The Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) high school baseball season is right around the corner, and excitement is building for 2026. Seven elite prep programs from New Jersey and Pennsylvania will battle it out on the diamond. Each team brings its own rich tradition, recent success, and promising talent into the new season. Let’s take a team-by-team look at what makes each program special, how they fared in 2025, and the key players and storylines to watch in 2026.
Blair Academy Buccaneers
Blair Academy enters 2026 riding high after a triumphant 2025 campaign. The Buccaneers captured the New Jersey Prep “A” state championship last spring – their first state title in a decade – by defeating Lawrenceville 3-2 in the semifinal and then dominating Peddie 8-0 in the championship game. This marked Blair’s first state crown since a four-peat of titles ended in 2015, signaling a resurgence for a program with a proud history. It’s an impressive turnaround for Blair, which not long ago had struggled in league play; as head coach Will Murray noted, the team “went from not winning a MAPL game for several seasons to winning a state championship” in 2025. That kind of resolve and growth has the Blair faithful excited for what’s next.
The Bucs will look to carry that momentum into 2026 behind some key returning players. Chief among them is Shane Hadden ’26, a hard-throwing right-hander who delivered a performance for the ages in the 2025 state final, tossing a one-hitter with seven strikeouts and even blasting a two-run homer to seal the title win. Now a senior, Hadden anchors Blair’s pitching staff and brings valuable big-game experience. While Blair graduated several impact seniors from the title team, the returning core has tasted championship glory and will be hungry for more. The Buccaneers are known for their toughness and team chemistry, and with Murray’s coaching and Hadden’s leadership, this squad will be a strong contender. Keep an eye on Blair’s defense and pitching depth – strengths that propelled them to the Prep A trophy – as they aim to add a MAPL championship to their accomplishments in 2026.
The Hill School Rams
The Hill School made headlines in 2025 by achieving something no prior Hill baseball team had done: winning a MAPL championship. The Rams finished 10-2 in league play and earned a share of the 2025 MAPL title (co-champions) after a 6-2 victory over Blair Academy on May 10, which clinched the top record in the conference. That win secured Hill’s first-ever MAPL baseball crown, a milestone that coach Ed Turner and his players celebrated with pride. “To have achieved this milestone for the team, the program, and the school is special,” Turner said, noting that sharing the title with a powerhouse like Hun (winners of five consecutive outright MAPL titles before 2025) made the accomplishment even more noteworthy. In other words, the Rams have announced themselves as a rising force in the league by ending Hun’s title streak.
Looking ahead to 2026, Hill will aim to build on that breakthrough. The Rams did graduate a strong group of seniors (or “Sixth Formers”) who set the tone last year, but Coach Turner has praised the underclassmen for their eagerness to “take the baton in future seasons”. That bodes well for a program that emphasizes player development and steady improvement. Expect Hill to continue its scrappy, all-hands-on-deck style of play. They may not always have the biggest names, but they play fundamental baseball and have excellent team cohesion. A few talented juniors from last year’s squad will now step into starring roles as seniors – watch for them to embrace the challenge of defending the MAPL title. With the confidence of 2025’s success fueling them, the Hill School Rams enter 2026 with a new identity as champions and every intention of proving that last year was just the start.
The Hun School Raiders
No conversation about MAPL baseball is complete without the Hun School, a program that has been the gold standard for much of the past decade. The Raiders won five straight league titles from 2018 through 2022 and, in 2024, pulled off an incredible trifecta – winning the Mercer County Tournament, the NJ Prep A tournament, and the MAPL championship in the same season. Last spring (2025) was a bit different only in that Hun ended up as MAPL co-champions rather than sole champions, sharing the title with Hill after an outstanding regular season battle. Even in a “rebuilding” year following massive graduation losses, Hun still went 15-7 overall and made deep runs in tournaments. This speaks to the program’s depth and winning culture. Head coach Tom Monfiletto has built a powerhouse that reloads rather than rebuilds, and he believes the 2025 squad – largely composed of new faces – gained valuable experience that will make them even more dangerous in 2026.
Hun’s strength in 2026 looks to be its pitching staff – and it’s an intimidating group. The Raiders feature not one but two Division I bound aces at the front of the rotation. Kerrick Shannon ’26, a towering right-hander committed to North Carolina, is back to full health after an injury sidelined him in 2024. Joining him is fellow senior Asher DeLue ’26, a lefty committed to Boston College who posted a 1.75 ERA with 16 strikeouts as a sophomore in 2024. Monfiletto has indicated these two will lead the charge, with a deep supporting cast of arms like Aidan Heaphy ’26 and Sam Amodio ’26 providing depth. In the lineup, even though Hun graduated some star power (like 2025 seniors Nico Amecangelo and Will Kraemer, both Division I commits), plenty of talent returns. Look for juniors-turned-seniors to step up – players such as John Rossman ’26, T.J. Francis ’26, and Zain Majeed ’26 gained starting experience and will now be core run producers. The Raiders are known for their aggressive offense and fundamentally sound defense, but pitching may steal the show this year. With Shannon and DeLue anchoring the rotation, Hun has a one-two punch that few high school teams can match. After “only” sharing the title last year, you can bet the Raiders are motivated to reclaim sole possession of the MAPL crown in 2026 – and they certainly have the firepower to do it.
