The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each AHSAA classification.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state.

Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week, updating the top-10 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Athens Bible Trojans
Head Coach: Brad Murrell
Classification & Area Number: Class 1A, Area 14
2025 Record (Finish): 16-9 (Sweet 16)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• OF/LHP Luke Murrell (2027)
• INF/RHP Ethan Barnes (2027)
• OF/LHP Ryan Faust (2027)
• C Chandler James (2027)
• UTL/RHP Jake Banta (2029)
• 1B Gavin Butler (2027)
• 3B Sam Hall (2028)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• UTL Micah Gwin (2028)
• UTL Justin Crafton (2028)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Coming off a 16-9 season and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2025, Athens Bible enters the 2026 spring with plenty of momentum and a core that gained valuable postseason experience a year ago. The Trojans showed consistency throughout last season and now return a group that should be comfortable in big moments, especially after navigating a tough schedule and area slate. With much of the lineup and pitching staff back, expectations are to take another step forward and push deeper into the postseason.

Offensively, this group brings back a ton of production. OF/LHP Luke Murrell (2027) was one of the most dynamic players in the area, hitting .565 with 15 doubles, a home run, and 28 RBIs, while also going 5-1 on the mound with a 3.69 ERA. INF/RHP Ethan Barnes (2027) was another cornerstone, batting .416 with 26 RBIs and posting a 2.56 ERA, giving the Trojans a reliable two-way presence. OF/LHP Ryan Faust (2027) adds even more impact, hitting .394 at the plate while going 6-2 with a 2.88 ERA, giving Athens Bible multiple proven arms that can also contribute offensively. Behind the plate, C Chandler James (2027) hit .390 and provides a steady presence defensively, while UTL/RHP Jake Banta (2029) impressed as a young piece, hitting .361 and continuing to develop on the mound. The lineup is rounded out by 1B Gavin Butler (2027) and 3B Sam Hall (2028), both of whom add depth and stability to the infield, along with underclassmen UTL Micah Gwin (2028) and UTL Justin Crafton (2028), who give the Trojans more versatility moving forward.

Looking ahead to 2026, Athens Bible’s biggest strengths are its chemistry and consistency, with several players who have already proven they can perform in pressure situations. With multiple two-way contributors and a lineup that returns significant production, the Trojans should be well-equipped to handle a challenging schedule and area race. “These boys really get along well and they have been working extremely hard to prepare for this season. We have a tough area and schedule, and we hope that our hard work pays off with a deep run in the playoffs,” said head coach Brad Murrell. If this group continues to build on last season’s success, Athens Bible has the pieces in place to make another strong postseason push.

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Find more information on the 2026 Athens Bible program below:

+ Follow them on Facebook: Athens Bible School
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Facebook

 

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