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: Oxford Chargers
Head Coach: Cade Hoggard
MHSAA Classification: 7A
District Number: 7A - Region 2
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 18-14 (Second Round Playoffs)

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

• CF James Blackwood (2026, Meridian CC)
• INF/P Rob Upchurch (2028)
• INF/P Hayes Huggins (2027)
• INF/P Ford Wade (2027)
• OF/P Bowen Vaughn (2028)
• INF Whitten Ellis (2026)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

• P Rob Upchurch
• P Hayes Huggins
• P Cade Ferguson (2027)
• P Josh Scruggs (2026)

More Names to Know

2026s:

• OF Logan Dorrell (2026)

2027s:

• LHP/OF William Mayo (2027)

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TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

• OF/RHP Pryce Pinkins (2028)
• SS Price Grantham (2029)

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Oxford returns to the diamond in 2026 coming off an 18–14 season that saw the Chargers advance to the second round of the 7A playoffs. Under head coach Cade Hoggard, this group brings back a versatile core highlighted by multiple two-way contributors, giving Oxford flexibility across the field as they navigate Region 2.

The lineup is anchored by center fielder James Blackwood (2026), whose athleticism and defensive range set the tone up the middle. Blackwood pairs with a group of multi-positional infielders who can also impact the game on the mound, including Rob Upchurch (2028), Hayes Huggins (2027), and Ford Wade (2027). That trio provides depth throughout the infield while supplying offensive upside and pitching options. Bowen Vaughn (2028) adds another athletic outfield presence with two-way value, and Whitten Ellis (2026) gives the Chargers a steady option on the dirt.

On the mound, Oxford features a mix of returning arms led by Upchurch and Huggins, with Cade Ferguson (2027) and Josh Scruggs (2026) rounding out a rotation that offers multiple looks. The Chargers’ pitching staff benefits from several position players who can step into innings, creating matchup flexibility and added depth over the course of the season.

Additional contributors include Logan Dorrell (2026), who adds outfield depth, and William Mayo (2027), a left-handed option who brings value both on the mound and in the field.

Oxford also welcomes impact underclassmen Pryce Pinkins (2028), a transfer from Lubbock, Texas, who adds athleticism and arm strength to the outfield, along with SS Price Grantham (2029), a young infielder to keep an eye on as he gains varsity experience.

With a roster built around versatile athletes and emerging underclass talent, Oxford enters 2026 positioned to build on last year’s playoff run. If the Chargers can find consistency at the plate and continue developing their multi-armed staff, they have the pieces in place to remain competitive in Region 2 and make another postseason push.

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Find more information on Oxford’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on X: @OxfordBaseball1
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our MHSAA Season Preview page

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