup make the Beavers the team to beat this weekend at the 2026 Round Rock Classic.
Southern Miss brings a nine-year streak of 40-plus-win seasons to Round Rock, making them a dangerous challenger. Senior right-handed pitcher Colby Allen posted a 7-4 record with 12 saves and a 3.63 ERA in 2025, earning multiple Preseason All-American honors heading into the 2026 college baseball season. Allen will likely transition into a starting role as a pitcher for the Golden Eagles in his final senior season. First baseman Matthew Russo returns after clubbing 18 home runs and was one of two Golden Eagles to start every game during the 2025 season. In Russo’s junior season, he finished tied for second in the league in home runs. The Golden Eagles are among the power programs set to shape the 2026 NCAA baseball season, and will clash with Oregon State in one of the weekend’s most exciting matchups.
Purdue is the wild card of the Round Rock Classic this upcoming weekend. The Boilermakers are looking to make a statement against ranked competition early on in the season. Infielder Aaron Manias led the Boilermakers with nine home runs and 43 runs batted in last season, and earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors after posting a 4.0 GPA during the 2024-25 academic year. The matchups for this weekend arrive Saturday when Oregon State and Southern Miss square off, and it will be a clash between two ranked programs that can serve as a preview for the College World Series. Strong performances from Purdue and the rest of the Big Ten can signal the conference breakthrough that programs have been building toward. The 2026 Round Rock Classic promises to be a compelling early-season tournament in college baseball.
