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2026 Tupelo Golden Wave Team Preview

January 28, 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: Tupelo Golden Wave
Head Coach: Scott Gann
MHSAA Classification: 7A
District Number: 1
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 18-16 (Fourth Round Playoffs)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

  • RHP Brody Wilson (2026, Itawamba CC)
  • RHP Tanner Brannigan (2027, Northwest Mississippi CC)

More Names to Know

2026s:

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

  • LHP Braeden Hill (2028)

2026 OUTLOOK

+ Tupelo enters the 2026 season coming off an 18–16 campaign and a fourth-round playoff run in Class 7A, returning a battle-tested core that logged meaningful postseason reps a year ago. Under head coach Scott Gann, the Golden Wave bring back a strong mix of committed upperclassmen and high-upside underclass talent, positioning the program as a contender once again in District 1.

Offensively, Tupelo is built around a group of versatile, physical bats that also provide two-way value. Brody Wilson (2026, Itawamba CC) anchors the lineup while handling duties behind the plate and at first base, giving the Golden Wave a middle-of-the-order presence with added impact on the mound. Kadin Bennett (2026, Itawamba CC) brings reliability on both sides of the ball as well, offering infield stability and another quality arm that allows Tupelo to create matchup advantages throughout the week.

The junior class features two Prep Baseball Future Gamers who add athleticism and upside to the roster. Landon Swinney (2027, Missouri) provides speed and range in the outfield while projecting as an impact offensive piece, and Mason Ballard (2027, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) offers a true multi-positional profile with catching and infield ability to go along with right-handed arm strength. Both have already shown the ability to perform on big stages and figure to play major roles as the season progresses.

On the mound, Wilson headlines the staff, bringing experience and competitiveness from last spring’s playoff push. Tanner Brannigan (2027, Northwest Mississippi CC) adds another reliable option with the ability to cover innings and give opposing lineups a different look. Depth continues to build behind them with Andrew Goad (2026, Belhaven University), a right-handed arm who can also contribute offensively, along with Andrew Kieffer (2026), who provides additional infield depth and lineup flexibility.

With multiple college commits, returning postseason experience, and a strong blend of two-way contributors, Tupelo enters 2026 with the pieces in place to compete at a high level in Class 7A. If the Golden Wave continue to get consistent production from their core bats and solidify pitching roles early, they profile as a well-rounded club capable of making another deep run this spring.

Find more information on Tupelo’s 2026 season below:

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

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