KINGSPORT, Tennessee | SESNsports.com | April 28, 2026 — Fans can watch the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Baseball Tournament free and live on the Southeast Sports Network (SESN). The five-day, 10-team double-elimination event begins Tuesday, April 28 and runs through Saturday, May 2 at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tennessee, bringing together the conference’s top programs with a trip to the NAIA postseason on the line.
Milligan enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed after capturing the AAC regular-season championship with a 22-5 conference record. Johnson and Tennessee Wesleyan follow closely behind, each posting 20-win conference campaigns, while Spartanburg Methodist rounds out the top four in a field defined by depth and competitive balance across the standings.
2026 AAC Baseball Tournament
Hunter Wright Stadium – Kingsport, Tennessee
April 28 – May 2, 2026
Format: Double Elimination
Television: SESNsports.com, NSBNsports.com
Television Talent: Mark Shelley, Lorenzo Robinson
The AAC Baseball Tournament utilizes a modified double-elimination format similar to the Big XII Tournament structure, with the top two seeds receiving byes on the opening day. The format places immediate pressure on early-round matchups while rewarding higher seeds with a strategic path deeper into the bracket, emphasizing pitching depth, bullpen management, and situational execution over the course of the week.
The tournament field features a mix of nationally competitive programs and emerging contenders capable of making extended runs. Pikeville and Bryan enter as evenly matched mid-seeds after splitting conference results, while Reinhardt secured the No. 7 seed with a series sweep over Montreat, setting up key early-round matchups. Columbia International and Truett McConnell round out the bracket, each looking to navigate the elimination format and build momentum through the week.
With multiple teams possessing the ability to string together wins, the AAC Tournament serves as a critical proving ground heading into the NAIA postseason. The extended format rewards consistency across multiple games, placing added importance on roster depth and late-game execution as teams compete for positioning and postseason advancement.
HOW TO WATCH FREE TELEVISION COVERAGE
TV: Free Sports on the Southeast Sports Network
Stream: Fire TV, SESNsports.com, Twitch, YouTube
Television Talent: Mark Shelley, Lorenzo Robinson
SESN’s coverage will span the entirety of the tournament, from opening-round matchups through the championship rounds, delivering consistent play-by-play, analysis, and storytelling across each game window. Operated by Schray Media, the Southeast Sports Network will stream all games across multiple digital platforms, providing accessible, high-quality coverage for fans, coaches, and programs throughout the region.
All games will also be simulcast nationally on affiliate network the National Sports Broadcast Network (NSBN), expanding the reach of the AAC Baseball Tournament beyond the Southeast. Additional distribution across SESN and NSBN platforms ensures broad access for viewers, while conferences, athletic departments, and media partners can explore rebroadcast opportunities through the network.
Can’t make it to the game? The Southeast Sports Network (SESN) has you covered. Operated by Schray Media, SESN, will broadcast the game live and free across multiple free digital platforms. Viewers can watch live on SESNsports.com, SESN‘s website or mobile app, or tune in via YouTube, Twitch, and Amazon Fire TV. The network’s coverage includes professional-quality production, live commentary, and real-time storytelling throughout the event.
All coverage of the event will be simulcast nationally on affiliate network the National Sports Broadcast Network (NSBN), expanding the reach of the event well beyond the Southeast. Additional viewing options include the SESNsports.com streaming portals, NSBN Twitch, and the official YouTube channels of both brands. Athletic departments, conferences, and local television groups are encouraged to inquire about local rebroadcast rights.
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