2026 Power 25 Countdown: No. 16 Science Hill Hilltoppers

The Science Hill baseball program finished the 2025 season going 32-15 and getting put out by Oak Ridge in region play. Going into the spring, the Hilltoppers return 7 out of the 9 players in their lineup along with the majority of their pitching rotation. 

Returning to his usual spot in the 3 hole and first base is 2026 1B Nate Stoots who is also a Walters State CC commit. Nate holds the Science Hill record for RBI’s at 55 which he will look to build upon this spring. The catcher position will once again be locked down by 2026 C Aiden Vermillion who has a great build for a catcher standing at 5’10 180 lbs. Aiden will add some pop in the middle of the lineup. 2026 Haydon Smelser will hit at the top of the lineup and play second base. At the plate, Haydon is an on base machine, doing a great job of setting up the middle of the lineup. 2026 Tusculum commit RHP/OF Caden Wells returns as the ace of the staff and will also hit in the middle of the order and play outfield for the Hilltoppers. Caden has been a lockdown pitcher who sits in the upper 80s. 2026 RHP Sam Royston will be a valuable arm that worked primarily out of the pen in 2025 and also sits upper 80s with his fastball. The biggest wildcard coming into the year will be 2026 RHP Cole ReSue, who is one of the best uncommitted arms in the country. Cole should be back to 100% which will be huge for the Hilltoppers. On the mound, Cole has electric stuff with a fastball up to 91 MPH and a mix of nasty offspeed pitches to go along with it. 

Science Hill returns one of the most veteran teams in the state of Tennessee. After winning 32 games in 2025, the Hilltoppers should be one of the favorites to make a run to Murfreesboro.