KHSAA baseball season is underway. Meet top Louisville-area high school teams and players
Three years since the Trinity High School baseball program won its first state championship, the Shamrocks have a loaded roster that’s expected by many to bring home a second gold trophy.
The Shamrocks are ranked No. 1 in Kentucky and No. 26 nationally by Prep Baseball Report.
“Our strengths are experience, depth and really good team speed,” coach Rick Arnold said.
Trinity finished 33-7 last year after falling to St. Xavier 3-1 in the Seventh Region Tournament semifinal. The Shamrocks are off to a 9-1 start this season.
Four seniors have committed to NCAA Division I schools — Jake Schweitzer and Kyle Campbell to Louisville, Evan Boeckmann to Wright State and Dane Morrow to Tennessee. Seniors Baxter Tedesco and Trevor Watkins are headed to Transylvania, and junior Caleb Ricks has committed to U of L.
Schweitzer (4-1, 2.77 ERA) and Campbell (4-1, 4.15 ERA) will be top pitchers after posting solid numbers last season. Campbell also led the Shamrocks in batting average (.370), runs (43) and stolen bases (13), and Morrow led the squad in RBIs (29) and triples (seven).
Here’s a breakdown of the other Top 25 teams from the Louisville area:
No. 6 Manual (29-7 last season)
The Crimsons have the talent to win their first regional title since 1962 behind a trio of talented pitchers.
Senior Chase Chamberlain (Bellarmine commit) was 7-3 with a state-best 0.55 ERA last season, striking out 69 batters in 51 innings of work. Senior Bennett Holdener (5-1, 0.90 ERA) and junior Nicholas Ballard (2-0, 2.25 ERA) also return on the mound.
“This is clearly our strength as a team, and our challenge is going to be supporting the pitchers with runs on the board,” coach Ryan Blackwell said.
Holdener (Wabash Valley Community College) won Seventh Region Player of the Year honors in 2023 after batting .430 with 10 doubles and 18 RBIs.
No. 10 Eastern (28-13)
The Eagles look to ride the momentum of winning their first Seventh Region title since 1997.
“Our offense has the potential to be very good, and pitching is deep,” coach T.J. Graves said. “They’re motivated to go back to the state tournament.”
A trio of seniors has signed to play in college — pitchers Landon Waugh (Morehead State) and Jaylen Bowie and utility player Alex Smith (Alice Lloyd).
Junior third baseman Carson Shee (U of L commit) led the Eagles in RBIs (34) and doubles (15) last year.
No. 11 Ballard (20-12-1)
The Bruins have two seniors who have committed to Georgetown College — pitcher/infielder Landon Olgine and pitcher/outfielder Jaylen Roberts.
The junior class is loaded with talent, led by pitcher/first baseman Kaine Samuels, pitcher/shortstop Kevin Moore, pitcher/right fielder Lucas Niemeyer, pitcher/left fielder Mason Newland and center fielder Brendan McKinley.
Samuels led the team in batting average (.368), RBIs (27) and doubles (nine) last season and also starred on the mound (7-1, 2.06 ERA). Moore was 4-2 with a 1.70 ERA and struck out 56 in 49 1/3 innings.
No. 22 Pleasure Ridge Park (23-9)
The Panthers are looking to make a run toward their first regional title since 2019.
Junior outfielder Brayden Bruner returns after leading PRP in batting average (.487), home runs (three) and RBIs (31) last year. Junior utility player Logan Strong (.397, 20 RBIs) and senior catcher Hank Burns (.329, 17 RBIs, Asbury) are other key players.
Senior Tanor Fentress (3-0, 2.66 ERA) and junior Grayson Roll (3-1, 3.60 ERA) are the top returning pitchers.
No. 25 Collins (20-15)
The Titans (20-15) have a more experienced team this season, led by senior center fielder Jordan Harris (Georgetown College, team-high 24 RBIs) and senior pitcher Daly Penick (John Logan).
Juniors Brady Morris, Alston Whitworth and Brady Williams are other leaders.
“We have more depth on the mound than in recent years,” coach Mike Hammond said.
Here’s a look at other Louisville-area teams. (Note: Several schools did not respond to requests for information.)
Sixth Region
Bullitt Central (12-20) returns several key players from a squad that reached the regional semifinals last season, including senior catcher Shane Carnes (Schoolcraft College), junior shortstop Jordan Powell (Eastern Kentucky) and junior second baseman Taylor Coffman (Midway). Carnes hit a team-best five home runs last year. Coach Chris Ryan said developing the pitching staff will be key.
