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Ten Washington High School Matchups to Circle in 2026

March 9, 2026
Dylan Grenz
Assistant Scouting Director

As the 2026 high school baseball season begins, teams across the state carry high expectations and dreams of competing for state titles. Plenty of high-level matchups will take place throughout the spring. 

After the debut of the format in 2025, Prep Baseball Washington is back for year two of highlighting ten matchups we're looking forward to this season. Game schedules were researched through Maxpreps and WIAA schedule releases. Whether it be a clash of top talent, rematches for playoff hopefuls, or intruiging team matchups and storylines, Washington high school baseball will certainly offer diverse entertainment.

Below, we break down ten of the more intruiging matchups. Stay tuned this spring for Prep Baseball's complete high school baseball coverage, including our Power 25 Team Previews here.

Top 10 High School Matchups

3/12 - Mount Vernon vs. Decatur

A rematch of a 3A quarterfinal in the state playoffs last spring sees two of the better 3A sides face off in the early season. Mount Vernon, the defending 3A state champions and a 25-3 team last season, lose first round draft pick and Prep Baseball All-American Xavier Neyens, but still feature plenty of offensive firepower. Senior and Seattle U commit Baird Brewer provides experience atop the lineup and on the left side of the dirt. Bellevue College commit Bode Webb can generate a ton of power from the left side, while Edmonds CC commit Brady Collins and junior Reece Roberts provide athleticism as returners from the title-winning squad.

Decatur loses two of their bats from a year ago, but still have an enticing offensive group. Junior Tyler Buol was exceptional in 2025, hitting .393 while providing 35 innings on the mound with a 1.19 ERA. Senior infielder Dylan Reano has some of the best raw power in the class in the middle of the Gator order. Junior outfielder Cervantes Gatterson has pop from the left side as well, while junior INF/RHP Ethan Flavel is a breakout candidate after a strong winter showcase look. Two teams with legitimate 3A title hopes will make for an intriguing early-season matchup.

3/20 - Seattle Academy vs. Tumwater

There are a number of great matchups at the second annual Baseballism Classic Tournament taking place in the Vancouver area, a tournament covered in its entirety by Prep Baseball staff. However, the potential pitching matchup of this one makes it a can't-miss late in March. Seattle Academy is headlined by top-ranked 2026 and Vanderbilt commit Eli Herst. The Prep Baseball All-American features a fastball into the low 90's with a great blend of projectability and current pitchability. Fellow senior and Washington commit LHP Dashiell Story is a big weapon on the mound as well.

Tumwater is headlined by Michigan commit and Future Games standout Luke Overbay. The OF/RHP excelled offensively and likely sticks as a position player long term, but can run his fastball into the low 90's as well. RHP Braeden Konrad is another proven arm that can compete. On the offensive side, seniors Peyton Davis and Charlie Crawford bring speed and contact ability to one of the best 2A teams in the state. Tumwater may well move deep into the state tournament, making this potential test against an electric arm an important step in their 2026 season.

3/21 - West Valley (Yakima) vs. Kennewick

Two teams on the eastern side of the state with fantastic 2025 season earned spots in our Preseason Power 25 and will face off in Yakima. West Valley will be hungry after a 21-3 season that ended in an early round playoff exit. The Rams bring back dynamic two-way junior Rhyse Elder, who got the nod on the mound in every big spot last spring while providing power from the middle of the order. Seniors Colby Graham and Alex Morales are talented lefty sticks who can impact the game in a number of ways.

Kennewick finished runner-up in 3A last season, falling to Mount Vernon after a great playoff run. Senior OF/LHP Dylan Mamiya is one of the best top of the order bats in the state with his speed and hit tool combination. Mamiya will also be leaned upon heavily on the bump. Senior and Walla Walla CC commit Trayce Teagle was instrumental last season, as was senior Columbia Basin commit Dominic Driver. This matchup should have no shortage of offense and be an entertaining, close contest.

3/25 - Eastlake vs. Lake Washington

How about a 4A state title game rematch? Eastlake, 4A runners up last season, finished 23-9 and exceeded expectations at every turn. The Wolves return top arm Rodrigo Montano, who spun 56 innings to a 1.36 ERA last spring. Junior arm Connor Maynard can dominate when right and was great at Prep Baseball's Future Games last fall. On the offensive side, seniors Larson Kohlmann and Jayden Matsuoka return as key pieces who impact the game in different ways.

Defending 4A state champions Lake Washington lose some key pieces from their 20-11 team, but should still be a state-caliber side. Senior OF/P and Gonzaga commit Will Cooley provides a quality bat and speed atop the lineup, while junior INF Noah Kwon is a steady presence at shortstop who has made strides in recent months. Senior Kane Nishikawa is another key returner in the infield. Both teams are extremely well-coached and play with an aggressive, gritty style, which should make this game a close, hard fought contest.

3/31 - Tahoma vs. Kennedy Catholic

A bout between two teams that figure to be atop the NPSL is one to circle, as both teams can take big leaps from last season if everything clicks. Tahoma may have the most talented set of arms in the state, with senior LHP and Oregon State commit Neal Burtis leading the way. Junior RHP and Washington commit Talon Coker is a high-upside arm who impressed at Future Games last summer, while senior RHP/INF and New Mexico State commit Beckett Turnbow can provide electricity at the back end of games. Juniors Trey Davies and Grayson Turnbow are productive pieces offensively as well.

