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2026 KY High School Team Previews: #5-1

March 13, 2026
Wil Hannah | Jamie Tessoff
KY Assistant Director | KY Scouting Director

We are less than ONE WEEK from opening day for the 2026 KHSAA season! The Prep Baseball KY staff has been hard at work ranking the top 25 teams in the Bluegrass State. We are now previewing our top ranked teams as part of our Power 25 countdown. Our final round of preview belongs to #5-1!

#1: Trinity Shamrocks 

Region 7 | District 27
Head Coach: Rick Arnold
Twitter/X: @TrinityHSBBall

The defending state champions reload in 2026 with championship-level depth and experience.

2025 Recap
Finished 38–3, capturing the KHSAA State Championship.

Key Departures

Returning Core

Depth Pieces
Carson Hailey, Jaxson Jett, Easton Cline, Wyatt Graeter, and freshman Isaac Miller bolster an already deep roster.

Team Identity
Experience, starting pitching, and offensive versatility remain the Shamrocks’ calling cards.

Outlook
Expectation level is five — state title contenders until proven otherwise.

Schedule Notes
Competing in the NHSI (March 24–29) and another loaded 7th Region slate.

#2: St. Xavier Tigers   

Region 7 | District 26
Head Coach: Andy Porta
Twitter/X: @StXTigersBSB

2025 Record: 29-7 - lost in 7th Region finals.

Key Departures

Returning Core

  • Brodie Benefield 6'3" 210; INF RHP: signed w/ Air Force Academy; BA 349, OBA 441, 2B 5, 3B 6, HR 5, RBI 30 - 6-1, IP 46.2, K 45, ERA 0.45
  • Oakley Clevenger 6'0" 175;OE; signed w/ Indiana Wesleyan University; BA 234, OBA 340, 2B 3, 3B 1, R 17.SB 14
  • Jaxon Coomer 5'11" 160; INF; signed w/ Indiana Wesleyan University; BA 323, OBA 449, 2B 2, 3B 3, HR 1, R 39, RBI 19, SB 23
  • Wyatt Graven 6'0" 180; OF, offer from Transylvania University; BA 385, OBA 479, 2B 5, 3B 2, R 11, RBI 16, SB 8
  • Ryan Holmes 5'8" 160; RHP; signed w/ Spalding University; 2-0-1, IP 18.2, ERA 3.37
  • Mason Nett 6'0" 200; RHP, C; signed w/ Anderson University; 1-1, IP 10.2, K 11
  • Colton Zuege 6'0" 180; LHP; signed w/ Murray State University; 3-1-1, IP 34.1, K 46, ERA 1.43
  • Jakob Reed 5'9" 165; RHP committed to Air Force Academy; 5-1-1, IP 26, K 17, ERA 2.96
  • Mason Akers 5'10" 175; INF, C; BA 344, OBA 436, 2B 1, 3B 1, R 9
  • Tighe Brown 6'0" 160; RHP, OF, C; 2-1, IP 18, ERA 3.89

New Contributors

Team Outlook

The 2026 Saint Xavier Tigers return 13 players with varsity experience and are looking to win their 10th State Championship. Pitching and defense will be the strengths of the 2026 Tigers. Leading the way on the mound will be three D-1 arms in Brodie Benefield (Air Force) and Colton Zuege (Murray State) along with junior Jakob Reed (Air Force). Seniors Mason Nett (Anderson) and Ryan Holmes (Spalding) along with juniors Brodie Gaddie, Brilyn Hagan, Kayden Jones, Austin Schetler, and sophomores Tighe Brown and Nolan White will contribute on the mound as well. There's potentially another two or three D-1 arms in the underclassmen ranks. Time will tell, but in a few years, this 2026 pitching staff may be looked upon as one of the deepest and most talented pitching staffs the Tigers have had. Defensively, the Tigers have depth and versatility as well. 2026 represents the third year of varsity experience for a core of four players: Jaxon Coomer (Indiana Wesleyan) at SS, Benefield at third and/or first, Oakley Clevenger (Indiana Wesleyan) in OF, and Wyatt Graven (Transylvania offer) in OF. Sophomore Mason Akers returns with varsity INF experience and might see some time behind the plate in 2026. In fact, four different players might see some time behind the dish this spring. Several players are fighting for the final outfield spot, second base, and first base. The offensive discussion begins with Brodie Benefield. He hit 349 with 5 doubles, 6 triples, 5 HR and had 30 RBI's last year. Graven returns with some pop as well; he hit 385 with 7 extra base hits. The table setters will likely be Coomer, who hit 323 and 375 the past 2 years, Clevenger, who hit 234 and 299 the past 2 years, and Akers, who hit 344 last year. Brilyn Hagan will bring some pop to the lineup as well. Speed will be a big part of the Tigers' offense as well as they look to surpass last season's stolen base total of 103, which was the highest since stealing 108 bases in 2017. The St. X recipe for success remains the same: play the most challenging schedule in the state, possibly experience some growing pains along the way, and in the end, be prepared to make a deep postseason run.

