GAMES
RANKINGS
HOLD THAT TIGER: No. 24 Klein Collins has been a baseball brand for decades
24. Klein Collins Tigers (6A)
Klein Collins went 18-11-1 overall in 2025 and posted a 10-6 mark in District 15-6A play to earn a spot in the playoffs. The Tigers reached the Area Round before bowing out. Chris Griffin enters 2026 with 219 career coaching victories.
Wharton Junior College-commit Brice Romero will lead the way at shortstop, while first-team, all-district P/3B Issac Gutierrez will be a key piece as well. Other players to watch include Tice Hudson (OF/P), Bryson Session (P/IF), Noah Deason (C/OF), Noah Melendez (P/1B), Gio Compean (IF) and Andrew Guillory (P/OF).
The Montgomery Bears
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