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: Starkville Academy Volunteers
Head Coach: Justin Flake
MHSAA Classification: MAIS Class 4A
District Number: District 2
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 19-9 (First Round Playoffs)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

• RHP Samuel Buckner (2026, Northwest Mississippi CC)
• OF Owen Couvillion (2026, East Mississippi CC)
• UTL Blake Little (2026, Holmes CC)
• INF/RHP Brody Burkley (2026)
• UTL Brantley Berkery (2027)
• INF Brennan Templeton (2027)
• OF Joseph Portera (2027)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

• RHP Samuel Buckner
• LHP Julian Kraker
• RHP Brody Burkley
• RHP Jack Johnson

More Names to Know

2027s:

• UTL/ P Micah Buckner (2027)

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TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

• C Lawson Mullins (2029)
• INF/RHP Jack Northcutt (2029)

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Starkville Academy enters the 2026 season looking to build on a solid 19–9 campaign in MAIS Class 4A, returning a veteran core with college commitments and two-way versatility across the roster. Under head coach Justin Flake, the Volunteers bring back experience on both sides of the ball and project as a competitive group within District 2 as roles continue to solidify this spring.

Offensively, the lineup is led by a group of 2026 graduates who have logged significant varsity reps. Samuel Buckner (Northwest Mississippi CC) returns as a key two-way presence, impacting games with his bat while also anchoring the pitching staff. Owen Couvillion (East Mississippi CC) provides athleticism and run-producing ability in the outfield, while Blake Little (Holmes CC) gives the Volunteers a versatile, dependable piece capable of contributing at multiple positions. Brody Burkley adds value as an infielder with power potential and the ability to take the ball on the mound, giving Starkville Academy lineup flexibility throughout the season.

The underclass core continues to grow in importance, with Brantley Berkery and Brennan Templeton providing depth and competition in the infield, and Joseph Portera adding speed and athleticism in the outfield. This group will be asked to take on larger roles as the season progresses and help stabilize the lineup around the veteran pieces.

On the mound, Starkville Academy returns multiple arms with varsity experience. Buckner headlines the staff, while Julian Kraker is expected to log significant innings as a left-handed option capable of creating matchup challenges. Burkley and Jack Johnson give the Volunteers additional right-handed depth, allowing them to mix roles and manage innings effectively. The presence of Micah Buckner as a 2027 two-way piece further strengthens the overall pitching picture.

Impact underclassmen Lawson Mullins and Jack Northcutt add long-term upside, with Mullins providing depth behind the plate and Northcutt offering athleticism and arm strength that could translate into meaningful opportunities sooner rather than later.

With a strong senior class, returning arms, and developing underclass talent, Starkville Academy enters 2026 as a well-rounded club with the experience and depth to compete consistently in MAIS Class 4A and push toward a strong postseason showing.

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

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

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