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2026 South Bend area IHSAA baseball sectional pairings set
TL;DR
The IHSAA has announced the baseball sectional pairings for the South Bend area, with the state tournament starting on May 27. Defending champions Goshen and NorthWood are among the favorites, but challengers like Concord are emerging.
Key points
- IHSAA announced baseball sectional pairings on May 3
- State tournament starts on May 27, 2026
- Goshen and NorthWood are defending sectional champions
- Kingsmen are ranked No. 3 in Class 4A
- Concord poses a challenge to Goshen in their sectional
GoshenJimtownNew PrairieNorthWood
The IHSAA announced all baseball sectional pairings Sunday, May 3, less than a month away from the start of the state tourney on May 27. Six South Bend Tribune coverage area teams — Goshen, Jimtown, New Prairie, NorthWood, Penn and Triton — won sectional crowns last season. Two of those squads — Goshen and NorthWood — brought home regional titles as well.
Many of those squads remain favorites to win their respective sectionals this year, but some challengers have emerged through the first month of the season. In Class 4A, the defending sectional champion Kingsmen (16-3) are ranked No. 3 and are heavy favorites in a field also featuring the hosting Mishawaka (9-2) among others.
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Also, the RedHawks (9-4) look to prove their run to the semi-state championship game last season was no fluke in a sectional they host. Concord, however, could stand in Goshen's way, as the Minutemen (8-3) have already beaten their Northern Lakes Conference (NLC) rival, 4-0, this season.
In Class 3A, South Bend Saint Joseph (11-4) and New Prairie (12-3) will face each other in a first-round sectional game that very well could have been the championship if the Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) rivals were paired on opposite ends of their Plymouth-hosted bracket.
Like Goshen, NorthWood (10-4) looks to defend its 3A sectional crown and make another run past regionals, but the Panthers will have to win three sectional games to even make it out of the first weekend. They are 10-4 to start the season and will likely run into a solid Columbia City (9-5) team in the semifinal round.
In Class 2A, the Jimmies (7-4) only have to beat Winamac (7-5) to advance to the sectional title game once again at their home diamond. Indiana Northern State Conference (INSC) foes LaVille (3-11) and Bremen face each other in a first-round game, and the Lions (9-1) look like the favorite to emerge from their side of the bracket for a championship showdown against Jimtown.
In Class 1A, defending sectional champ Triton (13-1) is rolling once again this season, ranked third in its class. However, the Trojans will also have to win three games to clinch a second straight title, and they'll have to do so at South Central.
Q&A
What are the IHSAA baseball sectional pairings for 2026 in South Bend?
The IHSAA announced the sectional pairings for South Bend area teams, including Goshen, Jimtown, New Prairie, NorthWood, Penn, and Triton.
When does the IHSAA state baseball tournament start in 2026?
The IHSAA state baseball tournament is set to start on May 27, 2026.
Which teams won sectional titles last season in the South Bend area?
Last season, Goshen, Jimtown, New Prairie, NorthWood, Penn, and Triton won sectional titles in the South Bend area.
Who are the favorites for the 2026 IHSAA baseball sectionals in South Bend?
Favorites include defending champions Goshen and NorthWood, with Kingsmen ranked No. 3 in Class 4A.