The 2026 Summit League baseball tournament opens this week at Siebert Field in Minneapolis, bringing together a mix of established contenders and surprising challengers.
Favorites and Underdogs
Oral Roberts enters as the heavy favorite, boasting a 32‑22 overall record and a 22‑6 mark within the league, having secured the regular‑season conference championship by six wins. The team’s recent history includes a notable upset last year when North Dakota State defeated them despite a modest 13‑15 conference slate.
South Dakota State, by contrast, arrives with a 21‑30 overall record and a 12‑15 conference tally, yet the Jackrabbits have shown signs of late‑season momentum. Their pitching staff, which struggled early, tightened up toward the end of the schedule, setting the stage for a competitive postseason.
Key Players to Watch
Sophomore right‑hander Drew McDowell has emerged as a cornerstone for the Jackrabbits, delivering six no‑hit innings in his final two starts and flashing the kind of dominance that could tilt close games. Complementing him on the mound is ace Easton Teel of Oral Roberts, who sits at 4‑2 with a 3.11 ERA over 72 innings this season.
At the plate, Luke Luskey leads South Dakota State with a .314 batting average, 53 RBIs and 12 home runs, while Nolan Grawe isn’t far behind at .328 with 47 RBIs. Their combined power and consistency give the Jackrabbits a potent offensive threat.
Tournament Format and Other Contenders
The event will follow a double‑elimination format, ensuring that each team must lose twice before being eliminated. In addition to Oral Roberts and South Dakota State, the field includes Omaha and Northern Colorado, each hoping to upset the favorites and advance deeper into the bracket.
The tournament’s location at Siebert Field, home of the University of Minnesota’s baseball program, adds a familiar backdrop for fans traveling from across the region. The University of Minnesota, a key partner in hosting the event, brings its own legacy of collegiate baseball excellence to the proceedings.