Video: Pivotal triple play
See Tupelo Christian seventh-grader Easton Hood start a fancy triple play in a state title game.2017 Mississippi Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Oxford
Head coach: Chris Baughman
2016 record: 28-8
The two-time defending Class 5A state champions won't be quite as explosive as last year, but coach Chris Baughman expects the Chargers to have more speed and depth this year. Oxford has a pair of players with All-State potential in Louisville signee
Ben Bianco (catcher) and LSU commit
Drew Bianco (infielder).
Preston Perkins (outfielder) and
Carson Stinnett (infielder) are also possible All-State selections.
See last season's Mississippi baseball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard2. Houston
Head coach: Scott Gann
2016 record: 31-4
The Class 4A state champions return a number of key players from last year's squad, including two All-State pitchers in
Tanner Smith and
Colton Peel. Behind the plate, Houston has one of the top catchers in the Class of 2018 in
Luke Hancock, who was also a first team All-State selection. Hancock batted .540 with five home runs while Smith was 11-0 and Peel was 8-2.
See the MaxPreps Mississippi baseball pro photo galleries3. Oak Grove (Hattiesburg)
Head coach: Chris McCardle
2016 record: 19-9
The 11-time state champions look to bounce back from a season in which they failed to win 20 games for the first time since 2009. Six of the team's top eight offensive players return from last year, including
Mack Pickering (.405) and
Drew Boyd (.293, 2 HR). The entire pitching staff returns, led by Boyd, who went 7-1 with a 1.31 ERA last year.
See last season's MaxPreps Mississippi baseball playoff brackets4. Jackson Prep
Head coach: Brent Heavener
2016 record: 23-14
After winning over 30 games in each of the past three seasons, Jackson Prep won just 23 last year. Brent Heavener takes over for coach Charles Box and he returns two of the state's top pitchers in
Matthew Myers and
Will Warren.
Knox Loposer, meanwhile, is one of the state's top junior catchers.
See last season's MaxPreps Mississippi baseball stat leaders
5. HattiesburgHead coach: Joe Hartfield
2016 record: 26-9
The south state 5A champion last year, Hattiesburg returns seven players who saw starting time on that squad, including one of the top juniors in the nation in
Joseph Gray. A centerfielder as a sophomore, Gray moves to shortstop and pitcher this year and is a likely first round draft pick in 2018. He's joined by Louisiana Lafayette commit
Dexter Jordan in the outfield and possible draft pick
A.J. Stinson at second base. Like Gray, Jordan and Stinson are both juniors.
