Jax State uses early pressure to stun Virginia in Hattiesburg regional opener
Jacksonville State will meet Little Rock with a spot in the Hattiesburg regional final on the line.
Olivia Bennett 
The opening day of the 2026 NCAA baseball regionals delivered pure chaos, with major programs reeling as underdogs seized the spotlight across the country. Hattiesburg was the site of a particularly stunning shift in momentum as lower seeds flexed their muscles.
Gamecocks Make History in Hattiesburg
Following an earlier upset that saw Little Rock dismantle Southern Mississippi, the No. 3 seed Jacksonville State Gamecocks delivered a knockout blow of their own. Jacksonville State (47-13) dominated No. 2 seed Virginia in a 15-7 victory, marking the first time in program history that the Gamecocks have emerged victorious on the opening day of regional play. As 205focus.com reported, the win puts the squad firmly in the driver's seat for the remainder of the weekend.
The offense was firing on all cylinders, racking up 17 hits in a clinical performance. First baseman Brady Thomas paced the attack with three hits and three RBIs, while Cooper Blauser ignited the scoreboard early with a massive solo shot to center field in the second inning. The Gamecocks truly broke the game open in the fifth, plating five runs—three of which came with two outs—to overwhelm the Cavaliers.
Dominance and Discipline
Jacksonville State's ability to put up runs has been a calling card this season; Friday’s outburst marked the 20th time the team has eclipsed the 10-run mark in 2026. On the hill, Beau Bryans provided a steady hand, working 4 1/3 innings and fanning five batters while allowing only two earned runs.
The Cavaliers (36-21) struggled to find answers for the relentless offensive pressure, eventually committing three errors. Virginia’s frustration reached a breaking point in the seventh inning when manager Chris Pollard was ejected. To put the defensive lapse into perspective, the 15 runs allowed by Virginia represents the most the program has surrendered in a single game since 2006.
What's Next
The road to the regional title continues Saturday as Jacksonville State faces off against No. 4 seed Little Rock at 8 p.m. ET. The winner of that matchup will move one step closer to the regional championship, while the loser will face the winner of the Southern Miss vs. Virginia showdown held earlier that day at 3 p.m. Fans can catch the Jacksonville State versus Little Rock game live on ESPN+.
