The 2026 Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Murfreesboro at the state tournament championships – 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 Tennessee. 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.

Please note that all Team Previews were submitted by High School Coaches.

High School: Hampshire Hawks
Head Coach: Blake Rochelle
TSSAA Classification: 1A
District: 10
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 19-12 (Regional Tournament)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

• OF/RHP Eli Stephens (2026)
• OF/RHP Dalen Sims (2026)
• DH/RHP Keaon Nicholson (2026)
• C Kameron Nicholson (2028)
• INF/RHP Therin Brown (2028)
• 1B/LHP Dakota Disbro (2028)
• SS Trace Hoffmann (2028)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

• P Eli Stephens
• P Dalen Sims
• P Matthew Fincher
  

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Hampshire enters the 2026 season riding program-defining momentum after a 19–12 campaign that produced the most wins in over two decades and the first regional tournament appearance in school history. Under head coach Blake Rochelle, the Hawks bring back a competitive core that helped establish a new standard in 2025, and they now look to build on that breakthrough season as they compete in District 10.

Offensively, Hampshire returns several key pieces who drove last year’s success. Eli Stephens (2026) headlines the group as a true two-way contributor, impacting games both from the outfield and on the mound. His athleticism and ability to contribute in multiple phases make him a central figure in the Hawks’ lineup. Dalen Sims (2026) provides another versatile bat with right-handed arm strength, giving Hampshire speed and defensive range in the outfield while also factoring into the pitching mix.

Keaon Nicholson (2026) adds depth and run production from the DH spot, while Kameron Nicholson (2028) continues to develop as a young catcher with upside on both sides of the ball. The infield group features Therin Brown (2028), a two-way profile who brings athleticism and arm strength, along with Dakota Disbro (2028), a left-handed first baseman who provides size in the middle of the order and value on the mound. Trace Hoffmann (2028) rounds out the returning core as a developing shortstop who adds defensive stability and long-term projection to the middle infield.

On the mound, Hampshire will again rely on Stephens and Sims to shoulder significant innings, with Matthew Fincher returning as another key arm in the rotation. That trio gives the Hawks multiple looks on the bump and experience in high-leverage situations after navigating postseason play a year ago.

With returning two-way contributors, a growing group of underclassmen, and confidence built from a historic 2025 season, Hampshire enters 2026 positioned to continue its upward trajectory. If the Hawks can maintain consistency on the mound and get continued development from their young core, they have the pieces in place to push for another postseason run in Class 1A.

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Find more information on Hampshire’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on Facebook: Hampshire High School Baseball
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our TSSAA Season Preview page

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