2026 High School Team Previews: Novato Hornets
January 20, 2026
The 2026 California high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound 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 California.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in their respective CIF Section Championship Game, 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 these individual programs across California. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings.
Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across California. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, podcasts, and much more.
Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today with the Novato Hornets.
High School: Novato Hornets
Head Coach: Jason Searle
CIF Section: North Coast
Team Strengths: Experience and well-rounded roster.
2025 Record: 16-10
Returning Starters: 8
TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS
- INF/RHP Hunter Lynch (2026)
- SS Julian Oliver (2026)
- OF Cohen Garcia (2026)
- DH/LHP Cash Campbell (2026)
- C Gio Castaing (2027)
TOP UNDERCLASSMEN
- INF Dominic Perachotti (2028)
- INF Ben Cleary (2028)
TEAM OUTLOOK
Novato enters the 2026 season positioned to build on a strong 16–10 campaign, bringing back a veteran group that is fresh off of a CIF North Coast Section Division 2 Playoff appearance. With eight returning starters and four returning pitchers, head coach Jason Searle will lean on a seasoned and well-rounded roster. That continuity gives Novato a chance to set the tone early in the season and be a difficult match-up as league play ramps up.
The returning senior class provides impact on both sides of the ball. INF/RHP Hunter Lynch (2026) offers a power hitting, corner infield profile with two-way upside. SS Julian Oliver (2026) will anchor the infield group and provide consistency in the box. OF Cohen Garcia (2026) adds a steady presence in the outfield, and DH/LHP Cash Campbell (2026) gives the lineup flexibility as a left-handed bat who can also contribute on the mound. Behind the plate, C Gio Castaing (2027) continues to develop into a reliable presence with leadership upside.
On the mound, Novato is bolstered by a pair of college-bound arms in RHP JP Harmon (2026), an Ole Miss commit, and RHP Griffin Vorhaus (2026), headed to Pomona-Pitzer, who help stabilize the pitching staff. Sophomores INF Dominic Perachotti (2028) and INF Ben Cleary (2028) add infield depth and future upside to an already experienced roster. With a proven core and multiple ways to win games, the Hornets enter 2026 as a team capable of making noise throughout the season.
Quote from the Coach
“This is a senior heavy team. We have multiple four-year starters returning. We believe we can compete with anyone and look forward to the challenge of a tough schedule ahead of us.”
Find more information on the 2026 Novato Hornets program below:
+ @Novato_Baseball
+ High School Previews