The annual Columbia Tournament is set to return later this week, running April 16th through 18th. This premier in-season event will bring together 14 teams from across Missouri for two days of pool play on Thursday and Friday, followed by tournament action on Saturday afternoon.

Widely regarded as one of the most competitive tournaments on the MSHSAA calendar, the Columbia Tournament consistently showcases high-level talent and tightly contested ranked vs. ranked matchups.

Prep Baseball Missouri will be on-site, providing full coverage throughout the weekend. Games will be held at three host sites: Rock Bridge, Hickman, and Battle High Schools.

Check out our Large and Small School Rankings - HERE

Keep reading for a close look at each of the teams set to compete in the 2026 Columbia Tournament.

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    BATTLE

Battle heads into the weekend with a 7-7 record (pending Wednesday’s outcome against Jefferson City) and a gauntlet of a schedule featuring No. 13 Fort Zumwalt West on Thursday, followed by a Friday matchups against No. 11 Willard and a gritty Grain Valley squad. The Spartans are anchored by Tennessee commit Tyler Putnam, the state's No. 2 ranked prospect in the Class of 2026, whose 6-foot-5 frame and low-90s heater make him a force on the mound and a cornerstone of an offense that includes Jace Cooper (2026), Tre Taylor (2028), and Brady Crites (2026). In addition to Putnam, the Spartans have relied on valuable innings from Crites, Dalton Roberts (2027), Eli Wingler (2029), and Chase DeShon (2028) to round out their staff on the mound.

    BLAIR OAKS

A mainstay in the small-school Top 10 rankings, No. 3 Blair Oaks is off to another dominant start at 10-2 as they prepare for a high-profile weekend against No. 9 Francis Howell, Staley, and Hickman. The Falcons are powered by a talented core including Vander Halford (2027), who has emerged as a difference-maker both on the mound and in the heart of the order alongside Kason Lance (2027) Hayden Lackman (2026) and Gage Leffert (2026). The pitching staff features significant depth; while Wyatt Libbert (2027) has proven himself in big-game situations, the Falcons also rely on Bret Heislen (2027), Braden Schaefer (2027), Mitchell Rogers (2026), and Owyn Wise (2026) to provide consistent innings.

    EUREKA

Eureka has consistetly been one of the top teams in the state over the past years, and this spring looks to be no different, sitting at No. 6 in our large school rankings and sporting a 12-3 record with a pair of ranked wins already on the resume. The Wildcats feature an experienced, explosive offense headlined by Craig Ringe (2026; St. Louis), Cole Rogers (2026), Carson Leuthauser (2027; Evansville), and Tyler Sweeney (2027), a core capable of putting up runs in a hurry. On the mound, frontline arms Ben Lackey (2026; Southeast Missouri State) and Jaxson Joggerst (2026; Southeast Missouri State) provide the ability to shut down elite opponents, while John Haberkorn (2026; Southeast Missouri State), Jack Baker (2026; State Fair CC), and Nathan Rutz (2027) offer valuable depth to the rotation. Eureka faces a test this weekend with a slate featuring No. 6 Jackson, defending Class 5 state champion Platte County, and Smith-Cotton.

    FORT ZUMWALT WEST

Fort Zumwalt West is once again putting together a strong season as one of the St. Louis Metro Area's top programs, coming in at No. 13 in the Large School rankings with an 12-5 record. The Jaguars are a competitive, experienced group spearheaded by standout seniors Nolan Sissom (Missouri) and Brendan Pyle (Johnson County CC), along with a junior trio of Michael Wolff, Cody Baden, and Joe Ungerboeck. Their pitching depth allows them to compete with anyone in the state, relying on Pyle, Wolff, Sissom, and Baden on the mound, with Camden Schumer (2027), Tyson Driscoll (2026), and Nick Golden (2026) adding valuable innings. The Jaguars are set for a marquee matchup against No. 11 Willard on Saturday, following games against Battle and Grain Valley on Friday.

    FRANCIS HOWELL

No. 9 Francis Howell heads to Columbia with a 11-4 record and one of the state’s most formidable pitching staffs. The rotation is headlined by MLB Draft prospect Dylan Curtis (2026; Missouri) and fellow Missouri commit Jake Brettschneider (2026), alongside key contributors Jack Hubbard (2026; Moberly Area CC), Drew Dierks (2027; St. Louis), Derek Chupp (2027), and Karsen Drummond (2026). This group enters the weekend boasting a collective 1.89 team ERA, but the Vikings are equally dangerous at the plate. The offense is led by Eli Miller (2026), who is hitting .450 and supported by a deep lineup featuring Shake Speckert (2027), Jack Bogard (2028), Brady Tanner (2026; Indiana State), and AJ Jones (2026; Maryville), all of whom are batting above .320. Francis Howell kicks off the weekend Friday against Staley and Hickman before a Saturday showdown with small-school No. 3 Blair Oaks.

