The 2026 Texas 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 Texas.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Austin at the UIL State Tournament in June, 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 Texas. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 30 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.

High School: Henrietta Bearcats
Head Coach: Jay Darneal (2018 TAPPS State Champion)
UIL Classification: 3A-7
Team Strengths: Pitching
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 15-15-1 (3A Area Finalists)
Key Players Lost:

• 1B Dakota Walker - All-District

   

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• RHP/INF Caden Frost (2026; Connors State) - 2025 District Utility POTY
• C/SS Wyatt Mayfield (2026) - 2025 1st Team All-District
  
• INF/RHP Cooper Coleman (2026) - 2025 1st Team All-District
• 1B Gage McDonald (2026) - 2024 1st Team All-District
• 2B Lawson Fleming (2026) - 2025 2nd Team All-District
• OF/LHP Pate Cody (2027) - 2025 1st Team All-District
  
• OF Kooper Wood (2027) - 2025 2nd Team All-District
• INF/C Gavin Whitehead (2028) - 2025 2nd Team All-District
• OF/RHP Case Timberlake (2028)
• Number of Returning Position Players: 9
• Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: Top 3
• Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: Top 3

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FRESHMEN TO FOLLOW

• UTL/RHP Daison Glasgow (2029)

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COACH’S QUOTE

“We have a lot of seniors with loads of experience and talent. Will have to navigate through an extremely tough and deep district, which should help if we can get to the playoffs.”

- Jay Darneal, Henrietta Head Coach

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Henrietta Bearcats enter the 2026 season with momentum following a competitive 2025 campaign. Last year, the Bearcats finished as 3A Area Finalists with a record of 15-15-1, a season highlighted by a narrow 4-2 loss to the eventual state champion, Wall, in the area round of the playoffs. With nine returning position players and their top three starting pitchers back on the roster, the team is built on a foundation of veteran experience and continuity.

Pitching is expected to be the primary strength for Henrietta this year. The rotation is led by senior Caden Frost, a Connors State commit who set a school record with 122 strikeouts during the 2025 season on his way to earning District Utility Player of the Year honors. He is joined by a deep group of returning talent, including All-District selections C/SS Wyatt Mayfield, INF/RHP Cooper Coleman, and OF/LHP Pate Cody, all of whom provide high-level production on both sides of the ball.

While the team lost All-District first baseman Dakota Walker to graduation, the roster remains deep with proven starters like Gage McDonald, Lawson Fleming, and Kooper Wood. Additionally, younger players like Gavin Whitehead and Case Timberlake are expected to build on their varsity experience from last season. With a veteran-heavy lineup and an established pitching staff, the Bearcats are positioned to be a formidable contender in the state’s 3A class.

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Find more information on the 2026 Henrietta program below:

+ 2026 Henrietta Schedule
+ Follow on X/Twitter: @940BoysBaseball
+ Follow on Instagram: @940BoysBaseball
+ Prep Baseball Texas Team Preview Page

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