Kennedy Catholic returns the reigning NPSL Player of the Year in Dante Saladino, who hit over .370 at the plate while throwing 44 IP and dominating on the mound. Senior LHP and Washington State commit Harvey Lieberman brings pitchability and moxie to the mound. Senior backstop and UNLV commit Ka'ipo Matsushima had a great 2025 and brings an experienced presence to the team. Liam Rhoads and Brayden Seiber are key bats as well. Both teams will be monitored closely by Prep Baseball staff with a chance to surpass their 2025 season successes.

4/6 - Bainbridge vs. Jackson

Both teams worked deep into their respective playoff races in 2025, with Bainbridge securing a 2A state title. The Spartans return reigning league MVP and POTY contender McCrea Curfman. The Utah Valley commit is a dominant upper 80's arm on the mound and an on-base machine at the plate. Senior RHP and Oregon commit Trey Thompson is a high-upside arm who works a fastball into the low 90's. The offense is superb, with senior Will Rohrbacher providing thump and AJ Larsen setting a tone atop a lineup. 

Jackson returns their top two arms from last spring in Ashton Bergman and Quin Johns, two college commits who pound the strike zone and saw successful 2025's. Gavin Clark provides velocity on the mound, while Gavin Duckart and Austin Halvorson are a duo of juniors that should be instrumental. A faceoff of two top-ten ranked teams in our Preseason Power 25 should make for a great game.

4/7 - Sumner vs. Puyallup

This is a big one. The number 1 and 3 ranked teams in our Preseason Power 25 face off twice in the SPSL, and both teams have justifiable cases to take home a 4A title by season's end. Sumner arguably boasts the most talented roster top to bottom, led at the top by POTY candidate and PNW Preseason All-State standout RHP/OF Wyatt Plyler. D1 talent litters the field, including Portland commit shortstop Drew Wicklander, Washington commit infielder Jake Miller, and New Mexico State commit catcher Evan Hellner.

Meanwhile, Puyallup will be motivated by a 28-1 season that fell short in the 4A state semi's. Though they lose two-time Washington Player of the Year Mason Pike, they carry plenty of skill all over the diamond. Junior shortstop and Washington commit Brayden Landry is one of the best players, full stop, in his state class. Catcher and Hawaii commit Keagan Soliza provides speed and quality defensively. Sophomores Madden Pike and Greg Johnson will be under the microscope with the potential to take on bigger roles in their second seasons. A first year head coach will look to maintain Puyallup's standard as a baseball powerhouse, while Sumner looks to stay on the rise this spring.

4/21 - Richland vs. Kamiakin

This is the other big one. Kamiakin and Richland are ranked second and fourth in our Preseason Power 25, respectively. The Bombers finished 18-7 last spring and still have championship-experienced players from their 2024 4A title. RHP/1B and Grand Canyon commit Michael Revell is one of the best two-way talents in Washington and is a clear POTY contender. Richland also welcomes transfer Deegan Quesenberry to the rotation, a Washington commit and Future Games standout. Whitworth commit and senior catcher Hayden Galloway is always involved offensively and will be another key piece.

Kamiakin has a big three of D-1 commits. Senior RHP and Gonzaga commit Zach Vega trended up last year, winning Mid-Columbia Pitcher of the Year. Junior RHP/INF Tanner Davis broke out in an even bigger way across multiple looks, securing a commitment to the University of Washington. Senior and Washington State commit Taron Carlson rounds out the big three and carries great two-way ability. Two of the Tri Cities' best will go at it in a game with likely playoff implications.

4/27 - Union vs. Kelso

If you enjoy high level pitching, this will be the matchup for you. Union is headlined by the top-ranked player in Washington's 2027 class, RHP Rylan Howe. The Oregon commit was exceptional across multiple looks in 2025, with a low 90's heater from an imposing 6'5 frame. Howe had just over a 1 ERA last high school season and should see bigger bulk this spring. Senior RHP and Portland commit Jacob Chandler is a strong arm in his own right. Freshman INF Caden Fields is a potential follow for years to come as well.

Meanwhile, Kelso features the second ranked player in Washington's senior class in Bryce Collins. The Ole Miss commit was great at the 2024 Future Games and in a playoff look last year, with a low 90's fastball from a high slot missing bats with ease. Junior RHP Adam Swanson will be another key for Kelso, impressing at PNW Preseason All-State each of the last two seasons.

4/28 - Gonzaga Prep vs. Mount Spokane

The best two sides in the greater Spokane area always makes for a great set of rivalry games, and this year should be no different. Gonzaga Prep is led by senior OF Anthony Karis, the third ranked prospect in Washington's 2026 class and a dynamic power bat. Senior LHP/1B Jackson Mott impressed at last fall's West Coast Games, while senior Dylan Croall is another intriguing player.

Mt. Spokane looks to build on an 18-7 finish last season. OF Braeden Parker exploded on to the scene last year, earning a commitment to LMU by the end of 2025. Senior Connor Moffitt has power from the left side and some velocity on the mound, while senior Kyle Rayment is an athletic two-way player with exciting tools. Both sides should expect to make the playoffs by season's end, creating a great end of season set of matchups.

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