2026 High School Team Preview: Emanuel County Institute

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 Georgia.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the GHSA or GIAA state playoffs, 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 Georgia. 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 GHSA classification and Power 25.

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 GHSA 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: Emanuel County Institute Bulldogs
Head Coach: Brooks Collins
Classification: GHSA Class A DII
Region: 3-A DII
2024 Record (Finish): 29-9, Final Four
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
Team Strengths: Pitching Staff

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

It was a successful year all-around for ECI in ‘25 with a Final Four run and a plethora of all-state selections. The Bulldogs return a strong veteran presence as they have their sights set on yet another deep playoff run this upcoming Spring. It starts at the top with 3A all-region player of the year in two-way 3B/RHP Tuff Boddiford who brings all-state production to the club along with offering a steady power source in the middle-of-the-order. Continuing the trend of all-state production, senior and first team all-state in ‘25 SS/RHP Bryson Thompson joins Boddiford on the left side of the dirt. The uncommitted senior will be SP1 and provide a consistent bat as well as anchoring the infield defense at the 6. ‘25 region 3A pitcher of the year follows Thompson in the rotation by way of uncommitted 2026 RHP/1B Jackson Kennedy. The two-way will provide invaluable experience to the rotation as well as supplying a dependable stick at the corner infield spot. The upperclass talent continues with fellow uncommitted junior outfielders in Ab Marsh and Davis Johnson. Marsh is coming off a first team all-state bid a year ago and Johnson earned first team all-region honors as both look to carry major roles heading into ‘26. 2027 2B Gunner Johnson rounds out the junior class and could be looking to take on a larger role this upcoming spring. A pair of underclassmen in 2028 RHP/C Jud Underwood and 2028 RHP/OF Lake Bush will bring an impact to both sides of the ball. The two polish off the rotation that will have strong depth and hold down spots in the lineup. 2028 RHP/UTL Jacob Hughes has a chance to fill multiple roles for the Bulldogs and consistently produce as an underclassmen. Coach Collins has talent in the right places led by a stout senior class as the Bulldogs endeavor to take home a Class A Division II title in 2026.

Find more information on the 2026 ECI program below:

+ Follow them on Facebook: ECI Baseball.
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Georgia, 2026 Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL GEORGIA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Georgia on X
+ Prep Baseball Georgia on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Georgia on Facebook
+ Podcast: Peach Fuzz on YouTube

UPCOMING EVENTS