The Rocks return yet another loaded roster and all indications show they have the talent to compete for an HCC Title. The pitching staff appears to be the strength as Coach Bunnell has a wealth of arms at his disposal. JR RHP Sam Flickinger (Wright State) and SR LHP James Kovacs should be two of the most trusted arms as they both bring back a ton of experience and a track record of filling up the zone. SRs in RHP Corey Wilhelm (Rose-Hulman) and LHP/OF Aiden Grabowski (Indiana Wesleyan) are likely to be factors again, along with JR RHP Logan Robe who brings power stuff. The breakout for Westfield could be JR RHP Reid Dikos, who showed a big jump in stuff this winter.

On the offensive side, JR OF Lincoln Hoffman (Wright State) will play a key role as one of the leaders of the position player group, along with SR INF Beck Jordan (Wabash) - who was a key run producer for the club last season. SR OF Nick Fero and SR 1B Gavin Russ (Ohio Northern) return with experience, as well, with Russ likely to provide a presence in the middle of the order and Fero bringing back a strong defensive presence in the outfield with speed on the bases. SO OF Andrew Noble is a big breakout candidate for this group, holding the potential of one of the more dynamic players in the conference. JR SS Kasen Jessup is another newcomer that could make an immediate impact as a dynamic offensive threat.  

The Spartans debut as our favorites in Fort Wayne for 4A, set for yet another year with a loaded roster on paper. The strength of this team continues to be the pitching staff, and they will reload with talent after graduating three key arms that were mainstays for multiple seasons. SR LHP Mason Gutmann (Indiana Tech) returns the most experience after he posted a 1.29 ERA in 32+ IP last season, striking out 54. JR RHP/SS Charlie Herr (Indiana) should step into a big role this spring, one of the top junior right-handers in the state. His classmates, RHP Eli Shoppell and RHP Luke Haley, are talented in their own regards and are also candidates to take on large roles this spring. SR's LHP Jacob Erb (Saint Francis) and Connor Diehm (Saint Francis) return some experience, and are talented options that give this staff tons of depth. 

A pair of seniors will lead the offense in INF Aiden Phillips (Davenport) and OF Gray Stockwell (Kellogg CC). These two led the Spartans in hitting last season, and another big contributor was JR OF Shane Bardwell. Bardwell is our top-ranked uncommitted outfielder in the junior class, and led Homestead in stolen bases last spring. Herr, Haley, and Diehm are valuable hitters for this club when they're not on pitching duties.

Coach Justin Keever will have a wealth of arms at his disposal this spring, as the state's top left-hander SR Beckett Doane (Mississippi State) will return as the ace. Joining him are two of the most talented uncommitted junior RHPs in Indiana in Eli Hall and Griffin Snider. Hall, our No. 2 ranked uncommitted 2027 RHP, returns this season after missing much of last year due to injury and he should solidify the No. 2 spot in the rotation. Snider is a power arm who reaches into the low-90s with a wipeout slider, and he could be one of the more uncomfortable RH looks in the conference. SR LHP Ethan Kang (Rose-Hulman), SR RHP Brooks Riggs (Lincoln Land CC), JR RHP Quin Hendrich, and SO IF/SS Zac Glander will also be key contributors.

On the offensive side, one of the state's best hitters returns in SR SS Aiden Reynolds (Indiana). One of Central Indiana's most feared bats, Reynolds returns with a ton of experience and has the ability to take over a game. The Millers lost several bats to graduation, but do return names like: JR C Garrett Dixon, Glander, SR 3B Chris Martz, SR IF Blake Riggs (Danville Area CC), and JR OF Jalen Stidham - all contributors last season. Look for two left-handed hitters as potential breakout threats in JR OF Jackson Graf and SO OF/1B Slade Hodges. 

