BEAR DOWN: No. 25 Montgomery riding hot-hitting Clewett
25. Montgomery Bears (5A)
After missing the playoffs in 2024, the Montgomery Bears not only made the postseason in 2025 but advanced to the Area Round and pushed the series to a decisive Game 3. The Bears finished 22-12-2 overall and return 10 starters from that team for fifth-year coach Michael Starkey.
Baylor-commit Wyatt Clewett, a two-time Utility Player of the Year, returns to the lineup after hitting .365 a year ago with 27 RBIs. Chase Hiatt (Rose State-commit) is back after hitting .468 with 41 runs scored by the three-time all-district outfielder. Second-team, all-district ace Brayden Hernandez will lead the Bears on the bump after posting a 6-1 record with a 2.00 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 2025.
Cason Irwin, a second-team, all-district pick, will complement him on the mound after going 5-2 with a 1.80 ERA with 34 strikeouts. Other players to watch include Drake Cox (honorable mention, all-district), Hudson Arthur (Concordia-commit), Brayden Nichols, Corben Stanley, Landon Lutz and Lucas Hosler