Emerald City Classic 2026 Set to Open Eight-Day High School Baseball Showcase
The Emerald City Classic returns this Friday as eight high school baseball programs from across South Carolina gather for an eight-day early-season tournament at Emerald High School.
The 2026 Emerald City Classic will run February 27 through March 7, featuring pool play
competition followed by a full championship slate on Saturday, March 7. The event provides
teams with a competitive early-season test while giving fans a full week of quality baseball
action.
This year’s field includes:
Pool A
Emerald
Ninety Six
Clinton
BHP
Pool B
Laurens
Mid-Carolina
Greenville
North Augusta
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, February 27
5:00 PM – Laurens vs Greenville
7:30 PM – Emerald vs Clinton
Saturday, February 28
10:30 AM – North Augusta vs Greenville
1:00 PM – Emerald vs Ninety Six
3:30 PM – Clinton vs BHP
6:00 PM – Laurens vs Mid-Carolina
Monday, March 2
5:00 PM – North Augusta vs Mid-Carolina
7:30 PM – Ninety Six vs BHP
Tuesday, March 3
5:00 PM – Laurens vs North Augusta
7:30 PM – Emerald vs BHP
Wednesday, March 4
5:00 PM – Clinton vs Ninety Six
7:30 PM – Mid-Carolina vs Greenville
Thursday, March 5 – Rain Makeup Day
Friday, March 6 – Rain Makeup Day
Saturday, March 7 – Championship Day
10:30 AM – Pool A 4th vs Pool B 4th
1:00 PM – Pool A 3rd vs Pool B 3rd
3:30 PM – Pool A 2nd vs Pool B 2nd
6:00 PM – Pool B 1st vs Pool A 1st (Championship – No Time Limit)
All games are played with a 2.5-hour time limit (finish the inning), except for the championship
game, which has no time limit.
TICKET INFORMATION
• $7 Daily Admission
• $25 Tournament Pass
• Tickets available at GoFan.co or cash at the gate
TEAM PREVIEWS
EMERALD VIKINGS
2025 Record: 10–16 (5–10 Region I AAAA)
Season Outlook: Young core building on playoff experience
Strengths
• Versatile pitching staff led by junior Finn Howard
• Top four offensive producers return
• Promising underclass depth
Key Players
Finn Howard (Jr., P/INF)
Coleson Marino (So., P/OF)
Beau Hite (So., SS/P)
Eli Swancey (C/3B/P)
Emerald returns valuable varsity experience and will look to continue developing its young core
while competing at a high level early in the season.
NINETY SIX WILDCATS
Season Outlook: Veteran roster with region title aspirations
Strengths
• Nearly 90% of production returns
• Region Player of the Year back in the lineup
• Deep and experienced pitching staff
Key Players
Parker Sutley (Jr., P/C – All-State)
Austin Wertz (Sr., 1B/P – All-Region)
Carver Davis (Sr., OF – All-Region)
Eli Schoolfield (Jr., P/OF)
Ryton Goff (Jr., P/INF)
The Wildcats bring experience, depth, and high expectations into the 2026 campaign.
CLINTON RED DEVILS
2025 Record: 21–8, District Champions
Strengths
• Six returning All-Region players
• Experienced rotation
• Balanced offensive lineup
Key Players
Camden Finley
Luke Young
Tanner Finley
Jaydon Glenn
Talen Campbell
Clinton enters 2026 motivated to build on last season’s Upper State appearance.
BHP BEARS
Season Outlook: Blend of experienced contributors and emerging talent
Strengths
• Two returning starting arms
• All-Region performers back
• Competitive depth throughout roster
Key Players
Aidan Jenkins (P/IF – All-Region)
Preston Dixon (OF – All-Region)
Jud Lowie
Rhett Turner
Landon Davis (Returning from ACL injury)
BHP looks to establish rotation depth early and identify key contributors.
LAURENS RAIDERS
Season Outlook: Youthful but athletic roster
Strengths
• Speed and athleticism
• Sophomore standout Noah Hughes
• Continued postseason culture
Key Players
Noah Hughes (So., P/1B)
Ryland Paxton (Sr., RHP)
Logan Martin (Jr., 1B/P)
Brayden Patterson (Jr., MI/CF)
Laurens enters the season looking to build on five straight district championship appearances.
MID-CAROLINA REBELS
2025 Record: 23–9, Upper State appearance
Strengths
• Strong up-the-middle defense
• Deep pitching staff
• Veteran leadership
Key Players
Colby Livingstone (Sr., SS/P) SMC Commit
Lawson Lawrence (Sr., P) Coker Commit
Luke Milling (Jr., P)
Landen Wicker (OF/P)
Davis Ruff (C/INF)
Tanner Shell (INF)
Mid-Carolina brings balance and postseason experience into 2026.
GREENVILLE RED RAIDERS
Season Outlook: Bounce-back year with experienced pitching depth
Strengths
• Two returning region starters
• Deep pitching staff
• Experienced infield core
Key Players
Hayden Laird (Jr., INF)
Jack Lerstang (Jr., P/CF)
John Carlise (Sr., OF/P)
Griffin Gowens (So., SS)
Greenville looks to turn promising underclass experience into consistent production.
NORTH AUGUSTA YELLOW JACKETS
Season Outlook: Veteran-heavy roster with collegiate commitments
Strengths
• 14 seniors
• College-level pitching depth
• Eight returning starters
Key Players
Landen Jones (Coastal Carolina commit)
Simeon Lorier (SMC commit)
Brady Jenkins (SMC commit)
Dylan Morrison (USCB commit)
North Augusta enters the Classic as one of the most experienced teams in the field.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
All Emerald games and the Championship Game will be streamed live on the Lakelands Sports
Network.
Watch live at:
PARKING INFORMATION
Spectators should park in the Gate 3 Gym Lot.
Tournament entry will be located at the bottom of the hill at the Football Gate.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for parking and entry before first pitch.
ABOUT SIMPSON SPORTS MEDIA
Simpson Sports Media is a South Carolina–based media and public relations firm specializing in high school athletics. The company provides weekly game notes, full-season media guides, live broadcasts, and public relations coordination designed to help athletic departments tell their stories with clarity, consistency, and professionalism.Simpson Sports Media partners directly with schools, tournaments, and organizations to deliver college-level media operations at the high school level.
MEDIA CONTACT
Graeme Simpson
President, Simpson Sports Media
?? graeme@simpsonsportsmedia.com