The sleeper team in the Region, Chesterton will look to play spoiler to Crown Point this spring with two of the state's best seniors headlining in OF/P Rob Czarniecki (Kentucky) and LHP/OF Troy Barrett (Purdue). Barrett was an All-State performer last year and returns a career 14-2 record with just a 1.14 ERA. Czarniecki has a decorated HS career in his own regards that includes earning All-State honors his sophomore year. Both will be major impacts on both sides of the ball, as should SR INF/RHP Ethan Glassman (Kankakee CC). JR C Caden Hackett returns for his third year of varsity duties and brings a veteran presence behind the dish. SR RHP Dylan Bradford (Grace) is another impact arm returning for a group that returns nearly 70% of their innings pitched from last season. JR John Knight saw some time on the bump last spring, and could solidify a key role this season while also being expected to be a contributor in the lineup and in the infield. Look for breakout candidates like SO INF G Kirkland and JR OF Sully Fleming to be key newcomers to the lineup. 

The defending 4A State Champs lose 2025 Player of the Year, Caden Crowell, along with double-digit seniors from last year's group. With that being said, Coach Evans will reload this season with young talent, and returns a key group of up-the-middle position players. SR SS Trent Gill (John A Logan) and our top-ranked unsigned SR MIF DJ Malloy, are returning for their fourth year as starters with nearly 600 varsity plate appearances combined between the two. SR C Grant McFarden (Wisconsin Eau-Claire) split time as the catcher last year and should take over everyday duties this spring. SR OF Logan Dilley also saw some time last year and brings a speed threat, as does JR OF Ben Glass. Underclass bats like FR OF Cooper Gear and SO OF/1B Beckett Reaume are talented youngsters that could transition seamlessly to the varsity level. JR INF Tommy Pastoret is yet another player competing for an everyday role as a newcomer.

On the pitching side, Coach Evans will have to replace over 80% of the innings pitched from 2025. Tasked with filling the shoes of Crowell will likely be JR RHP Lucas Haas, the top-ranked uncommitted junior in the state, who reaches into the low-90s and has a chance to solidify himself as one of the top pitchers in the region and state this spring. Malloy, and SR RHP Noah Sena (Kankakee CC) and among the few that did see varsity time on the mound last spring, and the same can be said for SR RHP Kellan Hosek. JR RHP Nolan Glowski is a breakout candidate who spins a devastating breaking ball. Also, look for SO LHP/1B Jack Baumgardner to be a big contributor, showing a left-handed fastball up to 88 this winter, and he has a chance to do it on both sides.  

After graduating a class of 18 seniors in 2025, the Tigers will follow-up this season with 12-14 seniors in 2026. They return 40% of their innings on the mound highlighted by 3-year starter, SR RHP Hayden Werner (Maryville), SR LHP/OF Owen Lukac (Evansville), and JR LHP Austin Conley.  JR 3B/RHP Carter Strole (Central Michigan) and JR RHP Grant Wolf also pitched varsity innings last year as Sophomores.  Strole is the lone everyday player returning, but Lukac and SR C Justin Brown both saw quality at bats filling in for injuries last season. The Tigers are reloading with plenty of hitters that possess top-end speed, including SR SS Vincent Pecoraro (Anderson), SR OF Sean Frey (Anderson), SR OF Collin Bumps (Manchester), and SR OF Andrew Baldini. SR RHP/1B Miles Tebben (Grace) will contribute both at the plate and on the mound.  The Tigers also return one of the top defensive catchers in the state in SR C David Pina (Glen Oaks CC). An older group within a program that has success year-in, and year-out, look for the Fishers to make a push for the HCC title once again. 

Coach Pat Lowrey leads the Raiders into 2026 as our No. 12 4A squad in the state. A team that returns a good chunk of what helped them to a sectional title a season ago, the strength of this squad will be the upperclassman talent returning. JR RHP Chase Gothrup returns as one of the top junior righties in the state after pitching to a 1.17 ERA with a 6-1 record as a sophomore. SR RHP Lyrik Neal (Taylor) posted a 7-1 record last year and returns as another top option for Coach Lowrey. SR RHP Jeremy Lowrey (Stetson) is a DI-bound talent that will be limited early coming off injury, but if he is at full strength by May - he will provide a serious boost. SR RHP Colton Watts stands as the top uncommitted senior RHP in the state, and his 90-plus mph fastball will give another power option. SR RHP/OF Kreigh Salmon could factor in on the hill, while likely to contribute offensively as well. 

