The 25th‑ranked University of Chicago baseball squad entered the 2026 NCAA Super Regionals with a sense of historic anticipation, having finished the regular season at 30‑15 and captured the University Athletic Association championship for the first time in more than a century.
Their opponent, sixth‑seeded Salisbury, proved a formidable hurdle, and the Maroons fell in a doubleheader that ended their run in the national tournament.
Game‑by‑Game Breakdown
In the opener, Max Weisner lined a double in the fourth inning, knotting the game at 1‑1. The lead shifted again in the seventh when Michael Gladden launched a homer that tied the contest at 3‑3, but Salisbury ultimately pulled ahead to win 5‑3.
Game two saw Ryan Bhojwani deliver a timely homer in the sixth frame, cutting Salisbury’s advantage to three, yet the Maroons could not sustain the momentum and succumbed 7‑4.
The double loss dropped the season to a close, but the performance underscored a breakthrough year that included a first‑ever appearance in the Super Regionals and a championship that had eluded the program for over a hundred years.
Looking Ahead
Coach David Flanagan praised the effort of his seniors and the contributions of players such as Harrison Belden, Nathan Bae, Preston Benner, Lucien Reed and Luke Weston, all of whom helped shape the squad’s identity.
The university’s athletics department highlighted the milestone on social media, noting that the Maroons’ 30‑15 record reflects a resurgence of baseball at the institution and sets a foundation for future recruiting and development.
Fans and alumni celebrated the season’s achievements, acknowledging that while the Super Regionals ended in defeat, the team’s legacy will be remembered as a turning point for Chicago baseball.