GAMES
RANKINGS
THE STABLE: No. 17 Friendswood has studs in Collins, Hinson
17. Friendswood Mustangs (5A)
Cory Benavides enters his eighth season (166-47) of leading Friendswood. The Mustangs went 18-9-1 a year ago and reached the Bi-District Round of the playoffs. Benavides has eight starters returning in 2026 including Texas Tech-commit Landon Collins and Baylor-commit Dawson Hinson.
Other key returners include Caiden Wells (Blinn-commit), Landon McGuire (Amarillo College-commit), Jack Herncall (UT Dallas-commit), Patrick Byrd (Bosier Parish-commit) and Roman Hill (Lesley University-commit). Other players to watch include Noah Nelson, Ryan Chism, Landon Finklea, Jaxon Black, Dylan Buck, Caden Bollman, Peyton Resnick and Charlie Moore.
Keys to success for Benavides’ team include having consistent hard work, respecting the game and being mentally tough ball players.
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).