HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) — Jacksonville State enters the Hattiesburg Regional as a three-seed with 46 wins, a Conference USA championship, and a top 25 RPI.
Head coach Steve Bieser says the heart of the team is its culture.
That culture has a strong connection to Jones College. Four former Bobcats have become important pieces for Jacksonville State this year: Brady Thomas, Beau Bryans, Connor Brooks, and Colton Hegwood.
This weekend, they return to a place that still feels like home.
“This is awesome. We’re going to hit in the cages at Jones on Saturday. We get to work out at a place that we’re super familiar with. They did such a good job preparing us in every way, on the field, off the field. I couldn’t thank Wes Thigpen enough. They do a great job over there, and we’re ready,” Brooks said.
Bryans described the Jones College program as blue-collar.
“A lot of hard work, day in, day out. They just produce. You go there, you develop. You know if you want to play baseball when you go there, you decide this is what you are meant to do,” Bryans said.
Thomas said the homecoming is meaningful.
“It feels really good. A lot of families are going to be here. I know that. A lot of fans should be showing up. It’s pretty neat that we get to go over there and handle business and make it to the Super Regionals,” Thomas said.
The 2026 Hattiesburg Regional is Jacksonville State’s first NCAA Regional appearance since 2019.
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