Tigers, Knights, Devils will be area’s top teams

The baseball season kicks off next week, and all area teams have reason for optimism. 

Hagerstown graduated seven players from last year’s team, but it is loaded with young talent to replace them. Northeastern graduated two outstanding pitchers, but it still has a strong team led by five seniors and a deep pitching staff. Lincoln and Seton Catholic both return a solid core of veteran players, while Centerville and Richmond both return most of their rosters from last year. 

Centerville

Head coach: Corey Van Skyock (2025 record 5-13)

The Bulldogs only won five games last year, but they closed their season strong. The Bulldogs landed an upset win over Northeastern in the sectional, then took eventual sectional champion Shenandoah to extra innings before losing 9-8 in 2025. Two starters graduated and another player transferred, but the balance of the sectional roster returns. Landen Schlotterbeck is the top returning hitter (.377 batting average) and logged the most innings last season as a pitcher among the returnees. Centerville, which is playing in the Tri-Eastern Conference for the final time this season, will open play with three home games. It will host Monroe Central on Monday, April 6, Shenandoah on Thursday, April 9, and Rushville on Friday, April 10.

Hagerstown

Head coach: Jay Hale (2025 record 15-10)

The Tigers spent most of the season in state rankings last season while playing a difficult schedule, including winning the Tri-Eastern Conference with a perfect 8-0 league record. The Tigers graduated seven seniors, including ace pitcher Kaagen Kendall. In most programs, losing that many players in one year would make the next year difficult, but the Tigers are loaded with young talent to fill the void. Braydon Sanders will be the lone senior on the team. Fletcher Callahan, Jaxon Hale, Kaden Hall, Heath Johnson, Ty Lieberman, Zack Logston, Jack Rector, Jaykob Troutwine and Graham Vinson all return with varsity experience. 

Lincoln

Head coach: Jeff Gwin (2025 record 10-12)

The Eagles graduated nine players and another player transferred, but they return enough talent to field another competitive team. The Eagles under coach Gwin, who is in his third season, have shown improvement in each of his first two seasons. Four-year starters Dustin Lunsford and Braxton Dick lead the returnees both offensively and defensively, and Ben Bates is expected to have a breakout season on the mound. The Eagles will open play at home. They will host Taylor High School on Friday, April 3, and then host Oldenburg Academy on Saturday, April 4. 

Northeastern

Head coach: Dave Baker (2025 record 16-7)

The Knights spent most of the 2025 season in the state rankings and won an area-best 16 games before being upset by Centerville in the sectional. The Knights graduated four-year starters and top pitchers Kaiden and Logan White and slugger Blake Waters, but they will return 10 players from last season, including five seniors. Coach Baker expects senior leadership from Riley Isaacs, Gavin Johnson, Kaleb Moore, Logan Seal and Aiden Shaffer. Sophomores Kaleb Kress and Jacob Leitner are the top returning hitters, and the Knights enjoy a unique advantage in that nearly every roster player can pitch. The Knights, who are playing in the Tri-Eastern Conference for their final year, will open play with a trip to play New Haven on Tuesday, March 31, and open their home schedule on Monday, April 6, when they host Shenandoah. 

Richmond

Head coach: Mike Medley (2025 record 11-10)

The Red Devils compiled a winning season last year and are likely to have an even better record this season. The Red Devils graduated pitcher Aiden McWhinney but return the balance of the team, including 10 players who appeared in at least 14 games last season. Weston Jones, Zander Juday, Wyatt Kier and Malachi Moore are expected to lead in statistics. The Red Devils will be challenged quickly with a trio of road games to open the season. Richmond travels to Connersville on Wednesday, April 1; to Hagerstown on Thursday, April 2; and on Friday, April 3, they travel to Selma to play against perennial 2A power Wapahani. 

Seton Catholic

Head coach: Jordan Parker (2025 record 7-13) 

The Cardinals compiled a 7-13 record last season, their best record since the 2020-21 season. With 10 returning players, the Cardinals look for continued improvement. Offensive player of year Colin Murray and defensive player of the year Tyson Tremain are among the key returnees; Ethan Nisewonder, who led the team with a .348 batting average, and Taeon Tate, who compiled a .339 batting average, scored 20 runs and drove in 23 runs, also return. Tremain, who compiled a 4-2 record with an ERA of 3.13 last season, is expected to anchor the pitching staff. The Cardinals are scheduled to host Randolph Southern on Wednesday, April 1, to open their season.