2026 Orange Beach Makos Team Preview
February 6, 2026
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: Orange Beach Makos
Head Coach: Josh Hoyle
Classification & Area Number: Class 4A, Area 1
2025 Record (Finish): 20-10 (No Postseason)
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS
- C Colton Boyd (Southern Miss, 2026)
- UTL Brayden Hood (2026)
- RHP/INF Matthew Hoover (Mobile, 2026)
- 1B Ward Hickman (2026)
- OF/RHP Gentry Rogers (2027)
- INF/RHP Ben Pugh (2027)
C Colton Boyd (10/5/25)
TOP UNDERCLASSMEN
- INF Jacob Thomas (2028)
- INF Davis Woodson (2028)
- INF Connor Ford (2028)
- UTL/RHP Campbell Tillman (2029)
INF Jacob Thomas (1/11/26)
OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS
- RHP Ethan O'Meara (2027)
- RHP Braden McCrory (2026)
- LHP Logan Kruse (2026)
RHP Ethan O'Meara (1/11/26)
TEAM OUTLOOK
Orange Beach enters the 2026 season coming off a 20-win campaign in 2025, a year that saw the Makos compete against one of the tougher schedules in Class 4A while continuing to build depth across the roster. Although they didn’t reach the postseason, the experience gained against quality competition should pay dividends as this group looks to take a step forward, especially with a strong mix of returning upperclassmen and promising underclassmen ready to contribute.
The lineup brings back several key pieces, starting with C Colton Boyd (Southern Miss, 2026), a cornerstone behind the plate who provides experience and stability at a premium position. UTL Brayden Hood (2026) adds versatility, while RHP/INF Matthew Hoover (Mobile, 2026) gives the Makos impact on both sides of the ball. 1B Ward Hickman (2026) anchors the infield, and OF/RHP Gentry Rogers (2027) and INF/RHP Ben Pugh (2027) supply athleticism and two-way depth. The underclass group is highlighted by INF Jacob Thomas (2028), INF Davis Woodson (2028), INF Connor Ford (2028), and UTL/RHP Campbell Tillman (2029), all of whom add flexibility and long-term upside to the roster. On the mound, Orange Beach will lean on a deep staff that includes RHP Ethan O’Meara (2027), Hoover, Tillman, LHP Logan Kruse (2026), RHP Braden McCrory (2026), and Pugh, giving the Makos multiple options and looks for opposing lineups.
Depth throughout the field and on the mound stands out as a strength for this group, especially as they navigate another demanding schedule. Head coach Josh Hoyle emphasized the importance of finding the right mix early, saying, “We will play a lot of kids early and try to see where everyone fits. Everything we will do in the season will be in preparation for area play. We are optimistic about this group but need everyone to gel as we have some new faces.” If that chemistry comes together, Orange Beach has the pieces to turn last season’s experience into real momentum in 2026.
Find more information on the 2026 Orange Beach High School program below:
+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @OrangeBeachBSB | Orange Beach Makos Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews
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+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
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