The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers and Atrium Health Ballpark are set to revive the tradition of their Collegiate Series this 2026, as announced with a lineup promising a robust month of college baseball in March. Teams from Division I, Division II and a group of Division III competitors are hitting the diamond for fans anticipating the sport's return. In the lineup, Division I standouts like the Charlotte 49ers and Virginia Cavaliers inaugurate the series of games, while Division II will see a face-off between the Catawba Indians and the Francis Marion Patriots.
Launching into a domain rich with the promise of NCAA talent, the first Division I clash presents the Charlotte 49ers facing off against the Virginia Cavaliers on March 4, with the game scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start; the 49ers boast preseason All-Conference selections, having INF Dawson Bryce hailed as Preseason Player of the Year and following a robust 2025 season under head coach Robert Woodard, they recorded a 36-22 win-loss slate, the Cavaliers, on the other hand, carry the momentum of a previous national 4th rank into the forthcoming games. Subsequently, Davidson Wildcats and Lehigh Mountain Hawks are slated for a March 7 duel, with Davidson seeking redemption following a heavy defeat in last year's series and Lehigh poised for a first-time showing in Kannapolis after ending a previous season on a challenging note against Holy Cross Crusaders in tournament play, according to the statement obtained by KannapolisNC.gov.
Beyond these matchups, on March 10, Queens and Notre Dame are set for competition in Kannapolis; the Royals, guided by head coach Jake Hendrick, strive for victory after fallen efforts against other schools, while the Fighting Irish, under the leadership of Shawn Stiffler, eye the season following a 32-21 record finish. The series caps with a solo Division II game on March 24, where Catawba, coming off an impressive championship win and a near Super Regional victory, hosts Francis Marion, a team that similarly poised themselves as a formidable force in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll, this one alongside North Greenville University.
For those eager to bask in the pageantry of early collegiate competition, Atrium Health Ballpark opens its gates free of charge for the annual D3 Showcase; this three-day baseball extravaganza unfolds starting February 20, showcasing schools like Washington & Lee University, Piedmont University, and several others in what promises to be a spectacle of raw, unproven talent. Detailed schedules for the showcase can be found on the Cannon Ballers' official website, where tickets for the complete 2026 Collegiate Series are also now available for purchase, with seats starting at just $10 and Cannon Ballers season ticket holders receiving complimentary access to the games this spring.
In the meantime, fans of the local team can look forward to the upcoming Cannon Ballers season; while single-game ticket availability is yet to be announced, those keen on securing their place at upcoming games can already explore available season ticket packages, group experiences, or opt for 10-game mini plans, with further information readily accessible through the Cannon Ballers ticket office or by visiting their website.
