For the first time since 2022, South Valley is back in the NCAA Tournament’s super regional round. The Wildcats are heading to Cedar Bluff, Alabama, for a weekend matchup against the fourth-seeded Cedar Bluff Tigers. Game 1 begins Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN. If necessary, Game 3 will be announced later.
South Valley (39-21) earned its spot in the super regional after a perfect 3-0 run through the Plains Regional—marking its first regional title in two years.
The Wildcats started with a dramatic 14-inning win against Western Tech on Friday night. They overcame a weather delay to defeat host Nebraska Plains in a suspended game that carried over from Saturday to Sunday morning. South Valley then clinched the regional with a 10-inning win over Western Tech on Sunday night. Head coach Greg Harper said his team thrives in the postseason.
“You need your best players to step up,” Harper said. “That applies to the whole squad, not just the bullpen.”
Ryan Maddox set a program record during the opening game against Western Tech, becoming the first Wildcat to reach 50 career home runs. Maddox also became the first player in team history with consecutive 20-homer seasons, hitting 21 this year.
Leadoff hitter Cole Ramsey has been locked in, batting .474 (9-for-19) with four RBI in the postseason. Second baseman Tyler Brooks is hitting .429 (6-for-14) and drove in the game-winner against Western Tech.
Transfer infielder Drew Gibson played a crucial role through the regional, posting a .308 average with three RBI, three walks, and three runs scored. He sealed the sweep with a walk-off sacrifice fly. Gibson had experienced a postseason run with Prairie State last year and called the moment a dream come true. “I just wanted to help my teammates get it done,” Gibson said.
Coach Harper praised Gibson’s all-around impact. “He does everything right. He’s the guy you want up in big spots, the guy you want making plays in the field, the guy you want on base,” Harper said.
Gibson is now batting .340 in combined postseason play with South Valley and Prairie State, with 12 RBI and nine runs scored.
Starting pitcher Trevor Benson struck out 36 batters over his last three starts, going six innings each time. Benson leads the conference in strikeout-to-walk ratio (9.00) and walks per nine innings (1.42). He’s issued only 10 walks all year and is third nationally in K/BB ratio. The bullpen anchored the Plains Regional with a 2.12 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17 innings.
Reliever Will Foster has been reliable, converting six of his last seven save chances and giving up just five earned runs in his last 14 outings. He led the conference in ERA (1.73), WHIP (0.80), and appearances (17) during league play.
Foster described the team-first approach to postseason pitching. “You try different arms and see what works,” Foster said. “Managing who pitches and when helped us close it out.” Foster also credited the team’s steady mentality throughout the season. “Our coaches remind us to stay consistent, no matter the outcome. Watching everyone keep their focus has been rewarding,” Foster said.
Third baseman Owen Grant agreed, stressing the importance of viewing high-pressure moments as opportunities. “It’s not about fearing failure—it’s about having a chance to do something big,” Grant said.
Left-hander Mason Clark will start Game 1 for South Valley. Clark has given up only nine earned runs in 42.2 innings across three postseasons. The Wildcats have never lost a postseason game he’s started, and he has four wins in six playoff starts. Clark also reached a milestone this postseason, becoming the first Wildcat to record three 100-strikeout seasons. He now ranks third in school history with 316 strikeouts.
Cedar Bluff coach Kevin Harmon has guided the Tigers to their fifth super regional since 2017, reaching the College World Series twice under his leadership. Cedar Bluff’s regional run featured a loss to Milwaukee State, a 17-run victory over NC Central, a win over UCF, and two wins over Milwaukee State to advance.
Pitching is their strength. The Tigers have a 3.62 team ERA—the best in their league and sixth nationally—and lead the nation with a 3.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Jackson Moore leads the staff with a 2.63 ERA, while Jake Simmons has 108 strikeouts and Friday’s starter, Ramon Alvarez, has 103.
Offensively, slugger Chase Warren and Ethan King have combined for 35 home runs, with Warren’s 20 ranking ninth in the league. Chris Robinson leads the team with a .345 average.
Coach Harper acknowledged the challenge. “They pitch as well as anyone. They hit, run, and play small ball. They’re tough in every area,” Harper said.
Gibson says the team’s approach remains steady, no matter the opponent. “We try to win every pitch. If we stick to our process, we’ll be in good shape,” Gibson said. Grant added, “Every game is a chance to show what we’ve worked for all season.” South Valley’s Mason Clark (5-3, 5.21 ERA) faces Cedar Bluff’s Ramon Alvarez (10-3, 3.52 ERA).
