2026 High School Team Preview: River Ridge Knights

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: River Ridge Knights
Head Coach: Jeff Runion
Classification: GHSA Class 5A
Region: 6-5A
2025 Record (Finish): 25-15, Final Four
Team Strengths: Experience with returning starters that have been a part of successful seasons and a playoff run. Pitching depth and arms that can produce quality innings. 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

It was a Final Four finish for the Knights a year ago as they will have to overcome graduating senior talent but Coach Runion and staff return a stout upperclass group that knows what it takes to win. A pair of upperclassmen that anchor the infield defense up-the-middle are 2027 SS Hunter Hollier (Mercer) and uncommitted 2B Joshua Malucci. The duo boasts a pair of high-floor profiles as they will carry significant roles in the lineup as well. A pair of uncommitted seniors including C Austin Karwoski, a defensive leader, and C/DH Jared Mathis yield a potent 1-2 punch behind the dish as they bring a strong hit/power combo to the middle-of-the-order. RHP Connor Johnson lives for the moment and gained invaluable experience after being relied upon for big innings in the playoff last season and returns as a pivotal piece to the staff. Bulldog mentality on the bump comes from a fixture in the rotation and Texas Tech commit, junior RHP/UTL Luke Donaldson. The right-hander possesses high-level projection and has a chance to breakout even further after a strong Summer/Fall circuit with upper 80’s velocity and a wipeout slider off it. Donaldson will also fill a multiple of roles defensively while providing a consistent stick in the middle-of-the-order. The rotation strengthens as uncommitted junior RHP/OF Eason Runion holds down a spot with funk from a low-slot and loads of projection in a 6-foot-5 frame while providing a steady presence in the lineup as well. 2026 RHP/1B Joshua Richard (Valdosta State) brings senior experience to the rotation as he fills up the zone with 3 pitches for strikes and operates in the mid 80’s while carrying a key role in the lineup, and plenty of upside in the physical, long-limbed 6-foot-5 frame. More experience that returns and bolsters the pen is uncommitted senior RHP Zach Rapa who was a high-leverage arm a year ago as a key piece in the deep run. 2026 OF Konnor Hooper is armed with present athleticism and tools to project as he solidifies the depth of the lineup. 2028 3B/RHP Jamal Burton showed well this Fall and has a chance to make a two-way impact as well. Another underclassmen that aims to earn time and carve out a quality role is sophomore MIF Logan Vastola. The Knights are a well-coached group and return an experienced veteran core with talent throughout both the lineup/pitching staff as they appear poised to be in the mix for a 5A state title.

Find more information on the 2026 River Ridge program below:

+ Follow them on X: @RRHS_Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Georgia, 2026 Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL GEORGIA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

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

UPCOMING EVENTS