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2026 South Gibson County Hornets Team Preview

January 13, 2026
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: South Gibson County Hornets
Head Coach: Lin Cates
TSSAA Classification: 3A
District: 13AAA
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 34-11 (State Tournament Appearance)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

MIF Tommy Baker (2026, MTSU)

RHP/UTL Tyler DeHaan (2028)


+ Top Returning Pitchers:

More Names to Know

2026s:

  • C Davis McKinney

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

2026 OUTLOOK

+ South Gibson County enters the 2026 spring carrying the momentum of a 34–11 season and a State Tournament appearance, firmly establishing itself as one of the premier programs in Class 3A. Under head coach Lin Cates, the Hornets bring back a veteran, college-committed core on both sides of the ball, blending physicality, athleticism, and depth throughout the roster. With postseason expectations firmly in place, South Gibson County looks built to contend again in District 13AAA and beyond as this looks to be the year that they finally get over the hump and finish the season as state champions.

The lineup is headlined by a group of experienced, impact bats with positional versatility. Cade Allen (Tennessee) returns as a middle-of-the-order presence who can impact games at first base and on the mound, providing leadership and physicality. Tommy Baker (Middle Tennessee State) anchors the middle infield with advanced defensive actions and a polished offensive approach, while also offering two-way value as a right-handed arm. Jacob Bateman continues to develop into a run-producing threat at third base, and Brock Beasley gives the Hornets another reliable outfield bat capable of driving the baseball. Cason Coggins adds athleticism and left-handed balance to the lineup, while Mark Brafa’s versatility up the middle provides lineup flexibility and defensive stability. Younger contributors like Tyler DeHaan and Miles McClure bring added depth and upside, especially with McClure’s ability to impact the game from behind the plate.

On the mound, South Gibson County once again profiles as one of the deeper staffs in the classification. Even after losing Allen for the season on the mound, the Hornets return a solid core group in DeHaan, Coggins, McClure, Jackson Strickland, and Drake Lewis, giving the pitching staff multiple looks and the ability to manage innings throughout a long season. The staff’s mix of right- and left-handed arms allows for matchup advantages, while returning experience from postseason play should pay dividends in tight district and playoff games. DeHaan’s emergence as a two-way contributor adds another layer of value, while the continued development of the underclass arms raises the overall ceiling of the group.

Additional pieces like Davis McKinney, who returns after starting at catcher a year ago and adds positional versatility, further strengthen the roster. The incoming 2028 class, highlighted by Gage Allen, Lucas Krawczyk, Drake Lewis, Harper Rushing, and Brady Miller adds depth, competition, and long-term upside as they push for varsity roles.

With a proven track record, multiple college commitments, and depth across the diamond, South Gibson County enters 2026 as a legitimate state contender. If the Hornets continue to get consistent production from their veteran core while integrating their talented underclassmen, this group has all the ingredients to make another deep postseason run in Class 3A.

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

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

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