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2026 East Webster Wolverines Team Preview

February 5, 2026
Prep Baseball Mississippi Staff

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: East Webster Wolverines
Head Coach: Blake Hutchinson
MHSAA Classification: 2A
District Number: 4
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 25-10 (Fourth Round Playoffs)

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

  • LHP Jordan Gaskin 
  • RHP Kage McHann 
  • RHP Kross Avent 
  • RHP Jace Yates (2027)

2026 OUTLOOK

+ East Webster enters the 2026 season coming off a strong 25–10 campaign and a fourth-round playoff run in Class 3A, returning a productive core that gained valuable postseason experience a year ago. Under head coach Blake Hutchinson, the Wolverines bring back a balanced mix of offensive contributors and reliable arms, positioning themselves as a team with both proven production and emerging upside as they navigate District 4.

The offense is led by first baseman Jordan Gaskin (2026), who hit .325 last spring while adding extra-base impact with seven doubles and a home run. Gaskin provides a steady presence in the middle of the order and pairs his offensive production with a strong two-way profile. Behind the plate, Elliot Grimes (2028) impressed as an underclassman, posting a .350 average with eight doubles, a home run, and 34 RBI. His ability to drive in runs while handling the pitching staff gives East Webster a foundational piece moving forward.

Kross Avent (2028) adds versatility as a utility option who hit .319 with 20 RBI, offering athleticism and flexibility across multiple positions. Kage McHann (2028) brings middle-infield stability with developing offensive upside, while Miles Stidham (2028) provides athletic range in the outfield. Cooper Stidham (2026) anchors the hot corner, and Hunter Stewart (2026) adds experience and depth in the infield, rounding out a lineup that returns several everyday contributors.

On the mound, East Webster features a deep group of arms headlined by left-hander Jordan Gaskin, who went 9–1 last season with 74 strikeouts across 59.2 innings. Gaskin profiles as the staff ace and sets the tone at the front of the rotation. McHann (6–3, 40 K) and Avent (42 K in 29 IP) provide additional strike-throwing options with swing-and-miss ability, giving the Wolverines multiple looks on the bump. Jace Yates (2027) rounds out the returning pitching group and continues to develop as another dependable inning option.

Additional contributors such as Stewart (2026) and Yates (2027) add depth to both the lineup and staff, while the returning underclass core represents a strong developmental base for the program.

With returning offensive production, a proven frontline arm, and several young pieces already logging varsity reps, East Webster enters 2026 as a well-rounded club with postseason experience. If the Wolverines continue to build on last spring’s momentum and get consistent contributions from their underclass talent, they have the pieces in place to make another deep run as they compete in Class 2A this spring.

Find more information on East Webster's 2026 season below:

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

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