2026 Playoff Preview

By Ellie Rand

The 2026 Cal Ripken Sr. League playoffs begin Thursday, as the bottom four seeds square off in winner-take-all play-in games. Learn more about the playoff format and schedule here.

Here’s everything you need to know about all eight playoff teams. 

1. Olney Cropdusters (26-12, 1st in North)

The Olney Cropdusters claimed the North Division title and Cal Ripken Sr. League Regular Season Championship after a dramatic comeback victory over the Bethesda Big Train on July 22, turning an 8-5 deficit into an 11-8 win with a six-run eighth inning. The victory not only completed Olney’s climb up the standings but also gave the Cropdusters the division lead after Bethesda had held first place for the last three weeks. Olney has been one of the most complete in the CRSCBL, combining one of the league’s most dangerous offenses with a pitching staff that has reliably delivered quality outings. They rank near the top of the league in nearly every offensive category, scoring 311 runs while batting .279 with a .425 on-base percentage, a .415 slugging percentage, and a league-leading 32 home runs. Their ability to create pressure throughout the lineup has made them one of the toughest offenses to contain, with multiple players capable of changing the game in one swing.

Their final regular season win highlighted exactly why Olney’s lineup is so dangerous. Outfielder Cade Walter (Jacksonville) delivered one of the biggest performances of the summer, going 3-for-4 with three home runs and seven RBIs in the comeback victory over Bethesda. Walter has become a premier offensive threat, ranking among the league leaders with a .351 batting average, 38 RBIs, six home runs, and a .639 slugging percentage. His combination of power and plate discipline has made him the centerpiece of Olney’s lineup. Behind Walter, the Cropdusters have received steady production from several key contributors. Patrick Gozdan (West Chester) has provided consistency, notching 18 RBIs and hitting .321, along with Logan Baratta (Jacksonville, .318 average) and Andrew Duncan (Duke, .302 average). Ryan Bouma (Frostburg State) has also supplied middle-of-the-order power, logging five home runs with 23 RBIs.

On the mound, Olney has relied on pitchers who have kept games within reach and allowed the offense to take over late. Matt Levari (La Salle) was one of the league’s top starters, posting a 2.25 ERA while winning three games, tied for the league lead. Logan Hartman (Jacksonville) followed closely behind, owning a 2.33 ERA and 23 strikeouts in seven starts, giving Olney quality innings. Ben Jones (West Chester) has also become a key piece, posting a 3.00 ERA over 18 innings. With the division title secured, Olney enters the postseason with confidence, momentum, and arguably the most dangerous offense.

The Cropdusters have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. They'll host the lowest remaining seed for Game 1 of the semifinal series starting on Saturday. 

2. Bethesda Big Train (25-12, 2nd in North)

For nearly the entire second half of the season, the Bethesda Big Train appeared to have control of the North Division race. After taking over first place on July 9, Bethesda held the top spot for three weeks while building the league’s most impressive resume. However, the division race came down to the final game between the league’s top powerhouses. The Cropdusters’ late rally pushed the Big Train into the No. 2 seed. Despite falling just short of the division title, Bethesda remains the most complete team in the CRSCBL. The Big Train have dominated all season offensively, leading the league in runs scored (317), batting average (.304), on-base percentage (.438), and slugging percentage (.450).

Catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) set the tone at the plate, leading the league with a .388 batting average while reaching base at an impressive .580 clip. Third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) has been just as impressive, hitting .374 with 15 RBIs and a .538 slugging percentage. The Big Train also received standout power production from outfielder Zachary Malvasio (UCF), who emerged as one of the league’s most dangerous hitters. Malvasio finished with a league-best nine home runs while driving in 31 runs and posting a .627 slugging percentage. Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) has been a steady middle-of-the-order presence, leading the team with 33 RBIs while batting .339 on the season. Cal Johnson (Maryland) has also provided power, launching six home runs and 30 RBIs.

On the mound, Bethesda has gotten consistency from its pitching staff. Left-hander Charlie Hoagland (East Carolina) has been the team’s top starter, posting a 3.12 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 34.2 innings. Out of the bullpen, Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic) posted a 3.32 ERA with a league-best 3 saves across 21.2 innings. The road to a championship still runs through Bethesda as they seek to capture yet another Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League title. The Big Train earned their 12th championship in 2025, completing a remarkable three-peat following league titles in 2023 and 2024. They’re hungry to do it again.

The Big Train also have a bye straight to the semifinals. They'll face the highest remaining seed for Game 1 of the semifinal series starting on Saturday. 

