The Baldwin County baseball season officially gets underway Feb. 19, with every AHSAA program in the county opening play over the next week.

Gulf Coast Media compiled information from coaches around the county along with additional details from teams at Mobile Baseball Connection's media night at Dreamland BBQ in Mobile, allowing us to provide a season preview to one of the best places to play baseball in the south.

BALDWIN COUNTY HIGH

Baldwin County finished 10-20 last season and opens the 2026 campaign at Faith Academy on Feb. 20. The Tigers have a handful of upperclassmen standouts this year, starting with senior Braydon Bryars, the ace of the pitching staff in 2025. Coen Lambeth is another senior and Coastal Alabama South signee; a bullpen arm that projects to be a starter with losses from last season.

Rounding out the upperclassmen Tigers is junior Roan Wallace coming off a strong sophomore season as the game three starter. He reportedly had a great summer throwing in the travel baseball circuit and will typically sit in the low to mid 80's with his fastball.

Head coach Trent Higginbotham praised his seniors at media night but expects some underclassmen within his program to step up to the plate and take advantage of opportunities.

"We have seven seniors in the program this year, but we are going to be powered by some young guys," Higginbothem said. "We are going to need other young guys to step up — we have some guys who have played some high-end travel ball, so I am really excited to see them compete for their community."

BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN

Bayshore Christian head coach Jeff Hauge also serves as athletic director and assistant football coach. The Eagles front man said wearing many hats helps him connect to his athletes at a small school. The goal for Hauge and other Bayshore coaches has always been bigger than the sports.

"Our goal at Bayshore is to empower our guys to be the best young men that they can be to grow up in maturity in Christ," head coach Jeff Hauge said at Mobile Baseball Connection media night. "That is our ultimate No. 1 goal."

Center fielder Asher Hilbun and catcher Frankie Mercante are two experienced players on the team and spoke about being leaders for the young guys, saying it's easy to get close with the team and take the underclassmen under their wings being that they grow up playing together. The Eagles went 13-16 last season and made the Class 2A state playoffs. The Eagles open Feb. 19 at Orange Beach.

BAYSIDE ACADEMY

Bayside Academy finished 15-16 in 2025 and made the Class 4A state playoffs. The Admirals open play Feb. 19 at Alma Bryant.

Much different from the 2025 Bayside football team, the Admirals baseball team will be lacking upperclassmen. Senior outfielder and Shelton State signee Noah Cain was a part of that runner-up football program in the fall and will project as one of the leaders on the diamond. Alongside him will be returning starter, senior pitcher Grady Stokes.

"We come into this season with a lot of younger players being asked to grow up quickly," head coach Matt Limbaugh said. "Our goal is to simply find ways to improve everyday. I'm excited to see how far we've come once area play starts."

DAPHNE

The Trojans' roster features one of the highest-ranked players in the state for the Class of 2027 in outfielder Colin Watson. Daphne went 20-16 last season, reaching the first round of the Class 7A playoffs, the most wins for the program since 2021. They open play this season on Feb. 19 at UMS-Wright.

Coach Charles Basford was not able to be reached and the team did not attend Mobile Baseball Connection media night.

ELBERTA

Elberta finished 31-10 in 2025 and tied for the best finish of any county team as they reached the 5A semifinals. The Warriors open play in 2026 on Feb. 19 at McGill-Toolen.

Yes, 2025 was the best season in program history, but that seems to be the expectation when coached by Owen Davis who won area titles at Daphne before having success at Baldwin County and Elberta. Seniors Brice Brooks and Carson Watts return as leaders of a young 2026 Warrior team and plan to have no worries carrying the standard set in 2025.

"The expectations carry over from last year," assistant coach Casey Gattenio said at media night. "The culture is the same — the personnel is just a little different — we're going to be on the younger side this year, so we have ramped it up at practice and with meetings in the fall."

FAIRHOPE

Fairhope finished 32-15 last season, tying for the best county finish with Elberta as they lost in the 7A semifinals. The team opens this season on Feb. 20 at home against Gulf Shores.

The program lost 12 seniors from 2025 but has a roster full of multi-sport players expected to carry the winning expectations from last season. Key returning players include outfielder and Samford football signee Bryon Martin, utility player Lance Wade and infielder/pitcher Alex Herington.

