Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season. Team previews touch on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team Previews are generated through a mixture of coaches' responses gathered through our perennial coaches questionnaires, as well as insight from Prep Baseball Staff. Stay tuned the next several weeks for the unveiling of Team Previews and the complete Power 25.

Today, we preview the #20 ranked Decatur Gators. 

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High School: Decatur Gators   
Head Coach: Chris Fox
Division: 3A
League/Conference: NSPL
2025 Record (Finish): 22-5
2025 Playoff Finish: 3A state quarterfinals

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4
Key Players Lost: Eric Havili, Spencer Holloway, Hunter Buol, Jacob Pech

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Tyler Buol, Ethan Flavel

Bullpen: Dylan Reano, Landon Le, Alex Dutenhoffer

Top Seniors: Dylan Reano, Nate Gilmore, Landon Le, Landen Parker, James Allen, Aiden Reeves

Top Juniors: Tyler Buol, Cervantes Gatterson, Ethan Flavel, Alex Dutenhoffer

Areas to watch: Replacing top of the order & up the middle defense

Team Strengths: Lineup depth, contact, corner INF/OF

Overall Summary

Decatur is coming off of a breakout 2025, finishing 22-5 before falling to the eventual 3A champs Mount Vernon in the state playoffs. The Gators return several key players from a year ago, headlined by junior INF/RHP Tyler Buol. The two-way talent led the team hitting .393 last spring, collecting 33 hits overall. Buol also added 35.1 innings pitched with a 1.19 ERA. The Gators do lose their innings leader from last season in graduated senior Hunter Buol, but arms such as Ethan Flavel have a chance to take a leap on the mound. Flavel allowed just 2 earned runs in 25 innings last season, and carries a physical 6'2 frame and a mid-to-upper 80's fastball that could dominate at the 3A level. Offensively, junior Cervantes Gatterson and senior Nate Gilmore return to the lineup. Gatterson is a twitchy lefty with some gap power, hitting .370 with 11 XBH in 2025. Gilmore hit .333 and provides some thump in the middle of the order. Senior Dylan Reano also provides major power output, slugging 4 home runs last season. Decatur have some intriguing early season matchups against Mount Vernon and Kentlake to highlight their 2026 schedule. Look for the Gators to build on their strong season a year ago and once again make a deep 3A state playoff push.

Find more information on the 2026 Decatur program below:

+ Follow them on IG: decatur_hs_baseball_2025
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 homepage

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