The 2026 Mississippi high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Mississippi.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons at Pearl’s Trustmark Park, in the State Tournament finals at the end of May, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week and updating the Power 25 rankings.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Columbia Academy Cougars
Head Coach: Keith Stanley
MHSAA Classification: MAIS 3A
District Number: District 4
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 28-10 (State Runner-Up)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

• 1B Logan Buckley (2026, Southern Miss)
• OF Reed Duncan (2026, Louisiana Tech)
• OF Roman Lawrence (2026, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)
• UTL Trent Buckley (2027, Ole Miss)
• INF Corban Lawrence (2027)
• OF Carson Stuart (2027)
• C Zac McCain (2027)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

• LHP Logan Buckley
• RHP Reed Duncan
• RHP Roman Lawrence
• RHP Trent Buckley
• RHP Zac McCain

More Names to Know

2026s:

• Cash James (Mississippi Delta CC)

2027s:

• Braxton Sandifer
• Carter McMichael

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TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

• Cruz Stogner

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Columbia Academy enters the 2026 season with unfinished business after a 28–10 campaign that ended as the MAIS 3A State Runner-Up. Under head coach Keith Stanley, the Cougars have built a program rooted in physicality, experience, and depth. This year’s roster suggests they’ll once again be in the middle of the title conversation.

The strength of Columbia Academy starts with a veteran-heavy 2026 class that brings both production and leadership. Logan Buckley (2026, Southern Miss) headlines the group as a true two-way anchor. The left-hander is a presence on the mound and a steady power bat at first base, setting the tone in multiple phases of the game. In the outfield, Reed Duncan (2026, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) and Roman Lawrence (2026, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) provide athleticism and run production, each capable of impacting the game with both their bats and arms. This trio gives the Cougars proven experience in big moments after last year’s deep postseason run.

The 2027 class adds another layer of versatility. Trent Buckley (2027, Ole Miss) stands out as one of the more dynamic pieces on the roster, contributing both on the mound and offensively while bringing high-level projection. Corban Lawrence (2027) and Carson Stuart (2027) offer defensive reliability and lineup depth, while catcher Zac McCain (2027) provides stability behind the plate along with the ability to contribute on the mound. The balance across this group allows Columbia Academy to move pieces around without losing consistency.

On the mound, the Cougars may be as deep as anyone in MAIS 3A. Logan Buckley leads from the left side, while Duncan, Roman Lawrence, Trent Buckley, and McCain give Columbia Academy multiple right-handed options capable of starting or handling leverage innings. That depth should allow the Cougars to manage workloads throughout the season and stay fresh for another postseason push.

Additional contributors like Cash James (2026, Mississippi Delta CC) add senior leadership and depth, while the 2027 group, including Braxton Sandifer and Carter McMichael gives the program continued stability moving forward. Impact underclassman Cruz Stogner is another name to monitor as the season progresses, with the potential to carve out an early role.

With a battle-tested core, legitimate two-way talent, and one of the deeper pitching staffs in the classification, Columbia Academy enters the spring motivated after last year’s runner-up finish. If the Cougars continue to get consistent production from their veteran leaders while younger pieces develop into complementary roles, they have all the ingredients to make another run at a MAIS 3A state title.

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Find more information on Columbia Academy’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on X: @ca__bsb
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our MHSAA Season Preview page

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