2026 KY High School Team Previews: Volume V

February 9, 2026
Wil Hannah | Jamie Tessoff
KY Assistant Director | KY Scouting Director

Opening day for the KHSAA baseball season is quickly approaching and our staff has shifted focus to preparing for the spring! We’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the state. Their responses have been flooding in, and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis! Read along for our next handful of team previews.

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Campbellsville Eagles

Region 5 | District 20
Head Coach: Blake Milby
Twitter/X: @chsbaseball___

Campbellsville enters 2026 with optimism built around a strong rotation and the potential return of a key arm that could elevate the Eagles into regional contention.

2025 Recap
The Eagles finished 19–14, with their season ending in a first-round district loss to Adair County.

Key Departures

Jack Ellis (graduation)
Carson Mills (transfer to Taylor County)

Returning Core

Kace Eastridge, SR, RHP/INF/OF – Anchor of the rotation since 8th grade; fierce competitor.

Bryson Turpin, SR, 1B/LHP – Returning from UCL injury; was 4-0 and hitting near .400 before injury.
Cayton Lawhorn, JR, C – Defensive leader and game-caller entering his third year as starter.
Remy Brown, SO, OF/RHP – Elite athlete with speed, arm strength, and upside on the mound.

Youth Movement

Ty Burwash, FR, SS (2029) – Already a 3-year starter; elite feel for the game with national-level upside.

Team Identity
Pitching depth is the strength. If Turpin returns healthy, Campbellsville could run 4–5 quality arms, a major advantage in the rugged 20th District.

Outlook
With expectations at four, the Eagles have a realistic path to contending in the 5th Region.

Schedule Highlights

Taylor County (May 5 & 7)
Bowling Green (May 1 & 14)
Boyle County (March 23 & May 11)
Spring Break – Ft. Walton Beach Bash

Portland Christian Eagles

Region 7 | District 28
Head Coach: Lee Sexton

Portland Christian enters 2026 with continuity and leadership, returning multiple starters from last year’s regional qualifier and looking to build on growing offensive potential.

2025 Recap
The Eagles finished 9–12, with their season ending in the first round of the regional tournament against Ballard.

Key Departures

Parker Price
Kansuke Yamamoto

Returning Core

Seth Rogers, JR, UTL
CJ Shrock, 3B
Luke Weathers, 1B
Pierce Jewkes, INF
Micah Hoyer, C

Team Identity
With returning starters across the diamond, Portland Christian expects strong leadership and improved offensive production. The Eagles should be competitive as roles solidify early in the season.

Outlook
Expectation level sits at three, with growth and consistency being the key to postseason success.

Madison Southern Eagles

Region 11 | District 44
Head Coach: Brad McNew

Madison Southern looks to take another step forward in 2026 behind returning contributors and a group of players who gained valuable varsity experience last season.

2025 Recap
The Eagles posted a 17–15 record, finishing District Runner-Up and falling in the first round of the region tournament.

Key Departures

Preston Williams
Aiden Lilly
Garad Young
Noah Thompson

Returning Contributors

Trey Helton, JR, UTIL/RHP

Aaron Short, JR, RHP/3B
Lukas Ingram, JR, 1B
Griffin Back, JR, C

Underclass Impact

Coleston Cornett, SO, 3B/OF/RHP

Konnor Bailey, SO, C/MIF

Team Identity
Madison Southern blends experience with youth and will rely on staying healthy and continuing development as the season progresses, with the goal of peaking in May.

Outlook
Expectation level is three, with postseason positioning determined by growth and execution.

Schedule Highlights

Madison Central (March 15)
Somerset (Home & Away)
Wolfe County (Home & Away)

South Laurel Cardinals

Region 13 | District 50
Head Coach: Trey Smith
Twitter/X: @SLCardsbaseball

South Laurel enters 2026 as one of the most dangerous teams in the 13th Region, combining speed, power, and deep pitching with versatility across the lineup.

2025 Recap
The Cardinals finished 22–7, with their season ending in the district tournament loss to Corbin.

Key Departures

Will Alsip
Austin Byrd
Keaton Smith
Keaton Creech

Returning Lineup Core

Waylon Hensley, SR, INF/P

Reece Noble, SR, CF
Carter Kelley, SR, OF
Jamison West, JR, INF/P
Bryson Turner, JR, INF

Impact Bats & Arms

Brody Garland, SO, C – Big power potential
Wilkelver Gaviria, JR, OF – Left-handed power
Quinn Strunk, FR, INF – Top-10 freshman in Kentucky

Team Identity
South Laurel features elite speed, impact power, and a deep pitching staff, making them one of the most versatile and explosive rosters in the region.

Outlook
With expectations at five, the Cardinals are legitimate region title contenders.

Schedule Highlights

GRC (March 16)
Johnson Central (April 11)
Whitley County (April 13–14)
Corbin (April 20–21)
Madison Central (April 24)

Russell Red Devils

Region 16 | District 63
Head Coach: Tim Rice
Twitter/X: @reddevilball

Russell returns one of the most experienced senior groups in the region and will lean heavily on defense and athleticism in 2026.

2025 Recap
The Red Devils finished 20–14, falling in the regional semifinals.

Key Departures

Kyle Mokas
Elijah Hankins
Avery Lother
Hayden McGuire

Returning Core

Jaden Frasure, SR, 1B/3B/P
Jacob Tolliver, SR, 3B/P
Keoni Ancheta, SR, C/LF/P
Gunnar Hignite, JR, 2B
Hayden McGowan, JR, 1B/OF/P

Youth to Watch

Griffin Fisher, SO, C
Layne Paxson, FR, SS

Team Identity
Russell’s strength lies in defensive consistency, athleticism, and senior leadership, with nearly the entire lineup bringing varsity experience.

Outlook
Expectation level is four, with a chance to push deep into the postseason.

Schedule Highlights

Ashland (March 21)
Raceland (April 20–21)
Greenup (April 27–28)

Crittenden County Rockets

Region 2 | District 5
Head Coach: Riley Jones
Twitter/X: @CrittCoBaseball

Crittenden County enters a new era under a new head coach with a gritty, team-first mentality.

2025 Recap
The Rockets finished 10–16, losing in the first round of district play.

Key Departures

Chase Conyer
Asa McCord

Core Pieces

Quinn Summers, SR, SS/P

Jaxton Duncan, JR, OF/P/1B
Hudson Stokes, SO, 3B/P/OF
Eli Lovell, SO, C/P
Eli Herrin, SO, 2B/C

Team Identity
Crittenden County prides itself on selfless, gritty baseball, with players willing to execute small-ball and defensive fundamentals to compete in Region 2.

Outlook
Expectation level is two, with growth and competitiveness the primary focus.

Schedule Notes
District matchups against Livingston Central, Lyon County, and Trigg County, plus added games with Calloway County and Murray.