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: University Charter School Trail Blazers
Head Coach: Walker Lewis
Classification & Area Number: Class 1A, Area 5
2025 Record (Finish): 16-10 (Sweet 16)

---

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• Josiah Dubose
• Jonah Dubose
• Grayson Springfield
• Tip Smith
• Michael Gibson
• Braden Murray

---

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• Khristian Jones
• Khaleb Reed
• Landon McClure

---

TEAM OUTLOOK

University Charter School enters the 2026 season coming off a milestone year in 2025, finishing 16-10 and advancing to the Sweet 16 while capturing the first baseball area championship in school history. That breakthrough season established a new standard for the program, and with a strong core returning, particularly on the mound, the Trail Blazers look to build on that momentum in Class 1A Area 5.

The Trail Blazers return several key contributors who will anchor both the lineup and pitching staff. Josiah Dubose, Jonah Dubose, Grayson Springfield, Tip Smith, Michael Gibson, and Braden Murray all return after playing roles during last season’s postseason run, giving University Charter School continuity and experience across the roster. That group forms the foundation of a team that expects to lean heavily on pitching and defense once again. On the mound, University Charter School projects to bring back a deep and flexible staff led by Michael Gibson, Tip Smith, Josiah Dubose, Jonah Dubose, and Grayson Springfield, with Ryan Vaughan also expected to factor into the pitching mix. That depth allows the Trail Blazers to match up throughout the season and remain competitive in close games. The underclass group adds additional depth and future upside, with Khristian Jones, Khaleb Reed, and Landon McClure providing athleticism and flexibility as roles continue to develop over the course of the season.

Pitching and defense define University Charter School’s identity heading into 2026. With last season’s historic area championship serving as a foundation and a majority of the roster returning, the Trail Blazers enter the new season focused on consistency, continued growth, and making another postseason push in Class 1A.

---

Find more information on the 2026 University Charter School program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @UCSBaseball | University Charter School
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

---

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

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

 

---

Related Content