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2026 Nebraska High School Team Previews: Volume I

February 21, 2026

Prep Baseball Nebraska strives to be the most comprehensive source of player information across the state. Prep Baseball is the number one resource for high school baseball in each state that we cover through various events, boots-on-the-ground scouting staff, daily coverage, and multimedia platforms. Our multimedia platforms and events work together, creating each state's most potent high school baseball promotion source. While other organizations take a national approach, our goal is to become the authoritative voice on the ground level of each state.

As we prepare for the upcoming 2026 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

LINCOLN EAST SPARTANS

Head Coach: Mychal Lanik (7 seasons, 165-32)

Class: Class A
2025 Record: 33-3, Class A State Champions
X: @EastSpartanBSB

Impact Players:

  • Kalai Larsen, 2027, RHP/SS (Nebraska-Omaha commit)
    .400 BA 13 XBH 6-0 2.55 ERA
  • Brodie Mcintire, 2026,  (St. Thomas commit)
    .314 BA, 5 XBH, 12 SB
  • Dele Odulate, 2026, OF (Nebraska-Omaha commit)
    .333 BA, 18 SB
  • Santino Arranaga, 2026,  (Cloud County CC commit)
    6-1, 1.05 ERA
  • Greyson Bjorkman, 2026, (Southeast CC commit)
    5-0, 2.38 ERA
  • Trevor Roach, 2026, RHP
    2-0, 1 SV, 0.30 ERA

Key Underclass Players:

  • Bradyn Erickson
  • Cade Anderson
  • Fisher Irons 

Coach's Comment:
"A fresh and new group of Spartans is ready for their turn to compete. A really competitive pre-season will determine a ton of things in terms of who is getting innings on a talented pitching staff and earning at bats come March and April. A solid mix of veteran guys who have been there before and new guys who want to prove themselves should make for a fun group to coach."

SKUTT CATHOLIC SKY HAWKS

Head Coach: Damon Day (2 season, 38-19)

Class: Class B
2025 Record: 24-7, Class B State Semifinalist
X: @BaseballSkutt

Impact Players:

  • Cooper Smith, C, 2026 (Iowa Western commit)
  • Easton Elam, IF/RHP, 2027
  • Bubba Day, IF/RHP, 2027 (Tennessee commit)
  • Nate Christiansen, OF/IF, 2026
  • Huston Baren, RHP, 
  • Tate Bertucci, RHP

Key Underclass Players:

  • Braxtyn Blank-Jimenez RHP,
  • Sean Hipsher C,
  • Cole Van Dorn 1B,
  • Brandon Zink IF,
  • Charlie Diedrich IF

Coach's Comment:
"Coming off a strong 2025 campaign that culminated in a NSAA Final Final Four appearance, the Skutt Catholic SkyHawks enter the 2026 season with high expectations and a clear blueprint for victory. For the 2026 season, the SkyHawks' path back to the state tournament will be defined by three core pillars:

1. Elite Pitching Depth: The foundation of the SkyHawks' success starts on the mound. Led by key arms like Easton Elam, Bubba Day, Huston Beran, Tate Bertucci the pitching staff provides the consistency and strike-throwing capability needed to navigate a demanding schedule.

2. Fundamental Defense: In the field, Skutt Catholic needs to value 'taking care of the baseball.' With a roster featuring versatile athletes like Nate Christensen and catcher Cooper Smith, the SkyHawks aim to provide a defense that minimizes extra opportunities for opponents.

3/ Offensively, the SkyHawks utilize a disciplined approach. Rather than relying solely on power, the lineup focuses on situational hitting, aggressive baserunning, and capitalizing on opponent mistakes to manufacture runs in high-leverage moments."

HASTINGS TIGERS

Head Coach: Blake Marquardt (9 seasons, 113-79)

Class: Class B
2025 Record: 13-13, State Qualifier
X: @hhstigerbasebal

Impact Players:

  • Clayten Arlt, 2028
  • Zane Thomsen
  • Peyton Drake 

Key Underclass Players:

  • Quinn Simmons

Coach's Comment:
"Loosing 10 seniors along with 2 other starters due to injury that wont allow them to return for the 2026 season will be a lot to overcome. We have a very strong sophomore and junior class that will need to step up this year if we want to make a run. This team will have a lot to learn but overall they are great athletes and I believe once we get a feel for the game again this team could make some noise."

BUENA VISTA BISON

Head Coach: Jacob Kirmer (3 seasons, 1-44)

Class: Class A
2024 Record: 1-23
X: @OPS_BVHSBB

Impact Players:

Key Underclass Players:

Coach's Comment:
"We have everyone returning with a growing core that has been with us since the first year of the program in 2022-23. We have a good sized freshman class coming into the program this year and are excited to begin working them into the system. We had a lot of growth over the legion season last summer and look to be more competitive each game again this year."

CENTRAL CITY KERNELS

Head Coach: Brandon Detlefsen (7 seasons, 118-49)

Class: Class C
2025 Record: 24-2, Class C State Runner-Up
X: @KernelsBaseball

Impact Players:

Key Underclass Players:

Coach's Comment:
"We are returning 7 starters/key players from last year state runner-up team. There will be a couple open spots to fill this season and we are looking forward to watching the competition play out for those spots. We have several guys who have been waiting for their turn to shine on the varsity stage. Our pitching staff will have about 5 guys returning who have pitched in some big moment games throughout their careers. So, we will lean on those guys as we continue to develop the younger arms."

BEATRICE ORANGEMEN

Head Coach: Zach Decker (3 years, 39-28)

Class: Class B
2025 Record: 9-10
X: @Beatricebasebll 

Impact Players:

Key Underclass Players:

  • James Scholl
  • Colt Rinne

Coach's Comment:
"2026 will be a year of growth for our program."

WAHOO/BISHOP NEUMANN WARRIORS

Head Coach: Kyle Weyers (12 seasons, 140-98)

Class: Class B
2025 Record: 12-12, Lost to Bennington in District Championship
X: @Warrior_Basebal

Impact Players:

Key Underclass Players:

  • Willie Ullery 
  • Brody Milliken (9th),
  • Braylon Pacas (9th),
  • Will Sanderson (9th)

Coach's Comment:
"We have six returning starters, most have started since they were sophomores. Our top three starting pitchers and top three bull pen guys are returning. Our goal is to compete in the state tournament this spring."

ADAMS CENTRAL PATRIOTS

Head Coach: Tim Stroman (2 seasons, 38-16)

Class: Class C
2025 Record: 23-8, Class C State Semifinalist
X: @acbaseball1

Impact Players:

  • Parker Hodgen, C/1B, 2026
  • Nick Mousel, P/OF, 2026
  • Aiden Krejci Sr.,
  • Cody Funk Sr.,
  • Kowen Rader Jr.,
  • Hunter Nepple Jr.,
  • Kraeson Houghtelling Jr.,
  • Owen Brown Jr.,
  • Caleb Reiners Jr.

Key Underclass Players:

  • Gus Hemberger Jr.
  • Ian Cass Jr.
  • Cole Cooper So.
  • Jace Teichmeier So.
  • Cole Larson Fr.
  • Cooper Larson Fr.

Coach's Comment:
"Coming into my third year with the Adams Central program, as a staff we really tried hard to set a high level of expectation and more importantly accountability from day one. Preaching selflessness, hard work, attention to detail, and to play with grit. These players all work extremely hard and have gotten a taste of the state tournament the last two years. The young men are hungry to get back to Omaha and continue to prove themselves."

MORE 2026 NEBRASKA HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT

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