The Black Bears look to improve on last season\u2019s six-win total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.13thregionmedianetwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_8888-1-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With the 13th Region High School sports season now over after Corbin was eliminated during the KHSAA Baseball State Tournament, it\u2019s the time of the year to have some fun, and use the crystal ball to see who will be Th e team to beat in 2026.
They\u2019re a ton of talented players graduated along with numerous stellar players returning as well, including some newcomers from the middle school level.
With that said, let\u2019s not waste any more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2026 Early outlook for Baseball
1. Whitley County (27-7)
After going wire to wire this past season as the region\u2019s top ranked team, the Colonels saw their season come to an end against Corbin in the region title game for the second straight season.
Next spring, I expect Whitley County to once again be the team to beat due to who is returning, and the addition of one of the top players in the region.
The Colonels already possess one of the best, if not the best, pitching staffs in the region and state, and now it has gotten even stronger with the addition of former Barbourville Tiger Luke Hillard, who has enrolled at Whitley County.
Hillard, who will be a junior, led the Tigers with a .521 batting average, three home runs, 37 hits, 34 RBI, and 30 runs scored while going 4-3 with a 3.13 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched.
He joins a staff that possesses junior Christian Wilson (8-1, 0.98 ERA, 39 Ks), senior EJ Allen (6-2, 2 saves, 1.22 ERA, 38 Ks), freshman Kip Allen (3-4, 1 save, 3.09 ERA, 43 Ks, Trey Walton (2-0, 1 save, 1.42 ERA, 26 Ks), Eli Powers (4-0, 1.14 ERA, 25 Ks), Clint Partin (3-0, 0.53 ERA, 11 Ks), and Caleb Cureton (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 Ks).
Hitting wise, the Colonels will be strong as well.
Dee Parker will return for his senior campaign along with his team-best .396 batting average, and 23 stolen bases. EJ Allen batted .384 with three home runs, 38 hits, 22 RBI, 20 stolen bases and 38 runs scored. Henry Bowling, Ty Petrey, Spencer Bargo, Caden Mountjoy, Landon Rose and Kaden Powers will also return, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Corbin (20-18)
The Redhounds lose a lot of talent, but the cupboard is far from bare for coach Cody Philpot.
Granted graduating the likes of Mr. Baseball Kade Elam, Noah Cima, Cruz Cima, Lucas Tarvin, Will Freeman, Cooper McCauley, and JT Gentry is tough for any program to overcome.
Cam Estep returns to the mix along with his .378 batting average, 37 hits, 37 runs scored and 31 stolen bases along with Trey Person (35 hits, 23 RBI, 27 runs scored), Levi Brock (11 runs, 11 hits, seven RBI), Clay Botner (32 hits, 22 RBI, 20 runs scored), Jaden Broughton (29 hits, 23 RBI, 21 runs scored), Ethan Abner (12 hits, six RBI, three runs scored), Dallas Merida (five hits, 22 runs, two RBI), and Kaiden Freeman (two hits, three RBI, one run scored).
Hunter Todd will return on the mound, possessing a 2-4 mark this past season along with Botner (0.98 ERA), Abner (3-3), and Broughton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Clay County (15-11)
The loss of Ethan Jackson will hurt, but look for Jason Smith\u2019s Tigers to be in the thick of things next spring.
Soon to be senior Talan Marcum (.342, 5 home runs, 35 hits, 31 RBI, 40 runs scored; 5-2, 1.91 ERA, 23 Ks) returns along with Jonathan Smith (2-3, 3.13 ERA), Aidan Lovett (21 hits, 12 RBI, 24 runs scored), Brody Hooker (19 hits, 20 RBI, eight runs scored), Aidan Roberts (14 hits, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored), Aiden Wagers (12 hits, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored), Connor Gilbert (13 hits, four RBI, 21 runs scored), and Mason Roark (nine hits, eight RBI, 13 runs scored).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Bell County (15-13)
The Bobcats will be stacked with talent, returning three of its four top hitters along with all of their pitching staff from last season.
Leading hitter Cooper Brock (.432, one home run, 35 hits, 20 RBI, 31 runs scored) returns along with Joseph Brigman (.408, two home runs, 29 hits, 25 RBI, 18 runs scored), Blake Burnett (.382, 29 hits, eight RBI, 27 runs scored), Brayden Carroll (.254), Holden Clark (.246), Ty Mays, Hunter Fuson, Ayden Smith, and Alex Creech.
Burnett posted a 5-3 mark on the mound last season while garnering a 0.77 ERA. Bringmon was 4-1 with one save and a 0.64 ERA, Brock recorded a win while Carroll was 2-2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. South Laurel (21-7)
The Cardinals will lose eight seniors from this season\u2019s group but I still like the direction coach Trey Smith is taking this squad.
They might take some lumps here and there early on, but I expect South Laurel to make another run at advancing to the 13th Region Tournament.
Waylon Hensley (.400, 36 hits, 24 RBI, 17 runs scored, Reece Noble (.315), Bryson Turner, Jamison West, and Kamdin Dewees all return to the mix.
Hensley will be relied on as the main pitcher after going 5-3 with a 1.91 ERA last season along with Jacob Culler (1-1, 4.40 ERA, and Tyler Curry (2-0, 3.07 ERA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best of the Rest
6. Jackson County (22-9)
The Generals could easily be a top three team again with the return of Elijah Thomas and Ashton Clemens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. North Laurel (17-13)
The Jaguars are basically bringing everyone back and could easily be a top three to four team as well. Coach Darren McWhorter\u2019s squad has a lot of talent returning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Harlan (17-13)
The Green Dragons are another team that returns a lot of talent. Harlan could surprise next spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Knox Central (11-12)
The Panthers will continue to improve and make another postseason run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n