Offensively, SR OF Jack Gonzalez is a Navy football commit who hit .414 last spring, leading the program, and he brings the athleticism you'd expect of a DI-bound football recruit. SR INF Kendrick Pena (Indiana Wesleyan) is a left-handed hitter who should be a big factor in the success of this lineup, and returns with experience. SR OF Kaden Keys (Indianapolis) figures to be a key bat, as does SR C/INF Sieger Geswein (IU-Kokomo). JR INF Nolan Hodnett, a silky defender who is sound across the board, will have to step up for the loss of SR Lannon Nicoloff, who unfortunately suffered an injury during the preseason. 

The Bulldogs enter as the "sleeper" in the HCC after a 17-win 2025 that included a sectional title. SR LHP Ryan Murphy (Creighton) will lead the way as the apparent ace, and one of the top hitters returning. The top returning hitter is SO OF Canyon Koonce, the top-ranked sophomore outfielder in the state, who was easily the "Rookie of the Year" in the HCC last year after hitting .411 as a freshman. SRs like OF Drew Bostic and 1B/LHP Daniel Phillips (Purdue Northwest) bring back plenty of experience as veterans in this lineup. SR RHP/INF Vince Painter (Bellarmine) is another veteran with experience on both sides, likely to be one of the top arms for this club while filling some kind of role offensively. JR IFs Ethan Cougill and Colin Jones both saw time last year and are expected to take a step up this spring. SO SS Brayden Greathouse is another youngster that saw time last year after winning the everyday job at short mid-season last spring, and a year of experience under his belt could pay dividends. Finally, JR RHP Cole Sabelhaus is the breakout candidate; a power-armed righty who reached 92 this winter. If Sabelhaus can hone in control consistently, Brownsburg will have three legitamite power arms atop the rotation to pair with solid core of position players. 

After ending a 28-2 season on an upset loss to Goshen in the regional last spring, this Kingsmen squad will look to regain the stronghold they've had on the South Bend area in 2026. They lost a ton of experience, but will look to three of the top players in the area to lead the new-look squad in SR RHP Cayden Stockbridge (Purdue), SR 3B Bennett Hartford (Hillsdale) and OF/RHP Mason Biernacki. Stockbridge is the most talented arm in South Bend, a Purdue recruit armed with a low-90s fastball and he is a low-pulse competitor who always fills the zone. Biernacki got some time as a freshman, and will be thrust into a leadership role as one of the more dynamic offensive players in the entire state as just a sophomore. Hartford was one of the top hitters in the area last spring, and is also one of our top-ranked Division II recruits in Indiana's senior class as he brings real run producing capabilities to the middle of the order. 

The middle infield should include JR MIF Grady Harrell, a lefty swinger who provides a speed threat, and SR MIF Brody Cashen (Anderson). SR OF Dalton Zultanski (Glen Oaks CC) brings a veteran presence to the outfield as does SR Ben Dhaemers, who will also be a contributor on the bump. SR Jake Stopczyski and JR Colton Breden are also upperclassman who could give Coach Dikos depth on the mound.

The Mavericks tie for the most Division I-bound seniors of any program in the state with SR RHP/IF Sammy Swank (Kentucky), SR IF/RHP Jake Winger (Indiana), and SR OF Jon Riley (Toldeo) set to be the leaders of the squad. Swank is one of the top pitchers in Indiana with a fastball up to 95, and the Mavs can compete with anyone in the state when he is toeing the rubber. Winger is a career .389 hitter through his first three seasons and one of the state's top power threats with 24 2B, 7 3B, and 7 HR throughout his career. Riley brings much of the same and was extremely productive as a junior, hitting .400 with 8 2B and 5 HRs last spring. SR C Mekyel Almond (Parkland JC) is another highly-experienced bat in the order and will bring one of the top throwing arms of any catcher in the state to add value defensively. 

On the bump, SR Reed Grimes (Grace) is a strikethrower who will eat innings behind Swank. Winger and Almond will be factors, as well, and JR RHP Cason Trader is a newcomer expected to take on a role.

SR OF/P Rhett Clarkson saw significant time on both sides last year and is expected to again take on a two-way role. JR OF Jackson Lancaster is a newcomer who could add yet another power threat to the lineup, while SR IF Zayne Newgent (Manchester) is a college-bound senior who will fill an everyday role on the dirt. JR INF Jonah Fritchley appears to be in-line for an everyday role, while Coach McIntyre lists a handful of sophomores who have a chance to be contributors on both sides, as well. 

