The Texas High School baseball season has come to an end, and it was another fantastic year for the Texas Panhandle. Here’s a look at the 2026 Press Pass Sports Baseball Team. Compiled by Lee Passmore and Kale Steed.

Superlative Honors

Coach of the Year

Colby Chandler, West Plains

It seems that the theme for the West Plains High School athletic programs heading into each season is how to top what happened the year before.

Such is the predicament for a school which in only four years of existence has gotten very good, very quickly in just about all of the boys sports. By the end of last winter, the football and boys basketball teams could both claim reaching a state semifinal round in the school’s young history, putting some pressure on the baseball team to do the same.

For fourth-year coach Colby Chandler and his team, that wasn’t out of the question. West Plains returned an enviable crop of returning players from the previous years, some of whom had been with the Wolves as freshmen since their inaugural season of 2023.

Last year’s edition of the Wolves made a major mark, winning the District 4-4A title and reaching the regional semifinals. Again going that far, or preferably further, was reasonable to expect in 2026.

“We returned seven starters and we challenged those guys at the end of last year,” Chandler said. “Each year our program has done something it hadn’t done the year before. Our goal is always to improve. We said we’ve done these things, but let’s do something else and go further and you guys have all been part of that.”

Keeping with the general theme of the school’s athletic program, Chandler and his team set the bar a little higher.  Like the other boys programs, they cleared it.

The Wolves went two rounds further, reaching the Class 4A Division I state semifinals. For joining those other two programs as state semifinalists, Chandler is the 2026 Press Pass Sports Baseball Coach of the Year.

West Plains reached the 30 wins barrier for the first time, going 31-10 this season. The Wolves tied with Canyon ISD rival Canyon for the district title, showing that last season was no fluke.

Chandler didn’t have to convince his team that success was no accident.

“That’s something our school has established in its young history is we want to be a team which is expected to do well and we want the pressure as coaches,” Chandler said. “That’s something our senior group this last year was really, really accomplished as a whole, not just in baseball, but in every sport. I’m really proud that they stuck with it because those guys started in July with football and that’s a long season. To go as deep as we did in football and basketball, I was just proud of the grit those guys showed and their resilience.”

West Plains swept Seminole, El Paso Yslets and Springtown to open the playoffs, but ran into a nemesis in the region finals against Mineral Wells. That was the same team who eliminated the Wolves in a one-game playoff last year in the region semis.

The Wolves got the three-game series they wanted this year, but Mineral Wells still got the upper hand, winning the first game 2-1 in 10 innings, as the Rams scored the winning run when West Plains reliever Reid Macon hit a batter with the bases loaded to bring home the winning run.

West Plains didn’t despair in the next two games, though. After giving up a first inning run in game two, the Wolves gave up nothing the rest of the way, as Noah Vasquez threw a complete-game four hitter and walked none was West Plains put together enough offense to rally for a 3-1 win and force a third game.

Macon was called upon after his rough end the night before to start on the mound, but was limited in the number of pitches he could throw due to UIL rules. He justified Chandler’s trust in him, throwing 3 2/3 shutout innings before being lifted after hitting the 110-pitch limit. The Wolves got their bats untracked to take care of the rest, winning 7-0 to secure a spot in the state semis.

There, they ran into Pleasant Grove, who showed why it would win the state championship the next week, sweeping West Plains 10-3 and 10-0. The Wolves, though, had made their point and Chandler thinks his program has set a baseline.

“Ultimately this senior class obviously deserves a lot of credit but it was also the classes who came before them and established a winning culture,” Chandler said. “As corny as it may sound sometimes, the Wolfpack Way is a thing and it’s an expectation. That was our talking point from day one. They still buy into it today.”

– Lee Passmore

Player of the Year

Noah Vasquez, West Plains, 5-10, pitcher/ infielder/ outfielder, Sr.

Vasquez was probably the most adaptable player on a team full of versatile athletes. What might have set him apart was how effective he was no matter where the Wolves used him.

As part of a three-man pitching rotation with fellow senior right-handers Jesse Flores and Reid Macon, Vasquez rotated between the mound and playing shortstop and centerfield when the other two were pitching. He performed well enough at all three spots to be named the District 4-4A MVP after helping lead West Plains to a share of the district championship.

Vasquez was already proven as a pitcher from last season, when he alternated between starting and relieving and did both effectively. He again served both roles on the mound and finished 7-3 with a 2.01 ERA with four saves. His biggest showing was in the 4A Division I region finals, when he was called on in a must-win situation in game two and threw a complete-game four-hit 3-1 win, retiring the last 11 batters to set up a game three win.

At the plate, Vasquez was just as effective, hitting .403 with five home runs and 34 RBIs.

