2026 Independence Wildcats Team Preview

December 8, 2025
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: Independence High School
Head Coach: Jordan Edwards
MHSAA Classification: 3A
District Number: Region 2
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 18-11 (Second Round Finish)

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Returning Position Players:

C Merritt Owens (2026)
OF Austin Eddie (2026)
INF Braylon Davis (2026)
INF Kaleb Kitchens (2028)
INF Eli Stepp (2028)

+ Returning Pitchers:

Merritt Owens (2026)
Kaleb Kitchens (2028)
Eli Stepp (2028)
Christian Hinson (2026)

MORE NAMES TO KNOW

2027s:

P Rickey Golden (Transfer from Lake Cormorant)

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

Levi Graham (2028)

2026 OUTLOOK

+ Following an encouraging 18-11 season that culminated in a second-round playoff appearance, Independence is poised for a significant step forward in MHSAA 3A. Independence brings back a competitive roster with a strong mix of upperclass leadership and a talented 2028 group that continues to elevate the program. Key returners like Merritt Owens, Austin Eddie, and Braylon Davis give the Eagles proven experience at multiple positions, while sophomores Kaleb Kitchens and Eli Stepp are poised to take on larger roles as impactful two-way contributors.

The sophomore class as a whole adds a spark of athleticism and upside, with players like Levi Graham expected to provide meaningful depth as they continue to develop. On the mound, the addition of 2027 transfer Rickey Golden strengthens a pitching staff that already returns several familiar arms, giving Coach Jordan Edwards more options and competitiveness throughout the spring.

With returning starters, emerging underclass pieces, and improved depth on the mound, the Eagles look well-positioned to contend in Region 2-3A and push for an even deeper postseason run in 2026.

Find more information on Independence High School’s 2026 season below:

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

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