With a chance to play spoiler to crosstown rival Bloomington South like they did in 2025; Coach Hurt will have a a quality rotation of arms to go to that is both talented and deep. SR RHP Luke Freel (DePauw) returns as the ace, our top-ranked Division III recruit who is armed with a fastball that reached 89 in his junior season. Not just a hard thrower, Freel's pitch-ability stands out as he returns a 4-2 record with a 1.58 ERA and just 18 walks in 49 IP. Freel was also a .400 hitter last spring, and returns as the shortstop when he is not on the bump. SO RHP Bodhi Pulley is a talented youngster who is up to 90 mph on the fastball, and he could be headed towards a big breakout spring. SR RHP Brogan Hanna (Thomas More), SR RHP Ryan Grupenhoff (Kalamazoo CC) and JR RHP Elio Miller are also upper-80s arms who provide Coach Hurt options. 

On the offensive side, Freel is the top returner, and pairs with SR 3B Liam Smith (Bellarmine), a legitamite power threat. Miller will be a two-way factor, as well, and Coach Hurt returns 6 of 9 starters on the offensive side from last spring. The offense appears to have some question marks, but the deep crop of arm talent Coach Hurt has at his disposal could prove to be dangerous come playoff time. 

The Quakers come out as the favorite in the Mid-State, returning 15 seniors, including 6 who are committed to play college baseball. SR RHP Gavin Lykins (South Florida) headlines as the ace, a 6-foot-5 righty who touched 96 this winter, and he is also a power threat who hit .309 with 4 2B and 4 HR last spring. SR OF Zach Rhoden (Cedarville) hit .338 last spring while also breaking the school record with 25 stolen bases. SR 1B Clark Laker (Principia) and SR IF Logan Doyle (Ancilla) return with some of the top numbers offensively of the bunch from last season.

SR LHP/1B Ryan Garver (Redlands) and SR LHP Greyson Hardin (IU-Columbus) are key returners on the mound, as is JR RHP Jack Davis, slated to be the No. 2 arm in the rotation. 

SO SS Ty White is a talented youngster returning after starting everyday as a freshman, and his older brother SR Drew White will add a physical presence to the lineup. Several more seniors like Luke Starnes, Jake Dellinger, and RHP Corran McGill should factor in, as well. 

Our favorites in the southeast to begin the spring are the Dragons, a team that returns a ton of talent despite losing four year impact players Preston Burton and Mikey Williamson to graduation. Coach Roberts will look to names like JR SS/RHP Boston Roberts, an uncommitted junior who hit .394 with 3 XBH last spring, while providing a mid-to-upper 80s fastball as one of the top pitchers on the team. SR IF Jerron Miles (Wabash Valley) is one of the top JUCO recruits in the state as returns a .381 average. 

The junior class Coach Roberts has in notable. JR OF/RHP Hudson Garten hit .315 last spring with the best power numbers amongst returners, while JR RHP Sean Anglin brings back a 5-0 record from last spring. JR RHP Cash Thompson is another college-level arm Coach Roberts has at his disposal. JR RHP Luke Ott got plenty of time last year, as well, and this group - along with Boston - should make up the key contributors on the bump.

JR 1B Conner Burns is another strong bat that returns, a .386 hitter last spring with 4 XBH. Coach Roberts expects JR OF Gage Kerley, who missed last spring due to injury, to be a big presence in the middle of the order. SO MIF Sawyer Rush is a left-handed bat that is expected to be amongst the few underclassmen who impact this older group, and like Kerley, he is a breakout candidate.  

Another Region-area program that will have a 'new-look' this spring after graduating several, the Indians will surely reload with young talent. They are led by SS Parker Robinson, an Oklahoma recruit who hit .341 as a sophomore with 12 doubles. SR OF Keegan OBryan (IU-Kokomo) is a left-handed bat that will return, as will SR 2B Victor Villegas (Roosevelt). These three make up the only returners to this squad from last year, however, if you've followed Lake Central baseball as of late - you know Coach Mike Swartzentruber has newcomers that will make an instant impact.

