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While some are looking forward to fun in the sun, high school baseball players in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties are preparing for one of the area’s top spring sports traditions.
On Monday, April 6, the Gaston County Easter Tournament returns to historic Sims Legion Park in Gastonia. Reigning champion Stuart Cramer is back, with tournament mainstays Ashbrook, Forestview, Highland Tech, North Gaston and South Point also in the mix. Gaston Christian is also part of this year’s event, as is Huntersville’s Christ the King.
A little more than 30 minutes to the west, Keeter Stadium serves as site of the Shelby Easter Baseball Tournament. Taking place over the course of four days, the event features the host Golden Lions, as well as Cleveland County rivals Burns, Crest and Kings Mountain. CHASE, Piedmont, South Caldwell and Tuscola will also vie for the 2026 tournament crown.
TOP PERFORMERS: Crest baseball's Lund's 12 Ks lead Gastonia, Shelby top performers
ON THE MOVE: A team without a home, here's how Stuart Cramer baseball is thriving
AREA'S BEST: What Gastonia, Shelby baseball, softball teams start April No. 1?
Lincolnton and West Lincoln will also be busy during spring break, the rival programs serving as co-hosts of the 8-Mile Spring Break Baseball Tournament. Grace Academy, Langtree Charter, Pinnacle Classical, SouthLake Christian, Ultimate Baseball Academy (Waxhaw) and West Caldwell are also part of the tournament field.
Dates: April 6-8
Venue: Sims Legion Park, Gastonia
Defending champion: Stuart Cramer
Favorite: Gaston Christian; the Eagles enter tournament play with an 11-1 record, winners of five in a row. In addition to stellar play, the bracket offers Gaston Christian a clearer path to the tournament final, missing out on matchups with highly-regarded clubs in South Point and Stuart Cramer until the championship game.
Monday, April 6
Tuesday, April 7
Wednesday, April 8
Dates: April 6-9
Venue: Keeter Stadium, Shelby
Defending champion: Crest
Favorite: Crest; the Chargers are on a roll of late, winners of six consecutive games. During the stretch, Crest has outscored opponents 79-4. A potential clash with an impressive South Caldwell team may loom in the tournament final, the Spartans boasting a 12-2 record of their own.
Monday, April 6
Tuesday, April 7
Wednesday, April 8
Thursday, April 9
Dates: April 6-8
Venue: Lincolnton High School; West Lincoln High School, Vale
Favorite: West Lincoln; the Rebels have had a rough go of late, losers of seven straight as part of a tough Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A schedule. Should it get past Grace Academy — one of a pair of teams in the tournament field with a winning record — the bracket opens up in West Lincoln’s favor.
Monday, April 6
At Lincolnton High
At West Lincoln High
Tuesday, April 7
At Lincolnton High
At West Lincoln High
Wednesday, April 8
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia, Shelby high school baseball 2026 Easter tournament schedules
Continue reading...
On Monday, April 6, the Gaston County Easter Tournament returns to historic Sims Legion Park in Gastonia. Reigning champion Stuart Cramer is back, with tournament mainstays Ashbrook, Forestview, Highland Tech, North Gaston and South Point also in the mix. Gaston Christian is also part of this year’s event, as is Huntersville’s Christ the King.
A little more than 30 minutes to the west, Keeter Stadium serves as site of the Shelby Easter Baseball Tournament. Taking place over the course of four days, the event features the host Golden Lions, as well as Cleveland County rivals Burns, Crest and Kings Mountain. CHASE, Piedmont, South Caldwell and Tuscola will also vie for the 2026 tournament crown.
TOP PERFORMERS: Crest baseball's Lund's 12 Ks lead Gastonia, Shelby top performers
ON THE MOVE: A team without a home, here's how Stuart Cramer baseball is thriving
AREA'S BEST: What Gastonia, Shelby baseball, softball teams start April No. 1?
