2026 HS Team Preview: JJ Pearce Mustangs

December 24, 2025
Prep Baseball Texas Staff

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: JJ Pearce Mustangs
Head Coach: Justin Roland (160 career wins … 112 at Pearce; Coaching Staff of the Year: 2022, 2023, 2024; 2024 Region 1 Finalists)
UIL Classification: 6A-7
Team Strengths: Experience
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 17-18 (6A Area Finalists)
Key Players Lost:

Andrew French - 2nd Team All-District Pitcher
Gavin Pead - 2nd Team All-District Pitcher

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

C Brody Ross (2026) - 2nd Team All-District C
SS Nate Kinder (2026) - 2nd Team All-District SS
3B Nash Hornberger (2026) - 2nd Team All-District 3B
RHP/1B Drew Vines (2027) - 1st Team All-District P
OF Ty Henkel (2027) - 2nd Team All-District
OF Luke Roberts (2027) - 2nd Team All-District
1B Deuce Hernandez (2027) - All-District Honorable Mention
2B Lincoln Boyuls (2027) - All-District Honorable Mention
Number of Returning Position Players: 8
Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: 4
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 4

TOP NEWCOMERS

RHP Brooks Hale (2027)
LHP Noah Joseph (2028)

FRESHMEN TO FOLLOW

INF/RHP Jacob Klein (2029)
INF/OF Grayer Davis (2029)
RHP Josh Havis (2029)

COACH’S QUOTE

“In 2025, we replaced our entire pitching staff and lineup. We battled through a tough tournament season and began to find our stride once district play started. We ultimately turned 2025 into a major success, advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

Looking ahead to 2026, we return a seasoned group—all with more than 50 varsity at-bats—and a pitching staff bringing back 160 innings of experience. Our goals are clear: reclaim the top spot in District 7-6A and use that momentum to propel us into a deep playoff run in May.”

- Justin Roland, JJ Pearce Head Coach

TEAM OUTLOOK

Following a transformative 2025 season where they successfully replaced their entire pitching staff and nearly their entire starting lineup, the JJ Pearce Mustangs enter 2026 as a formidable, veteran-led squad. Despite a slow start last year, the team found its rhythm during district play, eventually clinching a playoff series victory in a dramatic 10-inning thriller. This resilience propelled them to the second round of the playoffs, finishing the year with a 17-18 record and establishing a foundation of experience they intend to build upon this spring.

The Mustangs' primary strength heading into the 2026 season is their deep pool of returning talent, losing only one pitcher and one position player from the previous roster. The defense is anchored by a core of seniors, including All-District selections Brody Ross (C), Nate Kinder (SS), and Nash Hornberger (3B). The pitching staff is equally seasoned, led by 1st Team All-District right-hander Drew Vines, and bolstered by returning starters and relievers who collectively bring 160 innings of varsity experience back to the mound.

Beyond the veteran core, Pearce is integrating promising new talent and underclassmen expected to make an immediate impact. Sophomore newcomers RHP Brooks Hale and LHP Noah Joseph join the pitching rotation, while a talented 2029 class featuring Jacob Klein, Grayer Davis, and Josh Havis provides depth across the diamond. With eight returning position players and eight returning pitchers, the Mustangs are well-positioned to pursue a deep postseason run in 2026.

Find more information on the 2026 JJ Pearce program below:

+ 2026 JJ Pearce Schedule
+ Follow on X/Twitter: @jjphsbaseball
+ Follow on Instagram: @jjpbaseball
+ Prep Baseball Texas Team Preview Page