The 2026 high school baseball season is right around the corner, and as always, excitement is building across the Bayou State. Programs from every corner of Louisiana have been hard at work this offseason—honing skills, building chemistry, and setting their sights on a return trip to Sulphur for the LHSAA State Championships. As is tradition, the state is once again loaded with talent, from seasoned veterans to rising underclassmen ready to make their mark.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll take an in-depth look at teams from every region as part of our comprehensive season preview series. These previews will lead right up to Opening Day, followed by the release of our Power 25 Rankings and the return of our always-popular Game of the Week feature.

Throughout the spring, Prep Baseball Louisiana will continue to be your one-stop source for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Be sure to check back weekly for our Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, updated Power 25 Rankings, and plenty of additional coverage highlighting the stories, performances, and programs that make Louisiana baseball special.

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.  If you have not received a questionnaire and would like to fill one out, please email State Director Alex Armand at [email protected]

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High School Name: Parkway High School

Head Coach: Aaron Wicklund

Classification: Class 5A 

District: 1-5A

2025 Record: 13-17

2025 Playoff Finish: Did Not Make Playoffs

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 2

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2

Team Strengths: A young core that are ready to compete.

Top Upperclassmen (2026 & 2027 Class): 2026 OF Jax Thomson, 2026 OF Brady Prine, 2026 RHP Corey Paeth, 2026 LHP/1B Hunter Schneider, 2027 UTL Colby Donaldson, 2027 RHP Zach Plunkett, 2027 C/3B Tristan Sedberry, 2027 INF Nathanael Candley

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2028 OF Dallas Loche, 2029 INF/RHP Brylan Washington, 2029 C Easton Hill

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Team Preview

The Parkway Panthers enter 2026 looking to reset the trajectory of the program with a youthful but highly competitive roster. Head Coach Aaron Wicklund’s group may lack returning experience after losing six starters and a significant portion of its innings on the mound, but the pieces are in place for a hungry unit to take meaningful steps forward in one of the state’s toughest districts.

Parkway’s biggest asset is its young, energetic core—a group eager to prove itself and capable of developing quickly as the season progresses. The Panthers also return several players who gained valuable varsity time last spring and will now transition into expanded roles. Leadership, competitiveness, and internal player development will drive this team’s success.

Experience is the challenge. The Panthers must replace the majority of last year’s lineup and a large chunk of their pitching production. Finding consistent innings on the mound and learning to compete daily at the 5A level will be key hurdles early in the season.

Top Returning Players

-Junior UTL Colby Donaldson: A versatile staple for Parkway, Donaldson returns after hitting .316 with a .409 OBP, 30 hits, and 6 doubles. He also proved valuable on the mound, logging 20 IP with a 1.78 ERA and a save. He’ll be asked to stabilize the lineup while remaining a reliable option on the bump.

 

-Junior RHP Zach Plunkett: Emerged as one of Parkway’s most dependable arms last spring, tossing 34 innings with a 2.67 ERA. He’ll step into a frontline role this year, and his early-season outings will likely set the tone for the Panthers’ pitching staff.

Upperclassmen Ready to Make an Impact

-Senior OF Brady Prine: Hit .250 with 17 RBI and 7 stolen bases. Brings experience, athleticism, and a spark at the top or bottom of the order.

-Senior C/OF Jax Thomson: Posted a .256 average with 10 RBI. Will catch and play outfield, offering flexibility and veteran presence in key spots.

-Senior RHP Corey Paeth: Coming off a strong summer, Paeth is expected to take on big innings and provide much-needed stability on the mound.

-Senior LHP/1B Hunter Schneider: A left-handed arm who will be relied upon for innings and leadership. Schneider also brings value at first base.

-Junior C/3B Tristan Sedberry: Hit .294 with 6 RBI and brings a physical presence in the middle of the order. A multi-sport athlete with toughness who will be leaned on heavily.

-Junior INF Nathanael Candley: A strong, physical newcomer to the program capable of playing anywhere on the infield. Expected to compete for immediate playing time.

 

Underclassmen to Watch

-Sophomore OF Dallas Loche: Saw action in 24 games last season, collecting 10 hits, 3 doubles, and 1 HR. He’ll take over in center field and is already one of the team’s best defenders.

 

-Freshman INF/RHP Brylan Washington: A big-bodied freshman with upside who will contribute both on the mound and at corner infield spots. Could grow into a major piece for Parkway long-term.

 

-Freshman C Easton Hill: Will compete for innings behind the dish. Shows advanced tools for his age and will benefit from early varsity exposure.

Outlook

Parkway enters 2026 with a blend of seniors who have waited their turn and talented young players ready to push for roles. Competing in rugged District 1-5A is never easy, but the Panthers have the makeup of a group that will improve rapidly as the year unfolds.

If the pitching staff settles into defined roles and the young bats gain confidence, Parkway has the potential to surprise opponents and reestablish itself as a tough, hard-nosed team capable of grinding out wins.

This is a club that’s ready to compete—and one that should be firmly on the rise over the next few seasons.

 

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Lake Charles Preseason ID	1/3/26	Sam Houston High School (Moss Bluff, LA)
Lake Charles Rising Stars ID	1/3/26	Sam Houston High School (Moss Bluff, LA)
New Orleans Preseason ID	1/4/26	Hahnville High School (Boutte, LA)
New Orleans Rising Stars ID	1/4/26	Hahnville High School (Boutte, LA)
Baton Rouge Preseason ID	1/10/26	Zachary Youth Park (Zachary, LA)
Baton Rouge Rising Stars ID	1/10/26	Zachary Youth Park (Zachary, LA)