Bullitt East (22-14-1) will look to repeat as Sixth Region champion. Senior pitcher Kendall Henson (Kentucky State commit) returns after going 9-0 with a 1.77 ERA last season. Other leaders include senior infielder Bryce Elder (Indiana University Southeast), senior pitcher/first baseman Tylan Hayden (Campbellsville) and junior catcher/first baseman Luke Renfrow (team-high 37 RBIs, Eastern Kentucky). “If our team develops like it did last season, there is no reason we shouldn’t be in a position to contend for another district and region title,” said veteran coach Jeff Bowles, adding his team has less speed but more power than it did last year.
Butler (11-21) will look to improve behind senior shortstop/pitcher Ayden Clemons (Georgetown College), junior pitcher/first baseman Carter Reitz, junior pitcher/third baseman Tristan Cockerill and sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kody Coomer. Clemons led the team in hits (21) and joined Cockerill as co-leaders in RBIs (13) and doubles (six) last season.
DeSales (28-10) will look to return to the top of the region after winning titles in 2021 and 2022. Senior catcher Brody Mangis (Georgetown College, team-high 41 RBIs), junior pitcher/first baseman Cole Thompson and junior pitcher/first baseman Joseph Nevitt lead the way. Thompson and Nevitt are among 14 juniors on the roster.
Doss (1-13) has a new coach in Zach Beckmann, who is in his second stint at the school. Seniors Eli Senior and Kyle Mayfield (team-high 18 RBIs) are the leaders.
Fairdale (8-17-1) expects to improve behind senior third baseman Hunter Hicks (Oakland City), senior pitcher Ayden Fields and sophomore first baseman Bradley Myers (.412, 20 RBIs). Shortstop Dalton Hicks, catcher Riley Prisk and outfielder Grant Wilkerson are other senior leaders.
Fern Creek (15-17) was the regional runner-up in 2021 and 2023 and will look to get over the hump this year behind a trio of seniors — middle infielder Jackson Zurkuhlen, pitcher/infielder Colin Knoop (5-2, 2.25 ERA) and utility player Lucas Bolin. Coach Jared Stout said injuries have plagued the Tigers so far this season. “The goal is to have everyone back and healthy by the first week of May,” he said.
Holy Cross (11-18) has a new coach in Corey Roy, who says pitching and defense are the Cougars’ strengths. Senior leaders include Jacob Hand, Logan McClellan, Colin Williams and Caleb Phillips. Hand and Williams led the team with 25 RBIs apiece last year. Avery Roy and Hunter Drake are top juniors.
North Bullitt (20-15) has a trio of senior pitchers who have committed to colleges — Baron Williams (4-3, 4.20 ERA) to Schoolcraft and Brady Wooldridge (5-5, 3.78 ERA) and Tallen Seward (2-0, 4.88 ERA) to Kentucky State. Center fielder Dylan Hornback (team-high 30 RBIs) and shortstop Rowen Burton (team-high 10 doubles and 27 stolen bases) are talented sophomores.
Southern (19-11) has two seniors who have committed to Schoolcraft — pitcher/outfielder Kevin Cruz and pitcher/catcher Kevin Cruz. Senior pitcher Tyler Ransdell and junior shortstop Richard Hernandez are other leaders for a squad that reached the regional semifinals last year.
Valley (14-6) has a new coach in Tom Smith, who will lean on senior Cameron Scheidel and sophomore Tyler Priddy.
Western (6-13) will look to improve behind junior pitcher/infielder Kodjo Degboe and sophomore catcher Darrion Stringer.
Whitefield Academy (4-14) has a leader in sophomore Andrew Beickman.
Seventh Region
Brown (7-8) looks to improve behind junior John O’Rourke and freshmen Oscar Wright and Chase Taylor-Sharpe.
Central (4-8) has a new coach in Deion Johnson, who will lean on junior shortstop Leroy Holden, junior second baseman Ayris Anderson and sophomore pitcher Jamari Farris.
Christian Academy (8-21) returns a pair of seniors who have committed to colleges – catcher Bradey Moad (Olney Central) and pitcher/infielder Payton Helmerich (Spalding). Senior first baseman Nathan King (team-high three home runs), junior pitcher/third baseman Cameron Combs and junior pitcher/center fielder Trey Tipton are other key players.
Francis Parker (3-19) will look to improve behind senior Jack Christensen, who has committed to play football at Hanover.