JR C Brayden Walls, a Ball State recruit, has yet to see the field at the varisty level (speaking to to the volume of talent this program has had) and he will provide a physical middle of the order presence as an impact newcomer. JR OF Isaac Ochoa and SO OF Jacob Forystek are both talented, athletic, hitters who Coach Swartzentruber will need to step into impact roles as everyday outfielders. 

On the mound, the Indians will be a complete new look staff after graduating 2025 4th rounder Josh Flores, who was one of seven senior pitchers they had last spring. JR RHP Marc Passo and SO LHP Owen Kopercinski appear to be candidates to push for the top of the rotation spot. JR RHP JT Rozanski is another candidate, and he showed off an upper-80s fastball in front of our staff this winter. JR LHP Ryan Mikolanis, a long, projectable left-hander, will likely be in the mix as well. 

Franklin returns a good chunk of the group that helped them to a Regional Championship last spring and will look to go back-to-back in the Mid-State conference. The loss of '25s Nash Netter and Landen Basey, along with '26 Blake Smythe (top hitter in 2025) are the most impactful, but they also lose Braeden Burton on the mound - who went 6-1 last spring. 

RHP Greyson Betts (Northern Kentucky) headlines this club. Betts went 7-1 as a junior, posting a 1.75 ERA, and he struck out 84 in 50+ IP. Betts also returns tied for the most extra-base hits of any player returning, with three, and will likely factor into the middle of the order. MIF Carsten Bland (Dayton), who also had three extra-base hits last spring tying with Betts for the best amongst returners, hit .333 and logged 32 runs scored to lead all returner. SR OF Owen Bullington (Saint Francis) returns the most RBI, with 16, and also the highest on-base percentage amongst returners. 

JR RHP/IF Jack Nelson (Huntington) struck out 29 in 15 IP last spring, and will be relied upon to step into a big role offensively. JR LHP/OF Gunner Wade fits the same mold. Wade tossed 22+ IP as a sophomore and is likely to man an everyday spot in the OF when he is not pitching. 

The Greyhounds graduate four college-bound seniors from the 2025 class, including SS JD Stein (Wake Forest), OF Gabe Mathison (Akron), and top arm from a season ago Evan Vogt (Hanover). With that being said, the wealth of athletic talent at Carmel should allow Coach Hunter Owen to reload.

JR C Jackson Harris, a Baylor recruit, headlines the talent and will be one of the top backstops in the Indy-area this spring. JR SS Jackson Treadway is expected to take over for Stein at short, while college-bound SRs 2B Silas Neal (Indianapolis), OF John Zangrilli (Thomas More), and 1B Jake Behm (Wittenburg) should all be everyday guys. JR OF Max Walkey returns after manning an everyday outfield spot last spring. SO IF TJ Richason is expected to compete for a starting job on the infield, and the remaining OF/DH spots are likely filled by JR OFs Mark Neels and Keagan O'Brien. JR OF Charles Ranek is another upperclass bat who could be in the mix. 

The pitching staff will include names like SR RHP Cal Carmichael, a multi-year contributor, and JR RHP Nolan Sunsdahl. JR RHP Luke Bryant could be a big breakout for Carmel on the mound, an upper-80s righty who could give the Greyhounds the stuff to beat a good lineup, and JR LHP Lucas Johnson is a lefty who could make an impact, along with O'Brien. SR OF/RHP Nate Steele (Hanover) could be a two-way contributor after making impacts at the varsity level last year. FR RHP JD Marcano is a talented up-and-coming youngster who could see varsity action on the bump. 

The Pioneers headline with SR RHP Hudson Devaughan (Alabama) - one of the state's top draft prospects for the 2026 Draft. Devaughan will bring a near triple-digit fastball and has a decorated HS career to this point. Joining him on the pitching staff will be JR RHP Kooper Schmitt, a strikethrower with a quality breaking ball who logged 32+ IP as a conference SP last year, a role he should fill again. SR RHP Kiernan Herald returns over 40 innings pitched fro a season ago to add experienced depth. Returning over 75% of innings pitched from last year, several position players will likely fill roles on the mound, as will JR RHP Kolten Wilson.