“We knew what type of baseball player Noah was,” West Plains coach Colby Chandler said. “I think he exceeded his own expectations at the plate as he wasn’t a kid who was an every day hitter for us the year before. We knew what he could do on the mound and he continued to do that. He’s truly a utility dude who can play any spot on the field. What he showed for us in game two against Mineral Wells was the guy he’d been all year long.”

– Lee Passmore

Newcomer of the Year

Phoenix Lopez, Pampa, 5-9, catcher, Fr.

It’s never an easy transition to find a role coming out of junior high into high school, but Lopez made it look easy as he became a leader on the Harvesters varsity baseball team on and off the field. Lopez, the District 4-4A Newcomer of the Year, caught in 22 games for Pampa and kept improving as the season went on hitting .368 on the season with an on base percentage of .446. Lopez tacked on three doubles and 11 RBIs with a fielding percentage of .955, and threw out 16 runners trying to steal.

“Anytime you have a freshman in a big role and handle it the way Phoenix did that’s encouraging for the program,” Pampa baseball coach Austin Samulowitz said. “We could always count on Phoenix on the field and in the dugout as well. He’s one of the best kids in the entire high school and he always does things in a positive way. I think the game was a little fast for him at first, which was to be expected but he learned how to play at a high level. He was good at putting the ball in play and he learned how to play catcher and never looked like a freshman.”

THE TEAM

PITCHERS

Bayler Schilling, Canyon, 6-0, Sr.

Schilling was primarily a reliever in his first two seasons for the Eagles, but his transition to a starter this season was literally perfect. He was the staff ace with a 12-0 mark, a 1.62 ERA and had an impressive .862 WHIP in being named a first-team 4-4A selection for the district co-champions.

Taegan Tate, Amarillo High, 6-2, Soph.

Last year’s Press Pass Sports Newcomer of the Year showed he’ll be force to be reckoned with for three years, as he was the District 3-5A Pitcher of the Year in helping the Sandies to a district co-championship. Tate was 10-2 with a 1.83 ERA, 86 strikeouts in 69 innings and only 56 hits allowed all season.

Reid Macon, West Plains, 6-0, Sr.

A repeat selection on the mound, Macon has shown that the football field isn’t the only place where his right arm is effective. Macon was a first-team District 4-4A selection who started and relieved and was 3-2 with a 2.51 ERA and one save and also started in centerfield when not pitching for the Wolves.

Jett Pittman, Gruver, 5-10, Soph.

The ace of a deep pitching staff helped carry a very talented Gruver Greyhound team that finished with an impressive 19-3 overall record and a run to the UIL Class 2A Division II state quarterfinals. Pittman was lethal to his opponents anytime he stepped on the mound, going 9-1 on the season, carrying a microscopic ERA of 1.54 over 40.1 innings on the year with 54 total strikeouts to only 15 walks. For his outstanding season, the sophomore was named the District 1-2A Pitcher of the Year.

CATCHER

Jimmy Escajeda, Amarillo High, 5-10, Sr.

Escajeda was the rare catcher who hit leadoff, and he helped Amarillo High go offensively, batting .425 with two home runs and 31 RBIs from the top spot. He might have been even more important defensively, as he was the 3-5A Defensive MVP, throwing out 16 runners trying to steal.

INFIELDERS

Wade McConnell, Bushland, 6-6, Sr.

With height and power, McConnell feasted on pitching all season and provided the pop in the lineup that led Bushland back to a District 1-3A championship, as the Falcons won 25 games, advancing three rounds deep in the UIL Class 3A Division I playoffs. The District 1-3A MVP carried an impressive average of .579 at the plate, he clubbed 11 home runs, drove in 68 runs and tallied 25 doubles. When called upon, McConnell was 8-3 on the mound with a 2.41 ERA totaling 69 strikeouts.

Carson Allen, Canyon, 5-10, Sr.

Allen was one of the area’s top hitters in his two previous seasons for the Eagles, and he cemented that reputation this season. He was named 4-4A Offensive MVP in helping Canyon to a share of the district championship, batting .509 with six homers, 35 RBIs and 25 extra base hits.

Kalub Ramirez, Hereford, 5-10, Sr.

A four-year starter, Ramirez was named the 4-4A Defensive MVP at third base and also led the Whitefaces at the plate, batting .432 with four homers, 23 RBIs and 16 extra base hits while striking out only eight times in 107 at-bats. Ramirez was also 4-1 as a pitcher with a team-leading 2.16 ERA.

Briggs Satterfield, Gruver, 6-0, Sr.

The Gruver multi-sport senior and leader will be sorely missed in any sport he participated in for the Greyhound athletic program. When he wasn’t pitching for a Gruver team that advanced to the UIL Class 2A Division II state quarterfinals, Satterfield flashed the leather on the left side of the infield. Satterfield also got it done at the dish, hitting .333 on the season with 10 RBIs and five doubles. The All-State quarterback on the gridiron earned the respect of District 1-2A MVP as well.

OUTFIELDERS

Noah Cuellar, Randall, 6-2, Sr.

