2026 Iowa High School Team Preview: Iowa City Liberty

April 24, 2026
Tyler Cropley
State Director, Prep Baseball Iowa

The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement is building throughout Iowa. 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 Iowa.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Carroll or Cedar Rapids at the IHSAA 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A State Tournaments, 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 Iowa.

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 Iowa.

UPCOMING IOWA EVENTS

+ Click here for our full event schedule.

Iowa City Liberty Lightning

High School: Iowa City Liberty
Head Coach: Uby Martinez
Class: Class 4A
2025 Record (Finish): 32-10 (State Quarterfinal)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

+ Evan Schmierer - Southeastern CC commit

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

+ Alex Strunk

+ Garrett Sandersfeld

+ Emerson Berner

+ James O'Connor

+ Eric Strunk

ALUMNI IN COLLEGE

Brayden Meyer - Iowa Central

Mason Waterbury - Southeastern CC

Evan ODonnell - Coe College

Karsten Triggs - Mt. Mercy

TEAM OUTLOOK

“We lost 80% of our starting pitching to graduation. We bring up a talented group of juniors and return senior relievers who will have a major impact on our success. ” – Uby Martinez, head coach

Find more information on the 2026 Iowa City Liberty program below:

+ Follow them on X: @LHSBoltBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Iowa 2026 HS Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL IOWA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Iowa on X
+ Prep Baseball Iowa on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Iowa on Facebook