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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YANKTON: TEAM PREVIEW

High School: Yankton
Head Coach: Drew Lawrence
Class: Class A
2025 Record (Finish): 23-6 (3-2 Loss to Sioux Falls Jefferson, State Quarterfinal)

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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

+ Samuel Gokie: .441 BA, 7-0 W/L, 1.131 ERA - Mount Marty Commit

+ Beck Ryken: .386 BA, 7-1 W/L, 0.632 ERA - Dakota State Commit

+ Easton Feser: .344 BA - Dakota State Commit

+ Gavin Johnson: .326 BA - Mount Marty Commit

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ALUMNI IN COLLEGE

+ Joe Gokie - Mount Marty University

+ Lucas Kampshoff - Mount Marty University

+ Mark Kathol - Mount Marty University

+ Matthew Sheldon - Mount Marty University

+ Owen Wishon - Mount Marty University

+ Kael Garry - Mount Marty University

+ Easton Nelson - Mount Marty University

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TEAM OUTLOOK

“We return a majority of our innings pitched and playing time from last season. This senior group has had much success in previous years at all levels they have played.” – Drew Lawrence, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Yankton program below:

+ Follow them on X: @YBABaseball
+ 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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