Cuellar emerged as a reliable starting outfielder for the Raiders and became a pleasant surprise in earning first-team 4-4A honors. He batted .411 and drove in 10 runs while scoring 13 as he became a reliable hitter late in the season. Cuellar also frequently pitched for Randall.

Austin Sluder, Amarillo High, 5-11, Sr.

A repeat selection, Sluder more than lived up to his billing to close out his career. Sluder was named 3-5A Co-Offensive MVP, helping lead the Sandies to a share of the district championship by leading the team batting .460 with five homers and 35 RBIs, along with 24 stolen bases.

Elijah Vasquez, West Plains, 5-5, Sr.

Don’t be misled by his diminutive stature, as Vasquez rose in prominence in the West Plains lineup as the season progressed. Vasquez was a first-team 4-4A selection, batting .465 with six homers, 44 RBIs and 19 extra base hits. Just as impressively, he had only six strikeouts in 114 at-bats.

DESIGNATED HITTER

Brix Machen, Hereford, 6-4 Jr.

Machen was a first-team 4-4A selection in the outfield and has already established himself as one of the area’s top all-around athletes in four sports as an underclassman. He hit .410 with two homers and 20 RBIs for the Herd and tied for the team lead with eight stolen bases.

UTILITY PLAYERS

Tate Blackwell, Amarillo High, 5-10, Sr.

Blackwell was a first-team 3-5A selection at second base, batting .360 with 24 RBIs for the Sandies. He also was part of a strong pitching staff, going 8-1 with a 3.24 ERA as part of a three-man starting rotation in district play leading the way to a district co-championship.

Colton Strickland, Bushland, 5-11, outfielder, Sr.

The District 1-3A Offensive MVP had quite the year helping the Bushland Falcons regain the District 1-3A title and make a push to the third round of the playoffs. Strickland showed off his glove in the outfield, and could dominate at the plate, posting a batting average of .484 to go with 46 RBIs, eight doubles and seven triples.

Merritt Cudd, Gruver, 5-10, infielder/ pitcher, Jr.

Cudd could play a host of positions but mainly dominated the right side of the infield defensively. Cudd was also clutch at the plate for the Gruver Greyhounds, registering 15 RBIs and four doubles to go with a batting average of .311.

Breck Proctor, Nazareth, 5-11, pitcher/ infielder, Sr.

The Nazareth Swifts had another outstanding season with a dominating season making a run to the UIL Class 1A regional semifinals. Proctor earned District 3-1A MVP honors for his performance on the year. Proctor was used all over the field and was dominant at the dish hitting .449 with an on-base percentage of .630. Proctor added 25 RBIs, four doubles and scored 30 runs.

BEST OF THE REST
(Alphabetical order)

David Abeyta, Tulia, 5-10, infielder, Jr. 

Sam Adams, Tascosa, 5-11, infielder, Sr.

Pake Babbs, Gruver, 6-0, outfielder, Sr. 

Andrew Bellino, Canyon, 5-8, infielder, Jr.

Brody Brown, Sanford-Fritch, 6-1, pitcher, Sr. 

Lincoln Buchanan, Borger, 6-5, pitcher, Sr.

Enrique Canssino, Perryton, 5-10, outfielder, Sr.

Kai Carrillo, West Plains, 6-2, infielder, Sr. 

Jayden Cedillo, Amarillo High, 5-11, pitcher/ infielder, Sr.

Jake Doak, Canyon, 5-8, catcher, Sr.

Jesse Flores, West Plains, 5-10, pitcher/ infielder, Sr.

Cash Fulton, West Texas High, 6-3, infielder, Sr. 

Brody Hightower, Childress, 5-10, catcher, Jr.

Talon Jones, Amarillo High, 6-0, infielder, Sr.

Lincoln Krause, Bushland, 6-5, pitcher/ infielder/ outfielder, Soph.  

Boston Ladd, West Plains, 5-11, infielder, Sr. 

Braxton Lowrey, Randall, 6-1, designated hitter, Sr.

Jarvis Pastrana, Tulia, 5-10, pitcher/ catcher, Jr. 

Lincoln Proctor, Nazareth, 5-11, pitcher/ catcher, Jr.

Blake Robinson, Dumas, 6-2, pitcher/ outfielder, Sr.

Ethan Subealdea, Hereford, 5-8, pitcher/ catcher, Sr.

Valen Swinford, Sunray, 6-1, pitcher/ infielder, Soph. 

Colton Teichelman, Childress, 5-11, infielder, Sr.

Gustavo Trevino, Tulia, 5-11, infielder, Jr. 

Hunter Trusler, Dalhart, 6-1, pitcher/ infielder, Sr. 

Tony Vasquez, Dalhart, 5-10, infielder, Sr.

Jabrelyn Wilson, Palo Duro, 5-10, outfielder, Sr.