The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement is present throughout South Dakota. 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 South Dakota.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Sioux Falls or Brooking at the SDHSBA Class A and B State championship games, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to shine a spotlight on all teams across the state as we preview individual teams across South Dakota.

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 Diamond Notes, covering all the bases across the state of South Dakota.

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Elk Point-Jefferson: TEAM PREVIEW

High School: Elk Point-Jefferson
Head Coach: John Gale
Class: Class B
2025 Record (Finish): 12-3 (State Semifinals)

UPCOMING DAKOTAS EVENTS

EVENT	DATE	LOCATION
South Dakota Preseason ID	02/21/2026	Avera Dome, Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota Rising Stars ID	02/21/2026	Avera Dome, Sioux Falls, SD
North Dakota Preseason ID	03/07/2026	Rustad Center, West Fargo, ND
North Dakota Rising Stars ID	03/07/2026	Rustad Center, West Fargo, ND

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

+ Jace Shatswell

+ Brody VanRoekel

+ Luke Swatek

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

+ Trey VanderWeerdt

+ Austin Hanson

+ Drew Geary

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ALUMNI IN COLLEGE

+ Keaton Gale - Dakota State University

+ Wyatt Herrity - Midland University

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TEAM OUTLOOK

“EPJ will be a young team in 2026. We will be looking to fill some big spots on both sides of the ball in some key positions. We will need some young guys to step into some key roles on offense and defense. Our focus will be doing the small things well, playing solid defense, throwing a bunch of strikes, and figuring out how to put runs on the board.” – John Gale, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Elk Point-Jefferson program below:

+ Follow them on X: @epjbsa
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Dakotas, 2026 HS Team Previews

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FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL DAKOTAS THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Dakotas on X
+ Prep Baseball Dakotas on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Dakotas on Facebook

 

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