Lincolnton and West Lincoln will also be busy during spring break, the rival programs serving as co-hosts of the 8-Mile Spring Break Baseball Tournament. Grace Academy, Langtree Charter, Pinnacle Classical, SouthLake Christian, Ultimate Baseball Academy (Waxhaw) and West Caldwell are also part of the tournament field.
Gaston County Easter Tournament
Key info
Dates: April 6-8
Venue: Sims Legion Park, Gastonia
Defending champion: Stuart Cramer
Favorite: Gaston Christian; the Eagles enter tournament play with an 11-1 record, winners of five in a row. In addition to stellar play, the bracket offers Gaston Christian a clearer path to the tournament final, missing out on matchups with highly-regarded clubs in South Point and Stuart Cramer until the championship game.
Tournament schedule
Monday, April 6
- Game 1: Christ the King vs. North Gaston, 11 a.m.
- Game 2: Forestview vs. Stuart Cramer, 2 p.m.
- Game 3: Ashbrook vs. Gaston Christian, 4 p.m.
- Game 4: South Point vs. Highland Tech, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7
- Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 11 a.m.
- Game 6: Game 2 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 1 p.m.
- Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m. p.m.
- Game 8: Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8
- Seventh-place game, 11 a.m.
- Fifth-place game, 1 p.m.
- Third-place game, 4 p.m.
- Tournament championship, 6:30 p.m.
Shelby Easter Baseball Tournament
Key info
Dates: April 6-9
Venue: Keeter Stadium, Shelby
Defending champion: Crest
Favorite: Crest; the Chargers are on a roll of late, winners of six consecutive games. During the stretch, Crest has outscored opponents 79-4. A potential clash with an impressive South Caldwell team may loom in the tournament final, the Spartans boasting a 12-2 record of their own.
Tournament schedule
Monday, April 6
- Game 1: South Caldwell at Shelby, 4 p.m.
- Game 2: CHASE at Burns, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7
- Game 3: Tuscola vs. Kings Mountain, 4 p.m.
- Game 4: Piedmont vs. Crest, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8
- Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 11 a.m.
- Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 1:30 p.m.
- Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4 p.m.
- Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 9
- Seventh-place game, 11 a.m.
- Fifth-place game, 1:30 p.m.
- Third-place game, 4 p.m.
- Championship, 7 p.m.
8-Mile Spring Baseball Tournament
Key info
Dates: April 6-8
Venue: Lincolnton High School; West Lincoln High School, Vale
Favorite: West Lincoln; the Rebels have had a rough go of late, losers of seven straight as part of a tough Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A schedule. Should it get past Grace Academy — one of a pair of teams in the tournament field with a winning record — the bracket opens up in West Lincoln’s favor.
Tournament schedule
Monday, April 6
At Lincolnton High
- Ultimate Baseball Academy vs. SouthLake Christian, 5 p.m.
- Pinnacle Classical at Lincolnton, 7:30 p.m.
At West Lincoln High
- Langtree Charter vs. West Caldwell, 5 p.m.
- Grace Academy at West Lincoln, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7
At Lincolnton High
- Ultimate Baseball Academy/SouthLake Christian loser vs. Pinnacle/Lincolnton loser, 5 p.m.
- Ultimate Baseball Academy/SouthLake Christian winner vs. Pinnacle/Lincolnton winner, 7:30 p.m.
At West Lincoln High
- Langtree Charter/West Caldwell loser vs. Grace Academy/West Lincoln loser, 5 p.m.
- Langtree Charter/West Caldwell winner vs. Grace Academy/West Lincoln winner, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8
- Seventh-place game at West Lincoln High, 5 p.m.
- Fifth-place game at Lincolnton High, 5 p.m.
- Third-place game at West Lincoln High, 7:30 p.m.
- Championship at Lincolnton High, 7:30 p.m.; game will be held at West Lincoln High should the Rebels advance to the tournament final and Lincolnton does not.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia, Shelby high school baseball 2026 Easter tournament schedules
Continue reading...
