ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Winthrop University Head Baseball Coach Mike McGuire announced the 2026 baseball slate on Wednesday afternoon. 

The 2026 schedule features 56 games that opens with three straight home weekends and includes early tests against multiple power conference opponents before the start of Big South play. 

"We are excited about the schedule we will play in 2026," said McGuire. "While it is certainly challenging, it also offers a good home schedule for our fans and ticket holders, and provides some unique experiences like our three-game series at Auburn and our trip out west" 

The Eagles open the season with a three-game home series against Georgetown from Feb. 13-15 at Founders Field. Winthrop steps away briefly on Feb. 18 for a midweek road matchup at NC State in Raleigh, marking the team's first Power Four test of the year, before returning home to resume its extended homestand. 

Morehead State visits Rock Hill for a three-game series from Feb. 20-22, followed by a Monday contest against Marshall on Feb. 23. Maine then arrives for a full weekend series from Feb. 27-March 1 as the Eagles wrap 10 home dates in the first 11 games of the season. 

Winthrop heads to Greenville on March 3 for a neutral-site showdown with Michigan State at Fluor Field before traveling south for a three-game SEC road test at Auburn on March 6-8. The Eagles return home for a two-game midweek set against Princeton on March 10-11, then open Big South play with Radford from March 13-15 in Rock Hill. 

A West Coast swing follows, starting with a March 17 game at Pacific in Stockton and continuing with a three-game series starting on March 19 against Sacramento State. The Eagles return to Rock Hill for a March 24 home date with Davidson before hosting Charleston Southern for a three-game Big South series from March 27-29. A home meeting with College of Charleston on March 31 sets up another weekend at Founders Field as Western Carolina visits for a three-game set from April 2-4. 

Winthrop hosts The Citadel on April 8 before beginning a three-game road series at Presbyterian from April 10-12. The Eagles then return home for six straight, starting with USC Upstate from April 17-19 and a midweek rematch against Elon on April 21. 

The final stretch of the season loads up on road challenges. Winthrop travels to Gardner-Webb for an April 24-26 conference series, then hosts North Carolina A&T on April 28 before a three-game trip to UNC Asheville from May 1-3. A midweek showdown in North Carolina awaits on May 6, followed by a conference road series at High Point from May 8-10 and a second Power Five matchup at South Carolina on May 12. 

The Eagles close the regular season at home, hosting Longwood for a three-game series from May 14-16 at Founders Field. The Big South Baseball Championship is set to begin on May 20 in Asheville, N.C. at McCormack Field. 

"The schedule is an important part of recruiting; kids want to play the best," states McGuire. "I think we are showing that this program won't back down from anybody, but also kids want experiences and want some opportunities that maybe not every program can provide" 

"We are fortunate to be able to schedule some good road trips and experiences not just this year, but in the future as well." 

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