2026 Hardin County Tigers Team Preview

December 23, 2025
Prep Baseball Tennessee Staff

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: Hardin County High School
Head Coach: Connor Creasy
TSSAA Classification: 3A
District: 12
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 24-11 Record (Sectional Appearance)

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

RHP/1B/C Heath Hardin (2028)
CF/P Keaton Davis (2026)
OF/P Maddox Ruddle (2026)
SS/RHP Hayes Malone (2027)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

P Heath Hardin
P Maddox Ruddle
P Matthew White
P Tyler Screws

More Names to Know

2026s:

MIF/RHP Matthew White (2026)

2027s:

OF Carson Stanley (2027)
CINF/P Ayden Weirich (2027)
P Tyler Screws (2027)

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

2026 OUTLOOK

+ Hardin County enters the 2026 season coming off a strong 24–11 campaign that included a Sectional appearance in Class 3A. Under head coach Connor Creasy, the Tigers return a talented and battle-tested core with multiple two-way contributors, giving the program momentum as it looks to make another deep postseason push in District 12.

The lineup is anchored by one of the state’s premier young talents in Heath Hardin (2028), who put together a standout freshman season. Hardin hit .421 with 13 doubles, 41 hits, and 38 RBIs while hitting in the two-hole, showing legitimate power and advanced defensive ability. He also emerged as a key arm, going 4–1 while starting nine games as the team’s No. 2 option on the mound. His performance earned TNBaseballReport Super Freshman Team honors along with All-District Regular Season recognition.

Veteran leadership comes from center fielder Keaton Davis (2026), who delivered a strong junior campaign, hitting .333 with a .486 on-base percentage, 30 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases. Davis also contributed valuable innings out of the bullpen and was named to the All-District Tournament Team. Maddox Ruddle (2026) was another major piece, starting seven games on the mound with a 6–2 record and posting a 3.80 ERA. Offensively, Ruddle reached base at a .445 clip and swiped 12 bags, making him a true impact player on both sides of the ball.

In the middle of the field, Hayes Malone (2027) returns after a productive sophomore season in which he hit .309 with a .392 OBP, scored 29 runs, and led the team with 21 stolen bases. Malone’s athleticism also translates to the mound, where he features a low-80s fastball and an advanced breaking ball. He earned All-District Regular Season honors and continues to trend upward entering the spring.

Pitching depth remains a strength for Hardin County, with Hardin and Ruddle leading the staff, supported by Matthew White (2026) and Tyler Screws (2027). White provides value as a middle infielder and right-handed arm, while Screws returns as another option capable of handling innings. Additional depth comes from the 2027 class with Carson Stanley and Ayden Weirich, both of whom add versatility to the roster.

The Tigers also welcome a trio of underclass newcomers, Gavin Cromwell, Ben Williams, and Jett Littlefield (all 2029) who represent the next wave of talent within the program.

With proven production, multiple two-way standouts, and depth on the mound, Hardin County looks well-positioned to build on last season’s success and remain a factor in District 12 during the 2026 season.

Find more information on Hardin County High School’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on X: @baseball_hchs | Instagram: @hardincountybaseball
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our TSSAA Season Preview page

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