JACKSON, Miss. - With the 2026 Belhaven Baseball season set to begin this week, the Blazers return to the diamond looking to build on one of the most historic campaigns in program history after advancing to the NCAA Super Regional round a year ago.
 
SEASON OUTLOOK

The 2026 season marks year one under head coach Patrick Robey, as Belhaven returns over a dozen players from last year's 34-15 squad that captured the program's first-ever CCS Championship and made a deep postseason run.

The Blazers bring back a strong core from an offense that ranked among the conference leaders in batting average, runs scored, and extra-base hits.

In the infield, senior Blake McCarthy, returns after starting 38 games in 2025 and batting .336 with 42 hits and a team-best 52 RBI. Sophomore Austin Canale also returns after a strong freshman campaign that saw him hit .288 across 45 starts. Owen Abney, the 2024 CCS Player of the Year, also returns for his senior season.

The outfield will once again be a strength. Senior JD Weed, who led the team with 21 extra base hits and added 60 hits in 2025, anchors the unit. Junior Nick Thornton, who drove in 37 RBI and recorded 52 hits, also returns.

Behind the plate, Belhaven returns senior Parker Ryan, who started 32 games behind the dish and threw out six runners last season.

On the mound, the Blazers return senior Colton Sylvester, who made 12 starts last season and posted a 4.45 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 62.2 innings. Sophomore Gunner Staten, who earned a 7-1 record in his first collegiate season, also returns after appearing in 18 games.

After finishing among the national leaders in wins and earning an ABCA Top 25 preseason ranking at No. 22, expectations remain high in Jackson.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Jake McCann, IF, Freshman
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.

McCann anticipates to be a potential every-day starter at shortstop for the Blazers as a freshman. He was a big part in claiming University High's first-ever state championship last season, where he was named the game's most outstanding player. He was a two-time All-State player in 2024 & 2025.

Kaleb Smith RHP, Sophomore
Hometown: Shreveport, La.
Previous School: South Arkansas

Smith is one of the few newcomer junior college transfers on this year's team, where he went 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA last season for South Arkansas Community College. He struck out seven across five innings last season for the Stars.

Logan McNamara, RHP, Freshman
Hometown: Mandeville, La.

McNamara pitched 30 innings for Mandeville High School in his senior season last year. He struck out 37 while allowing only three earned runs. Opponents batted just .198 against him in the last two seasons.

PRESEASON RANKINGS

Belhaven enters the 2026 season ranked No. 22 in the ABCA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Blazers were also selected second in the CCS Preseason Poll following a vote of the league's head coaches.

CCS Preseason Poll
    1.    Maryville College - 34 points (4)
    2.    Belhaven University - 31 points (2)
    3.    LaGrange College - 26 points (1)
    4.    Piedmont University - 20 points
    5.    Huntingdon College - 19 points
    6.    Covenant College - 11 points
    7.    Asbury University - 6 points

ON THE NATIONAL STAGE

Key dates on the Blazer schedule includes:
    •    Feb. 20-21 - vs. No. 25 East Texas Baptist - Pearl, Miss.
    •    Mar. 13 - vs. No. 13 SUNY Cortland - Mount Berry, GA.
    •    Mar. 20-21 - vs. Maryville - Pearl, Miss.

LOOK AHEAD

Belhaven opens the 2026 season tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 17, hosting MUW in a standalone contest at 6:00 PM at Trustmark Park. You can catch all the action here.

Conference play begins on March 20th when the Blazers host the defending CCS runner-ups Maryville. Trustmark Park will be home to the CCS Tournament, which begin on Wednesday, April 29th.

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