3. Southern Maryland Senators (23-14, 1st in South)

The Southern Maryland Senators authored one of the league’s biggest turnaround stories in 2026. After finishing behind the Aces in the South Division for their first few seasons, Southern Maryland broke through, capturing the division title with a 23-14 record. The Senators consistently responded to adversity, never allowing a tough stretch to derail their summer. After sitting just above .500 early in June, they caught fire with statement victories over Bethesda (18-9), Olney (16-11), and Alexandria (19-5), establishing themselves as the team to beat in the South. Even after a brief skid in early July, the Senators answered by winning six of their final eight games. 

The Senators’ lineup thrived on speed, timely hitting, and depth. CRSCBL All-Star Chase Fulford (Binghamton) was the catalyst, batting .350 while leading the league with 27 stolen bases. His ability to pressure opposing defenses changed games, while Cole Rhame (Richmond) quietly put together an outstanding season, hitting .324 with 26 runs scored and 25 RBIs. James Layman (Xavier) finished the season hot, tallying multiple hits in six of his final 10 games en route to Week 7 Player of the Week honors. 

While the offense delivered throughout the summer, the Senators’ pitching staff was the club’s biggest strength. Conlan Taylor (Binghamton) was nearly untouchable out of the bullpen, leading the league with a microscopic 0.38 ERA while earning three wins and two saves over 24 innings. Brody Juntunen (Florida Atlantic) was one of the league’s premier starters, leading the CRSCBL with four wins and 37 strikeouts while posting a 3.24 ERA across 33.1 innings. Will Petteys (Georgia State) added another dominant arm, finishing second in the league with 34 strikeouts in just seven appearances. The Senators are clearly capable of making a deep playoff run.

The Senators will host a single elimination Wild Card game against the lowest remaining seed on Friday. The winner will advance to the semifinals. 

4. Metro South County Braves (18-20, 2nd in South)

The Metro South County Braves were one of the league’s most difficult teams to figure out. On any given night, they looked capable of beating the league’s best—collecting wins over Bethesda, Olney, and Southern Maryland—but consistency ultimately kept them from climbing higher in the standings. The Braves finished 18-20 to secure the final play-in round bye. When their bats came alive, Metro South County could overwhelm opponents, as evidenced by a 15-0 shutout of Alexandria and a 15-6 victory over Gaithersburg. The challenge came on the other side of the ball. The Braves surrendered 256 runs across 39 completed games—an average of more than six runs per contest.

Metro South County leaned heavily on a handful of standout hitters. Robert Kelly (Monmouth) put together an outstanding offensive season, leading all hitters with 41 RBIs while finishing fifth in the league with a .362 average. He also counted five home runs, finishing among the league leaders and serving as the unquestioned centerpiece of the Braves’ offense. Shortstop Nadav Machlin (Paris JC) led the team with a .372 average while posting a .505 on-base percentage, consistently setting the table at the top of the order. Unfortunately for the Braves, Machlin returned home for international play before the start of the playoffs. Behind those two superstars, Collin Lott (Northern State) chipped in a .320 average and 18 RBIs.

On the mound, Metro South County received solid performances from Gavin Elliot (Marymount), Tommy Blackburn (Christopher Newport), and Evan Nix (Virginia Military Institute). Blackburn led the charge with a 2.53 ERA and 26 strikeouts, Elliot posted a 3.38 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 32 innings, and Nix posted a 2.63 ERA in relief. But Metro South County lacked the pitching depth that characterized the league’s top contenders, often forcing the offense to win high-scoring games. If Kelly and the heart of the lineup continue producing at the plate, Metro South County has enough firepower to challenge anyone in the postseason.

The Braves will host a single elimination Wild Card game against the highest remaining seed on Friday. The winner will advance to the semifinals. 

5. Gaithersburg Giants (17-21, 3rd in North)

The Gaithersburg Giants may not have finished with a winning record, but they proved all season they were capable of playing spoiler against anyone in the league. Early in the summer, the Giants knocked off both Bethesda and Olney during a strong opening stretch as the best team in the league. Consistency ultimately proved exclusive, however, as Gaithersburg struggled to sustain momentum in the highly competitive North Division and finished 17-21. Even so, the Giants closed the regular season on a high note, winning their final two games with convincing victories over Metro South County (15-6 and 12-2). Their ability to hang with top competition makes them a dangerous opponent entering the playoffs despite their record.

Unlike some of the league’s more star-heavy offenses, Gaithersburg relied on contributions throughout the lineup. Ayden Phillips (Jacksonville) emerged as the club’s offensive leader, batting .363 while driving in 28 runs and collecting eight doubles. Cole McKenna (Old Dominion) was another steady force, hitting .333 with a .481 OBP, while Ryan Strnad (Seton Hall) supplied run production from behind the plate, batting .304 with 22 RBIs. Breyden Ruiz-Weiss (Yale) provided speed and versatility, batting .300 while finishing as one of the league leaders with 18 stolen bases.