On the offensive side, Coach Eric McGaha will look to SR CF Tyler Denny (Wabash), a first team All-State performer in 2025 who hit .460 with 20 extra-base hits last spring, to lead the way. SO SS Brody McGaha will take over everyday SS duties after he hit a staggering .463 as just a freshman last spring. SR 1B/LHP Grant Martin (Franklin) and SR OF Nate Daley (Quincy) are left-handed bats likely to return back to the middle of the order. SR OF Adam Biddle (Franklin) is another power threat at Coach McGaha's disposal, and SR MIF Archer Query (IU-Columbus) returns as a speed threat likely to man the everyday 2B job. Schmitt, and SO 3B Stathan Thompson will factor into the lineup, as well as SRs C Spencer Boisvert and OF Connor Cruz. 

We have the Red Devils as the most likely to contend with Silver Creek in the southeast, a team that won the Hoosier Hills a season ago and returns the core of that group, with a key addition.

JR OF Braylon Gray is the most impactful bat returning after he hit .375 as a sophomore, and he and Trinity transfer, JR 1B/OF Eli Harris, should create a quality duo near the top of the order. SO OF Aidan Toler batted .270 as an everyday starter last year as a freshman, and Coach Stock returns speedster SO MIF Carter Durbin and SO C Derrick Haynes as freshman who started on varsity last spring. JR OF AJ Seifert hit .294 last spring and should man an OF spot, while JR INF/RHP Kaden Westbay figures to factor in somewhere.

On the mound, JR RHP Cash Waters returns the most experience after getting 30 innings of work as a sophomore; he should also make an impact on the lineup after hitting .328 last spring. SR RHP/IF Evan Shelton and JR RHP Preston Hart also saw innings at the varsity level last spring and are likely to take on starters' roles. SR RHP Tripp Rueter will be an arm Coach Stock goes to this spring, as well. Seifert, Westbay, and Toler could likely factor in, as well.  

With intriguing depth in the junior class and athleticism across the board, the Jeff squad feels like a sleeper from down-South. 

Goshen sent shockwaves throughout the state last spring, entering the playoffs with a 9-13 record before knocking off powers like Penn and Westfield en-route to a Final Four finish. They return seven starters from that squad, and a couple of key arms, and start the season as our No. 24 ranked 4A squad.

SR SS Braxton Cline, our 1st team All-State SS in 2025, returns after starring for the Final Four team with a .425 average, 12 doubles, 5 triples, and a pair of homers as a junior. SR RHP Ryen Diaz was the ace last year and figures to return in the same role this spring. These two headline this squad as leaders in nearly every category for their respective position. 

SR OF Bryson Miller, SO OF Jaxon Miller, SR C Colton Rapp, SR 1B Karter Marcum and SR 2B Jensen Meikle return the biggest chunk of at-bats, aside from Cline, as everyday returners. SR 3B Bray Hoag got 50 at-bats last spring and should take on a bigger role, as should SO OF Spencer Elliott. Hoag, Meikle, and Elliott should be two-way contributors, and Coach Dubois expects SO RHP Aaron Demott and SR Bryson Wilson to complement Diaz on the mound.  

The Tigers graduate several college-bound seniors, but are headlined by a core of talented players that should allow them to compete with Goshen and Penn for the top 4A spot in the area. Led by junior slugger 1B Grady Nelson (Ole Miss) and SR RHP/IF Quinton Brock (IU-Kokomo) - this team has talent at the top. Nelson is one of the state's top power threats, while Brock led the Tigers in nearly every offensive category last spring, pacing the team in: average (.411), XBH (12), RBIs (31), and hits (39). 

SR OF Logan Kim returns a .316 average and should man the leadoff spot. SO RHP/IF Rogan Bailey started as a freshman last spring and will be expected to take on a bigger role on both sides of the ball as he is also expected to be one of the teams top pitchers. Brock, and JR RHP Mason O'Malley will also be key contributors on the bump as the top returning arms from last season. The addition of SO RHP Mark Haynes, who reached 90 mph in front of our staff this winter, will give the Tigers four legitamite options atop the rotation. Look for other newcomers like JR Brody Heady, SO C Jack Bradford, and FR LHPers Ben Zartman and Andrew Shaw to make an impact.