Lakeland Christian went into the season as a favorite to return to the state tournament, and the Vikings didn’t disappoint. Led by co-player of the year Gavin Byrd, LCS won district and region titles before losing in the state semifinals. The Vikings weren’t the only to team. Winter Haven had a big turnaround. Although the Blue Devils lost to George Jenkins, they qualified for the playoffs and reached the regional finals where they lost to Venice. George Jenkins lost to Venice in the regional semifinls. McKeel had a big turnaround in season. The Wildcats began 4-9 then went 11-3 the rest of the season, winning 11 of 12 games including the district championship game before losing back-to-back games to North Broward in the regional semifinals.
Co-Players of the Year
Jameson McGuire
Santa Fe Catholic, Senior
Pitcher/Outfield
McGuire was the county’s top pitcher and also one of the most dangerous hitters. On the mound he went with a 1.00 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 63 innings. He had pinpoint control as he walked just eight batters. In 10 starts, he had nine complete games. At the plate, McGuire batted .447 with eight doubles, three triples, three home runs, 20 RBIs, 26 runs and four stolen bases.
Gavin Byrd
Lakeland Christian, Senior
Shortstop
Byrd, who has signed with Florida State, was a dangerous hitter. With LCS playing the toughest schedule in the county, he batted .429 with a .565 on-base percentage and a 1.422 OPS. Of his 36 hits, 21 went for extra bases as he had 12 doubles, three triples and six home runs. He also had 38 RBIs, 28 runs scored and was 21-for-21 on stolen bases. He also was solid defensively.
Coach of the Year
David Schafer
Winter Haven
Schafer led the Blue Devils to the biggest turnarounds. After going 12-15 last year, Winter Haven improved to 22-9, finished district runner-up then advanced to the region finals before losing to eventual 7A state runner-up Venice.
First Team
Anthony Iatarola
George Jenkins, Junior
Pitcher/Outfield
6-3, 67 K, 50 IP, .158 BAA.
.347 BA, 1 HR 15 RBIs
Jody Wilson
Winter Haven, Senior
Pitcher/Infielder
1.37 ERA, 45 K, 46 IP
.337 BA, 7 XBH, 17 RBIs, 21 R
Kamauri Wilson
George Jenkins, Sophomore
Outfield
.400 BA, 1 HR, 18 RBIs, 13 SB
Deric Morris
Winter Haven, Freshman
Outfield
.360, 3 2B, 15 RBIs, 13 R
Brayden Abdon
George Jenkins, Senior
PItcher/First Base
3-0, 29 K, 21 1/3 IP
.341 BA, 2 HR, 15 RBIs, 21 SB
Parker Kant
Lakeland Christian, Junior
First Base
.391 BA, 32 RBIs, 28 R, .458 OBP, .964 OPS
Nathan Diaz
Lakeland Christian, Senior
Second Base/Pitcher
.381 BA, 20 RBIs, 28 R, 13 SB, .518 OBP, .971 OPS
Owen Harrell
Fort Meade, Senior
Infielder
.492 AVG, 18 RBIs, 9 SB
Jorge Cordova
McKeel, Junior
Third Base
.342, 5 HR, 29 RBIs
6-6, 3.20 ERA, 65 K, 54 IP
Brock Spurgeon
McKeel, Senior
Catcher
.341, 9 2B, 2 HR, 24 RBIs
Drew Fenley
Bartow, Senior
Designated Hitter
.377, 3 HR, 13 RBIs, 17 SB, 22 R, .970 Fielding %
Wyatt Thomas
McKeel, Senior
Utility
.391, 4 HR, 20 RBIs
Second Team
Christopher Glover
George Jenkins, Junior
Pitcher
Brody Ray
Lakeland Christian, Sophomore
Pitcher
Cooper Carbonara
Lakeland, Junior
Pitcher
Kole Walker
Lakeland Christian, Freshman
Pitcher
Josh Horbet
Winter Haven, Senior
Pitcher
Josh Jenkins
Winter Haven, Sophomore
Second Base/Pitcher
Deniel Gonzalez
George Jenkins, Sophomore
Catcher
Carson Dicks
Santa Fe Catholic, Junior
First Base
Logan Gill
McKeel, Sophomore
Second Base
Jhonny Vasquez
Davenport, Junior
Shortstop
Bradley Roberts
Frostproof, Sophomore
Shortstop
Carter Rouse
McKeel, Senior
Outfield
Carter Brattlie
Auburndale, Senior
Utility
Kelan Elliott
Bartow, Senior
Utility
Honorable Mention
Auburndale: Colton Wagner, Colton Shelton.
Bartow: P Laz Martinez, P Landon Davis, C Mason Rowe, SS Gianni Aviles, UT Landon Thompson, OF Kendric Stacey, OF Trill Venz.
Davenport: OF Brylandd Canode, IF/P Cameron Haigh.
Discovery: P/SS Zion Philpott, C Noah Frabotta, J Quintero, 3B Evan DeVore, OF Maddox Rosado.
Fort Meade: IF Caleb Hermelbracht, IF Colten Zahara, P Rider Cochrane.
Frostproof: C Colton Paulk, OF Marcus Johnson, OF Carson Joyner, P Eddy Gulardo, P Astor Feagle, P Bentley Appleton, UT Ricky Blackburn.
George Jenkins: P Reece Bowman, 2B Ryne Mullen, SS Jose Negron, Revy Gomez.
Haines City: P/OF Juan Valbuena, UT Dominic Cutrupi.
Lake Gibson: P Stetson Jones, OF Cole Osborne, IF Jonathan Frere.
Lake Region: Jomar Caceres, Matthew Adkins.
Lake Wales: CF Keaton Kohl, P Owen Leever, IF Conner Clark, IF/OF Liam Tully.
Lakeland: IF Cason Benton, C Bilal Shweil, OF Brady Cover
Lakeland Christian: P Maclain Irby, OF Brody Brenneman, 3B Jaxson Rodriguez, OF Brooks Blankenship, OF Reid Freda, C/UT Bryndon Barton.
McKeel: P Brody McMillan, P Rhett Dion, OF Cole Davis.
Mulberry: IF/OF Caleb Arocho, IF Kingston Kost.
Ridge Community: OF/P Gean Colina, IF/OF Deniel Serrano, P/OF Hector Maysonent.
Santa Fe Catholic: P Aaron Walsh, C Jackson Waters, P/OF Brody Ray, 2B Alejandro Montenegro.
Tenoroc: P/IF John Cummins, IF/OF Gabriel Wojtylak.
Victory Christian: OF Cru Slocum, IF/C Aiden Flannery, IF Micah Broten.
Winter Haven: OF Jacob Setien, OF Blake Olejniczak, OF Izeah Vargas, P Gerardo Sandoval.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Here is The Ledger’s 2026 All-County High School Baseball Team
Reporting by Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