Schedule Highlights

  • Mar 19: vs. Lexington Catholic
  • Mar 28: vs. Greenwood x2
  • Apr 4: vs. Beechwood
  • Apr 18: vs. Sayre x2
  • Apr 20: @ Madison Central
  • Apr 22: vs. Trinity
  • May 2: @ McCracken County
  • May 2: vs. Henry Clay
  • May 4: @ North Oldham
  • May 7: @ South Oldham
  • May 8: @ Boyle County

#3: McCracken County Mustangs 

Region 1 | District 2
Head Coach: Zach Hobbs
Twitter/X: @stang_baseball

2025 Recap
McCracken County posted a strong 31–9 campaign in 2025, rebounding from a district finals loss to roll through the 1st Region and advance all the way to the state semifinals. With another experienced core returning and a demanding schedule ahead, the Mustangs once again look like the team to beat in the 1st Region.

Key Departures

Returning Core

  • 2026 Lane Grace
  • 2026 Will Fox - Louisville commit

New Contributors

Schedule Highlights

  • Mar 17: vs. Christian County
  • Apr 6: vs. Sayre
  • Apr 9: vs. LaRue County
  • Apr 28: @ University Heights
  • May 2: vs. Henry Clay
  • May 2: vs. St. Xavier
  • May 8: @ South Oldham
  • May 9: @ Trinity
  • May 12: @ Christian County
  • May 15: vs. University Heights

#4: Sayre Spartans 

Region 11 | District 42
Head Coach: Kevin Clary
Twitter/X: @sayrebaseball

2025 Recap
Sayre put together an impressive 30–7 season in 2025, capturing the 11th Region title after a dominant postseason run before falling to Taylor County in the opening round of the state tournament. With an experienced, well-coached lineup returning, the Spartans once again look poised to be a major factor in the always-competitive 11th Region.

Key Departures

Returning Core

  • 2027 Will Johnson

New Contributors

  • 2028 Oakes McCauley
  • 2028 Jesse Nance

Schedule Highlights

  • Mar 17: vs. Whitley County
  • Mar 27-29: Prep Baseball KY High School Invitational - Somerset, KY
  • Apr 6: @ McCracken County
  • Apr 7: vs. LaRue County
  • Apr 14: @ Madison Central
  • Apr 15: @ Trinity
  • Apr 18: @ St. Xavier x2
  • Apr 21: vs. Henry Clay
  • Apr 22: @ Henry Clay
  • Apr 23: @ Boyle County
  • Apr 28: @ Frederick Douglass
  • Apr 29: vs. Frederick Douglass
  • May 11: @ Whitley County
  • May 15: vs. Boyle County

#5: Pleasure Ridge Park Panthers 

Region 6 | District 21
Head Coach: Brad Burns
Twitter/X: @PRP_Baseball

PRP returns to 2026 following a deep state tournament run with a familiar identity.

2025 Recap
Finished 29–7, State Runner-Up.

Returning Pieces

  • Jack Brunner, OF/P, 2026
  • Brenden Bratcher, IF, 2026
  • Joey Dudeck, P/IF, 2027

Team Identity
Strike-throwing, defense, and manufacturing runs remain the Panthers’ blueprint.

Outlook
Expectation level is three.

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