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2026 High School Team Preview: Jackson Lumen Christi Titans

JACKSON - With five consecutive seasons of making it to the regionals or beyond, Jackson Lumen Christi Catholic is thinking about winning a state championship in 2026.

“I’m happy with the year we had,” head coach Derek Tracy said about his first year as head coach when the Titans advanced to the state quarterfinals before losing to Liggett 2-0. “The team was tough, that was our motto. This year, battle is the motto. Battle for your teammates.”

With eight seniors leading the way, Tracy believes this could be a special year for a program that went 31-7 last season, the second straight 30-plus win season.

“We’ll have some good senior leadership,” noted the second-year head coach, who has been with the program for 11 years. “It’s going to be a gritty team. We won’t wow anyone, but it’s a team that will battle. I think we’ll be scrappy and fight. It’s a real tight-knit group. They’ll battle for one another.”

Wes Learned went 6-3 with a 1.542 ERA in 2025, fanning 97 in 59 innings while Nolan Huff was 5-0 with a 1.547 ERA, throwing 31.2 frames.

Learned, a junior left-handeder, and Huff, a senior right-hander, will both also play outfield. Learned batted .318 with 22 RBIs and 20 runs while Huff had an OBP of .345 in limited action at the plate.

Three-hole batter Benney Gaston, a junior shortstop, was the top hitter a year ago at .417 with 37 RBIs, 30 runs, 10 triples, eight doubles and 24 stolen bases.

Leadoff hitter Paul Sattler, who swings from the left side like Gaston, had a .395 average with 38 runs, 23 RBIs, 23 walks and 24 steals. A senior three-year starter who is committed to Kalamazoo Valley, Sattler will play third base.

Gibson Shore, who batted second much of last year, will see time at second base, outfield and on the mound. A Bowling Green recruit in cross country, the senior averaged .267 with 20 runs and 17 stolen bases while throwing 10 innings with a 1-1 record.

Senior center fielder Jack Fitzpatrick is back after batting .347 with 22 runs scored while Logan Hetherington, a senior first baseman/outfielder, will return after missing most of last season with an injury.

Antwon Baker, a senior left-handed hitter committed to Northwood for football, who threw 7.1 innings last season, will also play first with Tommy King, Harrison Botke and Kellen Crowley competing for time at second base along with Shore.

Senior Holden Luce and juniors Harrison Botke and Owen Powers are potential catchers with Brennan Brogan, a left-handed sophomore, penciled in to see time on the mound and in the outfield.

“We had two number one pitchers the last couple of years,” explained Tracy. “This year we’ll have good depth on the mound.”

The head coach was quick to point out the key to success.

“Five district titles in a row comes down to defense,” Tracy said. “That’s won us games. “We have good bats and speed, but defense wins championships, I believe that.”

Liggett, Lutheran North, Divine Child and Cardinal Mooney are teams Tracy mentioned when looking at top contenders in the Catholic League this season.

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