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2026 Hamilton Lions Team Preview

January 6, 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: Hamilton Lions
Head Coach: Dallas Flippo
MHSAA Classification: 2A
District Number: Region 1
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 22-13 (Final Four Appearance)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

UTL Braedyn Lackie (2026, East Mississippi CC)
 

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

  • RHP J.D. Whitaker (2026)
  • RHP Braedyn Lackie (2026)
  • LHP Seth Welch (2028)
  • LHP Cody Staten (2026)
  • RHP Ian Nichols (2028)
RHP JD Whitaker (2026, Pearl River CC)

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

2026 OUTLOOK

+ Hamilton enters the 2026 season with momentum and confidence after a 22–13 campaign that culminated in a Final Four appearance in Class 2A. Under head coach Dallas Flippo, the Lions bring back a veteran-heavy core loaded with athleticism, versatility, and postseason experience. The strength of this group lies in its depth and positional flexibility, allowing Hamilton to match up well across the region while maintaining its aggressive, pressure-based style of play.

Offensively, the Lions are anchored by a dynamic senior class. East Mississippi CC signee Braedyn Lackie sets the tone at the top of the order after hitting .395 last spring, pairing elite speed with a smooth glove as he shifts into the shortstop role. In the middle of the lineup, Pearl River CC signee J.D. Whitaker provides a proven bat and leadership presence, having eclipsed .300 with extra-base production over the last two seasons while also serving as the staff ace. Northwest CC signee Myles Self returns as a fixture in center field, where his instincts, arm strength, and left-handed pop give Hamilton impact on both sides of the ball. Paxton Dobbs and Justin Verner round out a steady senior group, offering reliability behind the plate, defensive highlights in the outfield, and timely offensive contributions.

Hamilton’s underclass talent raises the ceiling even higher. Super Sophomores Isaiah “Ian” Nichols and Seth Welch headline one of the more intriguing young duos in the state, combining elite athleticism, defensive versatility, and disruptive speed. Welch’s ability to get on base at a .507 clip and Nichols’ production in the heart of the order give the Lions matchup problems throughout the lineup, while eighth-grader-turned-starter Tez Danner adds another dynamic element with his speed and polish well beyond his years.

On the mound, Hamilton returns a battle-tested staff led by former Future Gamer Whitaker, who has piled up 292 career strikeouts, with Lackie, Welch, and Nichols providing multiple looks and weapons. Left-hander Cody Staten adds a crafty change-of-pace option, giving the Lions balance and flexibility throughout a game or series. With experience at nearly every position and a roster built to impact the game in multiple ways, Hamilton enters 2026 as a legitimate contender once again in Class 2A.

Find more information on Hamilton’s 2026 season below:

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

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