Preview: 10th Annual Frisco Classic Features Elite Arms and High-Octane Bats

The 10th annual Frisco Classic begins tomorrow, continuing a tradition of premier college baseball at Riders Field. I have covered this event since 2020—just before the pandemic halted the sports world—and while I often get a behind-the-scenes look, the public experience remains a can’t-miss weekend. 

The tournament is consistently well run and offers a spectacular atmosphere of college baseball.

This year’s classic features several compelling storylines, headlined by some of the most dominant individual performances in the country.

Oregon State and Houston are set to meet on the diamond. The programs were scheduled to play last season in Round Rock, but the matchup was canceled due to sub-freezing temperatures.

All eyes will be on Oregon State’s Friday starter, Dax Whitney. The right-hander arrives in Frisco as the reigning Golden Spikes and D1Baseball National Player of the Week. He also earned Pitcher of the Week honors from the College Baseball Foundation, Perfect Game, and the Pac-12.

Last Friday against Baylor, Whitney tied the Oregon State single-game record with 17 strikeouts. He faced 25 batters in the Beavers’ 3-1 win, surrendering two hits, one walk, and a hit by pitch. Dominant late in the outing, he retired the final 11 batters he faced, nine via the strikeout.

Whitney currently leads the nation with 23 strikeouts through 12 innings of work this season. In that span, he has allowed just one run on seven hits with four walks.

Team Records Entering Friday, Feb. 27

Alabama | 7–2

Houston | 6–2

Iowa | 6–2

Oregon State | 4–3

Some Players to Watch This Weekend

Justin Lebron | SS | Alabama

Lebron is arguably the premier position player in the Frisco field. He is showcasing a rare blend of power, plate discipline, and speed. His 9-to-4 walk-to-strikeout ratio highlights his status as one of the most polished hitters in college baseball.

2026 Stats: .267 AVG / .476 OBP / .767 SLG (1.243 OPS), 5 HR, 9 RBI, 9 SB, 9 BB, 4 SO

Zane Adams | SP | Alabama

Adams has been the most efficient starter of the young season. He has demonstrated elite command, having yet to issue a walk through 11 innings while keeping traffic off the basepaths.

2026 Stats: 2-0, 1.64 ERA, 11.0 IP, 15 SO, ZERO Walks, 0.727 WHIP

Tre Broussard | OF | Houston

Serving as the catalyst for the Cougars’ offense, Broussard is a pure contact hitter with gap-to-gap power. He enters the weekend hitting .500 through seven games.

2026 Stats: .500 AVG / .538 OBP / .700 SLG (1.238 OPS), 1 HR, 9 RBI

Joey Nerat | OF | Iowa

A disruptive force at the top of the Hawkeyes' lineup, Nerat excels at reaching base and remains aggressive once he gets there. He has already swiped five bases this season.

2026 Stats: .458 AVG / .567 OBP / .667 SLG (1.233 OPS), 4 RBI, 5 BB, 5 SB

Dax Whitney | SP | Oregon State

A high-ceiling right-hander, Whitney is a primary draw for MLB scouts this weekend. His record-setting 17-strikeout performance has made him the tournament’s most anticipated arm.

2026 Stats: 2-0 Win-Loss, 0.75 ERA, 12.0 IP, 1 R, 7 H, 4 BB, 23 SO (0.917 WHIP)

2026 Frisco Classic Schedule

Friday Schedule

Game One: Houston Cougars vs. Oregon State Beavers - 2 PM

Game Two: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Iowa Hawkeyes - 6 PM

Saturday, February 28

Game Three: Iowa vs. Houston - noon CDT
Game Four: Alabama vs. Oregon State - 4 p.m. CDT

Sunday, March 1

Game Five: Oregon State vs. Iowa - 11 a.m. CDT
Game Six: Houston vs. Alabama - 3 p.m. CDT

Tickets for the classic can be purchased here.