Wayne, Holmes County Baseball Teams Eye League Titles, Postseason Runs in 2026

Several Wayne and Holmes County baseball programs enter the 2026 spring season carrying genuine title ambitions, led by a Hiland squad still wearing three consecutive state championships and armed with senior Michael Miller as one of its veteran anchors. The Hawks look to reload with a mix of experienced players and new faces, making them a program every league opponent will be measuring itself against come postseason time.

At Waynedale, the Golden Bears are built around a returning core that gives coach Daugherty confidence across every phase of the game. Seniors Brayden Steiner (3B/P), Jordan Miller (SS/P) and Collin McGlothlin (2B) anchor the infield, while juniors Cam Miller (LF/P), Logan Troyer (P/1B) and Hudson Barkman (CF) round out a group that has played varsity baseball together before.

"I expect this team to be strong defensively, with much of the infield and outfield consisting of returning varsity players," Daugherty said. "I also expect to get production from all parts of our batting order."

Waynedale also welcomes five junior newcomers expected to step into immediate roles: Brock Reifsnyder at catcher, Kamron Mast in the outfield, Sam Higgins at first or third base, pitcher Kamden Alberson, and Cordell Troyer handling catcher and second base duties. The infusion of new talent alongside the returning core positions the Golden Bears as a legitimate contender in what shapes up as a competitive league race.

Central Christian enters the season with perhaps the deepest returning group in the area. The Comets bring back seniors Luke Schrier (C/P), Bryan Martin (P/OF/INF/C), Caleb Hagerman (OF) and Lyle Endsley (INF/P), supported by a junior class that includes Grayden Miller, Preston Clark, Kye Kooker and Jacob Neuenschwander. Sophomores Nathan Oaks and Nathan Petite add further depth, and freshmen Zavyer Kooker, Aaron Weaver and Luke Nofziger are expected to contribute as well.

"It will be nice returning a big part of last year's team to the lineup," Kooker said. "This team should have the pieces in place to compete well if we can get healthy and stay healthy. We return a great core of guys that have been with the program for three to four years, which is exciting."

That caveat about health is not a minor one. Health could be an issue early in the season for area programs, and Central Christian's ability to stay whole through April and into tournament time may well determine how far the Comets can go.

For younger players in the region hoping to build toward a varsity roster someday, Wooster Summer Baseball is ramping up for the 2026 season as well. The organization, based at 1200 Akron Rd. near the intersection of State Route 585 and Long Road in Wooster, runs spring programming for players 6U through 14U through the Wayne-Holmes League, including a community team option for Wooster seventh and eighth graders. Registration is open at woosteryouthbaseball.com, with early-bird discounts available in January and High School Fall Baseball registration closing July 15.