"We are returning 12 innings (from last season) on the mound, so we are going to have to find an identity there," head coach Kyle Hunter said at media night. "We do have a good core coming back, a couple of multi-sport guys — these guys know what success and the process is in multiple sports so I am excited for these guys to set the tone."

FOLEY

Foley went 20-16 last season and opens this year on Feb. 20 at St. Michael.

Head coach Jordan Ebert said the team may not be the most complete, but it will feature size and athleticism. Juniors Lukus Bryant and Brady Nichols along with seniors Alex Daigle and Anthony Leverette provide a veteran nucleus to a team that is expected to hit with power this season.

"This is a team that has tremendous potential to improve as the year goes," Ebert said. "There is a lack of defensive experience on this team but potential to be one of the most potent offenses in Baldwin County. This is a team that should hit the ball off the wall and over it. There will definitely be some learning lumps as players try and learn new positions but if they can find a way to improve defensively they will have a chance to compete."

GULF SHORES

Gulf Shores finished 20-14 last season, reaching the Class 6A second-round playoffs. The Dolphins open Feb. 19 vs St. Michael at home to start the season.

Head coach Chris Jacks said the team combines veteran leadership with hungry young talent. Three seniors will pave the way starting with Price Stephens, a Southern Union State signee returning behind the plate and in the outfield. Bishop State Community College signee Jacob O'Bryan and Mississippi Gulf Coast signee John Luke Stephens join him as key pieces in the lineup and on the mound.

"I'm really excited about this upcoming season and truly enjoy being around this group of guys every day," Jacks said. "We've got a great mix of veteran leadership and young talent that's hungry to compete. Our goal is to bring home an area championship and make a deep playoff run, and this group has the mindset and work ethic to make it happen."

ORANGE BEACH

Last season, the Orange Beach Makos went 20-10 — this season they open play on Feb. 19 at home against Bayshore.

Depth and experience make this team one of the top programs in the Mobile area according to Prep Baseball Report, with six returning seniors and numerous juniors and transfers. Junior catcher Colton Boyd is committed to USM and is ranked as a top-10 player in Alabama. Senior third baseman and Mobile signee Matthew Hoover along with fellow senior Brayden Hood will also help lead the way in the pursuit to get the Makos back in the postseason this year.

"It's been kind of a crazy offseason, we have had a bunch of kids, their parents have made the choice with them to come be a part of what we got going," Hoyle said. "You have years where you have nine or 10 guys and you can make the lineup out with your eyes closed, this year will not be that year for me."

ROBERTSDALE

Robertsdale finished 15-19 in 2025 and will open the year against JU Blacksher at Murphy High School.

Head coach Dakota Bodree said the team expects to be disciplined with five returning starters, building on last year's culture. Bodree listed those five key returners as Kael Nielsen (SS), Evan Foster (1B/P), Waylen Bell (P/DH), Drake Bryant (3B/C) and Brayden Quinley (OF).

"Anyone can show up. We prepare, we train, and we play the game the right way — hard, every day," Bodree said. The Golden Bears' head man said at media night that he tries to tell his players to play hard every time they are on the field, because when high school baseball is gone you don't get it back.

SPANISH FORT

Spanish Fort finished 23-15 last season, reaching the 6A state quarterfinals. The Toros will open Feb. 19 at home against St. Paul's.

Head coach Tommy Walker said the senior-heavy roster has great chemistry across classes. Three of his senior returners will headline the team: Andrew Salmon, Austin Arthur and Northwest Shoals signee Brayden Bound. Walker said at media night that the team made a list of commitments this offseason, and they are committing to defining all the meanings of "finish" in baseball.

"It's my third year back and I have probably had fun with this group of guys more than any," Walker said. "I have enjoyed the other teams but this group is just different — they all get along, sophomores, seniors and juniors. We are senior heavy and a lot of them have been waiting their turn."

ST. MICHAEL

St. Michael finished 13-15 last season and return Stillman College signee, senior Noah Mosley. The Cardinals will open the season on Feb. 19 at Gulf Shores.

Coach Peter Bezeredi was not reached for comment, and the team did not attend media night in Mobile.