The 2026 South Dakota High School Baseball Association Class A state tournament will take place on May 22 and 23 at Ronken Field in Sioux Falls, gathering the eight teams that have earned their spots through a grueling regular season.
Format and Favorites
The competition follows a single‑elimination bracket, meaning each game carries immediate stakes; Friday’s quarterfinals will set the stage for Saturday’s semifinals and the final showdown.
Brandon Valley enters as the defending champions, chasing a historic back‑to‑back title that would make them the first team to repeat since Brookings captured the crown in 2015 and 2016.
Sioux Falls Jefferson and Yankton arrive on hot streaks, Jefferson riding a ten‑game winning run and Yankton on eight, while Harrisburg’s ace Kade Wede is expected to start only once, leaving the team to rely on depth.
Rapid City Stevens, fresh off an 11‑2 stretch since April 20, and Watertown, who could pull off an upset against a top seed, add intrigue, while Pierre and O’Gorman’s recent form hints at possible chaos that could reshape the bracket.
Analysts and coaches alike predict Brandon Valley to capture the title, citing a blend of talent, championship experience, and current momentum, but the unpredictable nature of single‑elimination play ensures that any of the contenders could rewrite the story.