Eagle Lake 12U All-Star Team head coach Jake Wren texted in his group chat that a state championship is loading ahead of the 2026 baseball season.
That didn’t come to fruition, as Eagle Lake ultimately lost in the state final, but weeks later, something bigger was brewing. The Babe Ruth League local youth baseball team ultimately won 5-4 over Jacksonville in the regional championship — the first in program history — to clinch a spot at the Cal Ripken Baseball Major/70 (12U) World Series in Branson, Missouri, which is slated for Aug. 5.
While the initial thought process didn’t fathom the idea of making it to the World Series, Wren had an inclination that his team was good enough during regionals, after which players on his team won both the home run derby and the fastest-man competitions thanks to Cooper Lehning and Jayden Brooks, respectively.
These skill sets were put on full display during live-action games, as the team is now 20-2, winning games via the long ball.
“You take your foot off the gas for our sixth-through-10th hitters, then you’re going to be in trouble. Just knowing that we have the ability to score in waves, I think we knew that we could out-hit some of our other deficiencies,” Wren said.
It may not have looked like the team had any deficiencies early on, though. After all, the team has been on the rise for the last five years. And heading into this season, the team was highly favored.
But the team showcased its talents in all-star exhibitions, exhibiting how good the squad can be.
“When things don’t start to go your way, you figure out who you really are. Do you have the mental toughness and still compete, and not let your emotions take over? … I’m really proud of our kids for growing in that respect and not allowing one or two plays to derail our whole mission,” Wren said.
This mission, which is now to win the World Series, is led by an entire team that is comprised of players who can play small ball, hitting and running, bunting, stealing. But the team can also hit the ball out of the ballpark consistently.
“I’m extremely proud. It’s cool to have accomplishments, but most importantly, as they turn the page and continue to play baseball and play the game of life, the way you handle aversity, that means a lot more. That means a lot, and I’m extremely proud,” Wren said.
Assistant head coach Josh Barfield has seen this team play well all season long and knows what makes this team go.
“Talent has helped us get here, but what really drives the team is how they compete with and for each other,” Barfield said. “They celebrate each other, pick each other up and never quit. These kids genuinely root for each other.”
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: How the Eagle Lake 12U baseball team did the unexpected, advance to WS
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