Highlands Latin (18-12) returns nine starters from last year’s team that reached the regional tournament. Senior first baseman/pitcher Jed Hamilton led the state in triples (11) last season. Senior pitcher/center fielder Truman Neuner (team-high 27 RBIs) and sophomore utility player Luke Hamilton are the other leaders.
Kentucky Country Day (14-14) looks for senior Tyce Powers, a transfer from Trinity, to anchor the pitching staff. Senior center fielder E.T. Harris, junior catcher Colin Moriarty and junior pitcher Brady Butler are other key players.
Male (10-17) will look to improve behind senior pitcher/outfielder Cayden Perry (Asbury, team-high 17 RBIs), senior pitcher/infielder Landon Ingram (Charleston) and junior pitcher/first baseman Evan LeGrand.
Portland Christian (10-11) has a new coach in Lee Sexton, who has four eighth-graders who will start. Junior pitcher/third baseman Parker Price is the leader.
St. Xavier (31-9) has reached 12 straight regional finals, winning seven, but has a young squad with just two returning starters. Coach Andy Porta said five sophomores could start. Senior leaders are catcher Ryan Comella (Charleston), pitcher Ian Milliner (Lincoln Memorial, 4-1, 2.50 ERA) and infielder Luke Wright (Maryville). Outfielder Kyle Krupp (.283, 17 stolen bases) and pitcher Kaden Ford (4-2, 3.18 ERA) are top juniors. St. X suffered a big blow when senior pitcher and U of L commit Jake Gregor (6-3, 1.30 ERA) transferred to IMG Academy in Florida.
Seneca (10-9-1) returns the majority of its starters from last season and is looking to reach the regional tournament behind junior shortstop/center fielder Cayden Leffler and junior pitcher/catcher/outfielder Liant Escobar Perez. Leffler led the team in RBIs (14) and stolen bases (20) last year.
Shawnee (2-14) has a new coach in Tim Ladd, who will lean on sophomore pitcher/shortstop Jeremiah Forrest and sophomore catcher Correon Spinks. The Golden Eagles are off to a 5-0 start this season and are averaging 13.2 runs per game.
Waggener (11-8) has a new coach in Collen Ruwe and a pair of leaders in senior pitcher/catcher/second baseman Warren Payne (team-high 24 RBIs) and junior pitcher/catcher/shortstop Logan Janiszewski.
Eighth Region
North Oldham (22-12) has just one senior in the program — pitcher/infielder Wyatt Colvin (Hanover). Juniors Elliott Roberts (Mount St. Mary’s), Ryan Sanders (3-2, 4.26 ERA) and Carson White are the other leaders.
Oldham County (14-14) has a solid senior class led by four players who have committed to colleges — Levi Wade (Lindsey Wilson), Coen Ball (Cedarville), Jaxon Perkins (Georgetown) and Logan Simpson (Georgetown). Ball was 6-2 with a 2.24 ERA last year, striking out 55 batters in 43 2/3 innings.
Shelby County (32-10) made a surprising run all the way to the state final last year before falling 2-1 to Whitley County. Graduation put a dent on the roster, but coach Steve Kingsolver still has several solid pieces. Senior pitcher/outfielder Jack Wills (7-2, 2.65 ERA) and junior pitcher/catcher Foster Whisman (6-0, 2.83) are the leaders. Senior catcher/infielder Jaxson Carter and junior pitcher/infielder Kaleb Oskins also return.
South Oldham (19-12-1) should contend for the regional title behind two of the state’s top senior pitchers in Davis Gunn (5-2, 2.73 ERA, Marshall commit) and Kian Vorster (4-1, 1.57 ERA, U of L commit). Sophomore shortstop Luke Belardo also has committed to U of L.
Spencer County (22-9) has a young squad led by junior outfielder Carter Walters (Marshall). He hit .427 and led the team in RBIs (28) and stolen bases (22) last season.
Statewide Top 25
From Prep Baseball Report (March 25)
1. Trinity, 2. Boyd County, 3. McCracken County, 4. Taylor County, 5. Ryle, 6. Manual, 7. Lexington Catholic, 8. Frederick Douglass, 9. Pikeville, 10. Eastern, 11. Ballard, 12. South Warren, 13. Sayre, 14. Somerset, 15. Apollo, 16. Corbin, 17. Great Crossing, 18. George Rogers Clark, 19. Rowan County, 20. Lyon County, 21. Muhlenberg County, 22. Pleasure Ridge Park, 23. West Jessamine, 24. Scott County, 25. Collins
Sweet 16 final: Lyon County, sparked by Travis Perry, holds off Harlan County to win title
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA baseball rankings 2024: Louisville high school team, player info