On the mound, Owen Singer (Marymount) developed into one of the Giants’ most effective starters, posting a 2.49 ERA while earning three wins in seven appearances. Out of the bullpen, Nathan Murphy (George Washington) strung together an outstanding campaign, recording a 1.59 ERA and striking out 13 batters in just 11.1 innings. While Gaithersburg enters the playoffs as an underdog, they’ve already shown they can beat the league’s top teams.

The Giants host the Thunderbolts in a single elimination play-in game on Thursday. The winner advances to the Wild Card game on Friday. 

6. Alexandria Aces (16-21, 3rd in South)

The Alexandria Aces’ season was one of missed opportunities. They finished 16-21, placing third in the South Division, but their record doesn’t fully capture how dangerous they could be on any given night. The Aces opened the summer by winning five of their first seven games, highlighted by victories over the Braves, D.C. Grays, and Giants. Throughout the season, they proved they could compete with any team, earning wins over every South Division opponent and even handing Bethesda Big Train a loss. However, a 3-7 record over their final 10 games prevented them from making a late push up the standings.

Offensively, Alexandria had plenty of firepower. The Aces posted a .277 team batting average and .403 on-base percentage, while scoring 232 runs. Hunter White (West Liberty) emerged as one of the league’s most dangerous middle-of-the-order hitters, finishing among the CRSCBL leaders with 30 RBIs and five home runs. Daniel McGinnis (Shepherd) put together one of the most reliable offensive seasons in the league, batting .354, while UPenn standouts Jack Warner (.330) and Matthew Pazak (.286) helped give the lineup depth. Elijah Grant (Presbyterian) added another dynamic element, swiping 25 stolen bases, second-most in the league, and routinely providing scoring opportunities.

Alexandria struggled on the mound at times, but had plenty of bright spots on the pitching staff. Brody Shawn (High Point) was outstanding out of the bullpen, posting a 1.56 ERA, while Braxtyn Vackar (Southeastern) filled multiple roles, racking up 30 strikeouts along with two saves over 15 appearances. If Alexandria can find greater dependability on the mound to complement a capable lineup, the foundation is there for the Aces to take a significant step forward in the playoffs.

The Aces host the Grays in a single elimination play-in game on Thursday. The winner advances to the Wild Card game on Friday. 

7. D.C. Grays (14-24, 4th in South)

The D.C. Grays’ 2026 season was defined by flashes of potential, but a lack of consistency on both sides of the ball kept them from making a serious push in the South Division. The Grays finished 14-24, ending the year near the bottom of the standings, but their record does not completely reflect the competitiveness they showed throughout the summer. When playing their best baseball, D.C. proved they could compete with the league’s top teams.

One of the biggest positives for D.C. was the emergence of Sam Corbin (Macalester), who became the clear anchor of the pitching staff. Corbin ranked at the top of the league in several pitching categories, finishing tied for the league lead with four wins, while also recording 30 strikeouts, fourth-most in the CRSCBL.

D.C.’s lineup was anchored by Joey Chitla (William and Mary), who hit .354 with a .469 on-base percentage, while Carter Sweeney-Strawberry (Rutgers) provided a spark in limited action, batting .342 with a .561 on-base percentage. The challenge for the Grays was finding enough depth behind top contributors. The lineup often lacked the consistency needed to sustain close rallies throughout games.

The Grays face the Aces in a single elimination play-in game on Thursday. The winner advances to the Wild Card game on Friday. 

8. Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (11-26, 4th in North)

While the Thunderbolts sit at the bottom of the North Division, their offense has shown flashes of being one of the league’s more productive. They have generated 250 scored runs, a .266 team batting average, a .399 on-base percentage, and a .364 slugging percentage. The biggest question has been whether their pitching staff can keep pace. 

The offense was led by Mason Kelleher (Frostburg State), who has been a consistently powerful presence. The catcher hit .410 in limited time, with a .500 on-base percentage and a .508 slugging percentage. Gabriel Pegues (Lynchburg), named Week 4 Hitter of the Week on June 29, was another major contributor, batting .317 with 25 runs batted in, three home runs, and 15 extra-base hits. The Thunderbolts also have several other contributors capable of changing games, including Trent Lopez (Cornell) with a .300 average, four home runs, and a .620 slugging percentage, Matthew Kim (Hampden-Sydney) tallying a .292 average, along with Caleb Sturtevant (Millersville) posting a .281 average with two home runs. 

The Thunderbolts surrendered 368 runs in the regular season, nearly 10 runs allowed per game. EJ Youngling (Moravian) has made the most appearances among their starters, posting a 4.57 ERA over 21.2 innings. The team has shown its ability to compete when bats are clicking, including scoring 20 runs against Alexandria and putting up 15 runs against Gaithersburg, but the pitching struggles have made it difficult to sustain momentum.

The Thunderbolts face the Giants in a single elimination play-in game on Thursday. The winner advances to the Wild Card game on Friday.