    GRAIN VALLEY

Grain Valley enters the weekend with a 5-10 record and a competitive slate ahead, set to take on No. 13 Fort Zumwalt West, Smith-Cotton, and Battle. The Eagles are an intriguing mix of experienced veterans, including Bryce Meyer (2026; Fort Scott CC), John Malicoat (2026; Crowder JC), Carter Gooch (2026; McKendree), Logan Bennett (2026), and Hunter Nally (2026), alongside high-upside young two-way talent like Logan Jinkins (2028) and Aidan Johnson (2028) as well as Brady Meyer (2028). This hungry group has already proven its ceiling by knocking off No. 3 Liberty and pushing several other quality programs to the brink, making the Eagles a dangerous underdog capable of sparking an upset or two this weekend in Columbia.

    HICKMAN

One of the three host teams this week, Hickman faces a challenging slate with matchups against small-school No. 3 Blair Oaks, large-school No. 9 Francis Howell, and a perennially strong Staley squad. Sitting at 7-5, the Kewpies are off to one of their best starts in recent years behind a young roster looking to establish a new foundation for the program. Seniors Landen Durnil (2026; Moberly Area CC), Quinton Brown (2026), and Jackson Shults (2026) anchor the top of the order, supplemented by Kai Stubbs (2027) and rising sophomores Chase Hemmer (2028) and Akiva Clifton (2028) to provide an athletic offense that can beat opponents in multiple ways. On the mound, Nickolaus Kespohl (2027) and Colton Nichols (2027) have emerged as the go-to starters, while Barrett Padberg (2028), Hemmer, and Micah McArthur (2026) provide reliable depth and strong options out of the bullpen.

    JACKSON

No. 5 Jackson enters the weekend not only as one of the state’s top programs but also one of its hottest, sporting a 14-1 record with wins in nine of their last ten games. The Indians face a prime opportunity to separate themselves from the pack as they navigate a gauntlet featuring No. 4 Nixa, No. 7 Rock Bridge, and a rematch with No. 6 Eureka, a matchup that saw the Indians emerge victorious early this season. Jackson boasts a potent offense capable of putting up double digit runs in a hurry powered by Macaibe Carter (2026; MSU West Plains), Adler Flinn (2026; Rend Lake JC), Dawson Eftink (2027), Cash Rhodes (2027), Nolan Roach (2027), and Keegan Brueggeman (2027), alongside two-way standouts Grant Brown (2027) and Drew Parsons (2026; Southeast Missouri State). In addition to their impact at the plate, Brown and Parsons anchor the pitching staff as go-to arms along with Carter Shipman (2026). 

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    NIXA

Nixa has established itself as one of the state's most consistent programs over the last decade, and this spring is no exception despite losing some key pieces from last season. Currently off to an 12-4 start, the Eagles look like state title contenders once again heading into a high-stakes weekend featuring matchups against No. 5 Jackson, No. 7 Rock Bridge, and Platte County. The roster is anchored by two of the premier talents in the state in Adam McKnight (2027) and TCU commit Cameron Miller (2027), a two-way standout who leads the top of the Eagles rotation. They are joined by Wyatt Francis (2027), Wyatt Mabe (2027), Grady Eoff (2027), Rowan Johnson (2027), and Miller McCoy (2028) to form a formidable, gritty lineup that prides itself on selfless play and finding multiple ways to win.

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    PLATTE COUNTY

Coming off their second state championship in the last five years, Platte County is back in the hunt with a 10-5 record and momentum from winning eight of their last ten despite facing some early growing pains after losing a large core of veterans from last season's run. The Pirates are led by Oral Roberts commit Brennan McLaughlin (2026), who serves as the staff ace with a low-90s fastball while providing middle-of-the-order power capable of leaving the yard at any moment. Matthew Cisco (2027), Beckett Hall (2028), and Ian Gold (2026) have delivered strong offensive campaigns in support, while Evan Magnuson (2027), Owen Bane (2026), Brock Dye (2027), and Zachary Brown (2026) round out the pitching staff. The Pirates face a major test this weekend against No. 6 Eureka, No. 7 Rock Bridge, and a rematch with No. 4 Nixa, who will be looking for redemption after falling to Platte County in their previous meeting.

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    ROCK BRIDGE

Despite losing nine seniors and returning just 10% of their at-bats and innings from a 30-9 squad that fell to the eventual state champions, the Bruins haven't skipped a beat this spring, off to a 13-2 start and ranked No. 7 in the Large School rankings. Rock Bridge is anchored by a trio of reliable senior bats in Asher Schulze (State Fair CC), Cole Norden (Allen CC), and Josh Marsh that have been key cogs in the Bruins offensive machine. It's a lineup that is built on speed and relentless pressure, with Kale Castaner (2027) and backstop Finn Cunningham (2027) emerging as reliable contributors at the top of the order. On the mound, Marsh and Nick Oreskovich (2026) have served as the go-to arms for a rotation that has been strong in limiting opposing offenses all spring. As a host site this weekend, the Bruins face a heavy-hitting schedule, kicking off against No. 4 Nixa on Thursday before battling Platte County and No. 5 Jackson on Friday.

