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: Lakeway Christian Academy Lions
Head Coach: Chuck Hargis
TSSAA Classification: D2-1A
District: D2-1A East
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 23-14 (State Tournament Appearance)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ No. Returning Positional Starters:

• CF Bryson Allen (2026)
• 1B Hudson Ford (2026)
• MIF Kyler Worsham (2027)
• CINF/RHP Chase Gockenbach (2028)

+ No. Returning Pitchers:

• P Chase Gockenbach
• P Jovin Willems
• P Daniel Rodriguez
• P Luke Burnett
  

More Names to Know

2026s:

• CF Bryson Allen (2026)
• 1B/DH Hudson Ford (2026)
• UTL/RHP Luke Burnett (2026)
• C Cainan Crowe (2026, Pellissippi State)
• CINF/C Jack Hamilton (2026)
• OF/RHP Gabo Perez (2026)
• OF Bryson Miller (2026)

2027s:

• RHP Daniel Rodriguez (2027)
• MIF/RHP Kyler Worsham (2027)
• MIF/RHP Diego Pinilla (2027)
• OF/RHP Kieran McKee (2027)

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Lakeway Christian Academy enters the 2026 season coming off a 23–14 campaign that resulted in a State Tournament appearance in Division II-1A, reinforcing the Lions’ reputation as a consistent postseason presence under head coach Chuck Hargis. With a strong blend of returning starters, pitching depth, and a deep junior class, Lakeway is positioned to remain a factor in the D2-1A East race.

Offensively, the Lions bring back key pieces up the middle and in the heart of the order. Bryson Allen returns as the everyday center fielder, providing speed, range, and table-setting ability at the top of the lineup. At first base, Hudson Ford anchors the middle of the order with physicality and run-producing potential, while also offering flexibility as a DH. Kyler Worsham gives Lakeway a reliable presence in the middle infield, combining defensive steadiness with emerging two-way value. Behind the plate and around the infield, Chase Gockenbach continues to develop into a valuable positional glue piece, capable of impacting the game defensively while adding depth to the pitching staff.

On the mound, the Lions return multiple arms with varsity experience, allowing them to mix roles throughout the season. Gockenbach headlines the staff, with Jovin Willems, Daniel Rodriguez, and Luke Burnett providing depth and versatility. Burnett’s ability to contribute as both a utility player and right-handed arm adds flexibility, while Rodriguez continues to develop as a young pitcher with upside. This returning group gives Lakeway the opportunity to manage innings and stay fresh as the postseason approaches.

The depth of the roster is further highlighted by a large group of experienced 2026s, including Cainan Crowe and Jack Hamilton behind the plate, along with outfield and two-way options like Gabo Perez and Bryson Miller. The 2027 class featuring Daniel Rodriguez, Diego Pinilla, and Kieran McKee adds athleticism, arm strength, and competition across the diamond, helping raise the overall ceiling of the roster.

With postseason experience, returning production, and depth across multiple classes, Lakeway Christian Academy enters 2026 as a well-balanced club with the pieces to make another run in Division II-1A. If the Lions continue to get consistent offensive contributions while solidifying roles on the mound, they have the makeup of a team capable of another deep postseason push.

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Find more information on Lakeway Christian Academy’s 2026 season below:

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

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