Omaha, Nebraska - The margins get smaller this time of year.

A deep lineup matters, but so does a well-executed bunt in the sixth inning. Power plays, but so does a pitcher who can settle a game down when momentum starts drifting. State tournament baseball has a way of rewarding the teams that stay composed the longest.

That’s what makes this year’s Nebraska Class B field so interesting.

There’s no shortage of talent here. The bracket is filled with experienced programs, breakout underclassmen, reliable frontline arms, and offenses capable of putting pressure on opponents quickly. Some teams arrive with championship expectations. Others arrive carrying the confidence that comes from surviving difficult district games just to get here.

Either way, nobody is easing into Omaha.

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>> CLICK HERE for the full 2026 NSAA state tournament schedule and bracket

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Bracket 1:

#1 Skutt Catholic Skyhawks (24-5) 

Skutt Catholic enters the tournament looking every bit like a team built for a deep run.

The Skyhawks have spent the season winning with balance. They’ve handled a difficult schedule, collected quality wins, and leaned on one of the strongest pitching combinations in the bracket. In a short postseason setting, that matters.

Florida State commit Bubba Day has been one of the state’s premier two-way players, hitting .439 while also striking out 51 hitters across 35 innings on the mound. Lucas Heller continues to be one of the toughest outs in Class B with a .418 average and a .570 on-base percentage, while Sean Hipsher and Iowa Western commit Cooper Smith add more depth to an already dangerous lineup.

The pitching staff gives Skutt real staying power.

Easton Elam has been dominant all spring, posting a sub-0.50 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. Pairing him with Day gives the Skyhawks a difficult one-two combination for opponents to navigate.

There’s a reason Skutt enters as the top seed.

#8 Lincoln Pius X Thunderbolts (18-13)

Pius X arrives in Omaha as the lower seed, but the Thunderbolts have already shown they’re comfortable playing under pressure.

Their district run featured timely hitting and enough resilience to earn a spot in the bracket, and there’s legitimate power in this lineup capable of changing a game quickly.

Iowa Western commit Kai Vanis headlines the offense after hitting .382 with nine home runs, while Samuel Aschwege has been another steady contributor throughout the spring.

On the mound, Lucas Newton has provided valuable innings and strikeout ability, recording 33 strikeouts in just over 30 innings.

Pius X may enter as an underdog, but teams with power and confidence tend to become dangerous quickly in tournament settings.

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#4 Gretna East Griffins (19-9)

Defending champions rarely sneak up on anyone.

Gretna East understands what this week requires because the Griffins have already gone through it once before. That experience matters, especially in close games late in the tournament.

The lineup has enough veteran production to create difficult matchups throughout the order. Iowa Central commit Kasen Brown is hitting .392 with 15 extra-base hits, while Cloud County CC commit Carson Herrmann has added another consistent middle-of-the-order presence.

The pitching staff continues to give Gretna East a chance every time it takes the field. Chase Neneman has piled up 49 strikeouts in 41 innings, while Drew Baratta has quietly put together an undefeated season on the mound.

The Griffins may not carry the same record as some others in the field, but they’ve already proven they know how to navigate May baseball.

#5 Gross Catholic Cougars (21-6)

Gross Catholic enters the postseason after putting together one of the best regular seasons in program history.

The Cougars won 21 games through consistency, quality pitching, and a lineup that found ways to produce throughout the year. That kind of confidence can carry into a tournament quickly.

Robbie Brennan, Andrew Johanek, and Logan Legner have all been key pieces offensively, helping create a balanced lineup without many easy outs.

On the mound, Charlie Yeshnowski has emerged as one of the more dependable arms in Class B, going 6-1 with a 1.25 ERA and 50 strikeouts across more than 50 innings.

Gross Catholic doesn’t overwhelm teams with flash. It just plays solid baseball, and that travels well in Omaha.

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Bracket 2:

#2 Elkhorn North Wolves (23-5)

Elkhorn North enters the tournament with the look of a team that’s been sharpened by its schedule.

The Wolves have spent the spring playing high-level competition and responding with a balanced style built around contact hitting, pitching depth, and aggressive baserunning.

Connor Wurdeman leads the offense with a .407 average, while Jake Janssen continues to get on base at a high rate and pressure defenses. Austin McMurtry and Keegan Driever add more depth to a lineup that consistently puts the ball in play.

The pitching depth may ultimately define this group.

Garrett Ringenberg, Jack Settles, and Ian Christo have all delivered strong seasons, giving Elkhorn North multiple reliable options capable of handling high-leverage innings.

There’s a completeness to this roster that makes the Wolves one of the tougher outs in the bracket.

#7 Seward Bluejays (20-6)

Seward feels like one of the more dangerous lower seeds in the field.

The Bluejays have enough pitching to stay in games and enough offensive production to make opponents uncomfortable late. They’ve played well against quality competition and enter the tournament with real momentum.

Brycen Burt has starred as a true two-way presence, hitting .387 while also striking out 57 hitters in 49 innings. Karson Dryer and Quinn Hibbert have both added consistency at the plate throughout the season.

The pitching depth stands out immediately.

Deklan Lindau has recorded 65 strikeouts in just over 41 innings, while freshman Landon Pelster has already emerged as another important arm with swing-and-miss ability.

Seward has the kind of roster capable of turning a close game into a problem quickly.

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#3 Platte Valley Broncos (22-3)

Few teams in the state enter hotter than Platte Valley.

The record speaks for itself, but so does the way the Broncos have won games. The offense has consistently applied pressure, while the pitching staff has controlled tempo throughout the season.

Cael Smith and Hunter Hatzenbuelher have helped anchor the lineup, while sophomore Wave Cerny has emerged as another major offensive contributor hitting nearly .400.

On the mound, Carson Hollst has been one of the most dominant pitchers in Class B, going 8-0 with a 0.38 ERA and 61 strikeouts across 55 innings.

Platte Valley has looked comfortable playing with expectations all season. Now comes the hardest part.

#6 Lincoln Standing Bear Grizzlies (19-9)

Lincoln Standing Bear earned its way into the field through consistency and toughness.

The Grizzlies may not generate as many headlines as some of the higher seeds, but they’ve put together quality wins throughout the year and bring an experienced group into Omaha.

Gavin Bullock leads the offense with a .425 average, while Jackson Froeschl and Brody Hiatt have both supplied extra-base production and run creation throughout the lineup.

Southeast CC commit Renton Laholt anchors the pitching staff after posting a 2.01 ERA across 38.1 innings.

Standing Bear feels like the type of team that can hang around deep into games and make things uncomfortable late.

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That’s usually where state tournament baseball gets interesting.

A couple swings. One shutdown start. One defensive play that changes an inning.

By the end of the week, somebody will leave Werner Park with a trophy. The path there looks crowded.

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