Boston College will play Liberty University in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament at Foley Field in Athens, Georgia, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. on May 29. The matchup features Boston College as a No. 2 seed and Liberty as a No. 3 seed, both seeking to advance through the regional bracket.
Liberty’s baseball program has seen significant growth since transitioning from NAIA to NCAA competition, highlighted by early successes under coach Al “Red” Worthington and multiple conference championships and tournament appearances over the past three decades. Head coach Bradley LeCroy leads a team known for its strong pitching staff and aggressive base running, including leftfielder Nick Barone, who led the team with 12 home runs and 55 RBI while posting a high stolen base rate.
Boston College head coach Todd Interdonato said, “It’s just a really good baseball team. The more I look at them, the more impressed I am with them. I’m familiar with [head coach Bradley LeCroy]; our coaching career has kind of crossed over a good bit. I know it’s just a very solid, very fundamental [team]. Their pitching is exceptional. I have an anticipation of who they’re going to throw, and I think that their kid has one of the best arms that we’ll see this year.” Interdonato also discussed how BC’s own strengths may help counter Liberty’s style: “Everyone’s got strengths and weaknesses,” explained Interdonato. “Our park, metrically, is one of the hardest baseball fields in college baseball to hit a home run… you have to look at a place like [Foley Field] and know that the ball might carry a little more.”
Liberty’s likely starting pitcher for Friday is Ben Blair, whose fastball sits in the mid-90s mph range with movement considered professional grade; he posted 106 strikeouts against only 17 walks over nearly ninety innings this season. Interdonato said about Blair, “How aggressive he is, and how competitive he is, that was what came off the film on me… his ability to go out and attack people… it’s that ability to attack that jumped out to me.” The Flames’ pitching depth includes Bradley Zayac and relievers Tyler August and Cooper Harrington.
Weather could be an issue during Friday’s game as rain is forecasted for later in the day; moving up start time may help avoid delays due to expected afternoon showers.
Following Boston College vs. Liberty at noon will be top-seeded Georgia facing Long Island University at Foley Field later in the day; both games are available via ESPN+ streaming service.
