No. 8 UW-La Crosse headed to the NCAA tournament, looking to get back to College World Series for 2nd time in 3 seasons
The eighth-ranked UW-La Crosse baseball team isn’t just “headed” back to the NCAA Division III tournament. The Eagles are hosting Round 1, beginning Friday.
UW-L (33-9) received an at-large bid to the tournament Monday morning, and will host the three-day regional beginning with unranked Bethany Lutheran (29-12) at 11 a.m. Friday at Copeland Park.
This is the ninth NCAA tournament appearance for the Eagles — eighth under coach Chris Schwarz — and third consecutive showing. UW-L is looking to get back to the College World Series for the second time in three seasons and third time in school history.
To do that, they’ll need to first get out of the double-elimination regional.
After their game Friday, Game 2 happens at 2:30 p.m. between Buena Vista (Iowa / 33-10) — which is ranked just outside the Top 25 — and No. 16 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif./ 31-12).
Whoever loses these games will play at 11 a.m. Saturday, eliminating the first team. The winners of Friday’s games play at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday will conclude with the second elimination game at 6:30 p.m.
The regional will wrap up Sunday with the championship round beginning at 11 a.m. — and a second game played 45 minutes after if necessary.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – UW-La Crosse’s Mac Born swings at a pitch in the WIAC tournament against UW-O on May 8, 2025 (PHOTO: Keara Chaperon, UWL Athletics)