Wisconsin-Milwaukee Athletics

The Milwaukee Athletics secured their place in the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament with a dramatic late-inning victory on Friday, May 23, 2026, thanks to a game-winning home run by junior outfielder Errol Spence.

The win came in a tightly contested matchup against the Wisconsin-Madison Badgers, the Athletics’ in-state rivals and a top-10 ranked team in the Big Ten Conference. Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Spence delivered a clutch two-run homer to left field, sending the Athletics to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.

The Athletics (34-22) will now compete in the Chicago Regional of the NCAA Tournament, marking a significant turnaround for a program that has struggled with consistency in recent seasons. The victory also solidifies their position as a dark-horse contender in the tournament, having finished third in the Big Ten standings behind Wisconsin and Purdue.

Head coach Mark Reynolds praised Spence’s performance, calling it a defining moment for the team.

Spence, a junior, has been a key offensive player for the Athletics this season, batting .312 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs. His game-winning homer was his 13th of the season, tying a career high. The junior outfielder has also been a leader in the clubhouse, helping to elevate the team’s performance in high-pressure situations.

The Athletics will now focus on preparing for their first NCAA Tournament appearance in four years. Their regional matchup includes a potential showdown with a powerhouse team from the Pac-12 Conference, though no specific opponent has been announced.

Reynolds emphasized the importance of the win beyond just the tournament implications, stating that it demonstrated the team’s resilience and ability to perform when it mattered most.

With the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, the Athletics will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for what could be their most successful season in years.

No further details on injuries, coaching changes, or roster adjustments were confirmed at the time of reporting. The team’s next game is scheduled for Monday, May 26, against the Iowa Hawkeyes.