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    SMITH-COTTON

A talented and feisty bunch, Smith-Cotton heads into the weekend at 8-9 on the season (pending Wednesday’s matchup against conference foe Hickman) with a challenging slate featuring Grain Valley, No. 11 Willard, and No. 6 Eureka. The Tigers' lineup offers serious thump in the middle of the order with Drew Kindle (2028) and Karson Wiskur (2028), complemented by Kendall Hagedorn (2026; Illinois State), one of the state's premier backstops who excels at controlling the run game. On the mound, Kinzer Chambers (2027), Adam Rowe (2026), and Jayden Archibeque (2026) provide veteran leadership, while Wiskur and Jackson Gilmore (2028) offer crucial innings in relief to round out the staff.

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    STALEY

A year removed from finishing as the Class 6 runner-up, the Falcons are finding their footing after early-season growing pains and a rigorous schedule following the loss of six high-impact seniors. Staley enters the weekend at 6-9, having flashed their ceiling in wins over Platte County and No. 1 Blue Springs South. The offense features some of the state’s premier young talent in Andrew Maultsby (2027), Krue Patrick (2028), and Brady Nelson (2028), supported by seniors Xander Paul and Landon Schreifels and a deep junior group including David Hernandez, Connor Jones, and Brandon Wilson Jr. (2027). On the mound, the Falcons rely on seniors Casen Willenborg (Crowder JC) and Schreifels alongside a strong core of Ayden Boyer (2027), Malachi Coleman (2026), Jones, and Patrick. Staley kicks off the weekend with a marquee matchup against No. 9 Francis Howell before taking on small-school No. 3 Blair Oaks and Hickman.

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    WILLARD

Winning is the standard for Willard, a program that looks like a Class 5 state title contender once again with a 13-4 record against a challenging schedule. The path forward remains rigorous, as the Tigers are set for their Columbia trip where they will face Smith-Cotton, Battle, and No. 13 Fort Zumwalt West. The offense has been explosive, averaging over eight runs per game fueled by Jackson Redd (2027), who is putting together a monster campaign at the top of the order as he continues to march towards double-digit home runs. He is surrounded by a deep cast of run-producers in Jarrett McGee (2026; Missouri Southern), Cade Hayter (2026; Fort Scott CC), Tyler Davis (2026), Levi Hilton (2026; Missouri Southern), and Matthew Burns (2027), all of whom pose a serious extra-base threat every time they step to the plate. On the mound, Hilton, Burns, and Redd form a formidable three-headed monster in the rotation, consistently shutting down opponents with swing-and-miss stuff.

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SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

Rock Bridge High School	Hickman High School	Battle High School
Eureka vs. Platte County - 10:00 AM	Hickman vs. Blair Oaks - 12:00 PM	Battle vs. Fort Zumwalt West - 10:00 AM
Eureka vs. Jackson - 12:30 PM	Francis Howell vs. Staley - 2:30 PM	Fort Zumwalt West vs. Grain Valley - 12:30 PM
Jackson vs. Nixa - 3:00 PM	Hickman vs. Francis Howell - 5:00 PM	Smith-Cotton vs. Grain Valley - 3:00 PM
Nixa vs. Rock Bridge - 5:30 PM		Smith-Cotton vs. Willard - 5:30 PM

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

Rock Bridge High School	Hickman High School	Battle High School
Rock Bridge vs. Platte County - 10:00 AM	Blair Oaks vs. Staley - 12:00 PM	Battle vs. Willard - 12:00 PM
Nixa vs. Platte County - 12:30 PM	Blair Oaks vs. Francis Howell - 2:30 PM	Fort Zumwalt West vs. Willard - 2:30 PM
Rock Bridge vs. Jackson - 3:00 PM	Hickman vs. Staley - 5:00 PM	Battle vs. Grain Valley - 5:00 PM
Eureka vs. Smith-Cotton - 5:30 PM

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

Rock Bridge High School	Hickman High School	Battle High School
13 Seed vs. 14 Seed - 8:00 AM	6 Seed vs. 7 Seed - 9:00 AM	10 Seed vs. 11 Seed - 9:00 AM
2 Seed vs. 3 Seed - 10:30 AM	5 Seed vs. 8 Seed - 11:30 AM	9 Seed vs. 12 Seed - 11:30 AM
1 Seed vs. 4 Seed - 1:00 PM	7th Place Game - 2:00 PM	11th Place Game - 2:00 PM
3rd Place Game - 3:30 PM	5th Place Game - 4:30 PM	9th Place Game - 4:30 PM
Championship - 6:00 PM

** Based on where Rock Bridge, Hickman, and Battle are seeded, brackets are subject to location changes

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