Lawrenceville School Big Red
Lawrenceville’s baseball program is steeped in tradition and pride – the Big Red are used to being in the mix for titles in many sports. However, 2025 was a challenging season for Lawrenceville on the diamond. They finished 3-7 in MAPL play (8-10-2 overall), near the bottom of the league standings. Despite the under-.500 record, there were signs of potential. In fact, when the postseason came around, Lawrenceville nearly shocked everyone by pushing eventual state champion Blair Academy to the brink in the NJ Prep A semifinals, falling just 3-2 in a nail-biter. That narrow loss to Blair showed that Lawrenceville’s squad had more fight than their record suggested – on a good day, they could hang with top teams.
As the Big Red turn to 2026, they’ll be focused on translating those flashes of competitiveness into consistent success. The upside? Much of last year’s roster was composed of younger players, so a number of starters and contributors are returning with another year of experience under their belts. Look for an improved offense this season; Lawrenceville will aim to generate more runs after scoring just 43 in league play last year. Perhaps a couple of rising juniors or seniors will emerge as impact bats – the talent pool is there. Pitching depth is another area of emphasis, as the team looks to lower a staff ERA that allowed a few too many runs in 2025. On the mound, an emerging ace or two could make a big difference for Big Red. One thing you can count on is that Lawrenceville will bring enthusiasm and effort every game. Rivalry matchups (especially the historic Hill-Lawrenceville rivalry) will have the team extra motivated – Lawrenceville is eager to play spoiler and climb back into contention. Don’t sleep on the Big Red; with their proud tradition and a chip on their shoulder from last year, they could be one of 2026’s surprise turnaround teams if all the pieces come together.
Mercersburg Academy Blue Storm
For many years, Mercersburg Academy was the juggernaut of MAPL baseball – the Blue Storm dominated the league after joining in 2000, winning 9 league championships in a 14-year span and often reaching the title game nearly every season. In fact, through the early 2010s, Mercersburg regularly either won outright or shared the MAPL crown year after year. Recently, however, the balance of power has shifted, and 2025 was an especially tough year in Mercersburg. The Blue Storm went winless in league play (0-10-1) and just 2-11-1 overall, a far cry from their championship heyday. It was clearly a rebuilding season in Mercersburg, as a young squad took its lumps against veteran MAPL opponents. Yet even in a down year, there were bright spots: outfielder Gavin Williams emerged as a top hitter in the league, batting an astounding .520 and leading the entire MAPL in multiple offensive categories including batting average and slugging percentage. Williams also cracked the league’s only home run in 2025 and drove in 8 of the team’s runs, showcasing significant talent. His individual performance was a reminder that Mercersburg still produces high-level players.
As 2026 approaches, Mercersburg is eager to rewrite the narrative. The Blue Storm have added some exciting new talent to help round out the roster and make a stronger push for the MAPL title. With more depth and competition across the board, fans can look forward to seeing new names emerge and contribute as the program works to recapture its championship pedigree. Expect Mercersburg to emphasize fundamentals and gradual improvement – perhaps channeling the spirit of their dominant teams from the past. A key storyline will be how the pitching staff rebounds; preventing runs was an issue in 2025, so watch for any emerging ace who can anchor the rotation. Offensively, replacing the production of Gavin Williams will be a challenge, but it opens the door for new leaders to emerge at the plate. One thing is certain: Mercersburg Academy has a legacy in baseball, and pride runs deep. Don’t be surprised if the Blue Storm play with extra determination this year, looking to reclaim their status as a MAPL contender. A turnaround won’t happen overnight, but every game will be a chance to take a step forward – and nobody around the league will be taking Mercersburg lightly given their pedigree.
Peddie School Falcons
Peddie’s baseball team is aiming for a bounce-back season in 2026 after an up-and-down 2025. The Falcons finished just 5-8 in league (6-11 overall) last year, but those numbers don’t tell the full story of their capabilities. In the NJ Prep A state tournament, Peddie caught fire and advanced all the way to the championship game, ultimately finishing as state runner-up to Blair Academy. That strong postseason showing – including a big semifinal win to reach the title game – demonstrated the potential in Peddie’s squad when they put it all together. Even in MAPL play, Peddie had flashes of brilliance, like a 7-2 victory over Blair during the regular season where the Falcons looked every bit a top-tier team. The challenge in 2025 was consistency, but the foundation is there for a surge. Peddie has a respected baseball tradition and has produced its share of college-bound talent over the years, so the expectations are always high in Hightstown.
The 2026 Falcons have good reason to be optimistic, thanks to a core of talented players returning – including several who earned postseason honors for their 2025 performances. Brody Buchner ’26 and Eduard Fernandez ’26 were both named to the All-Prep A First Team, as was then-sophomore Jonathan Stizza ’27, signaling that Peddie had three of the top players in New Jersey prep baseball last year. All three will be back in the lineup this season (Buchner and Fernandez now as senior captains, and Stizza as an emerging junior star), providing Peddie with a potent mix of experience and skill. Stizza, in particular, turned heads as a sophomore infielder with a knack for making big plays – he had multiple games with clutch hits, including a 2-double, 2-RBI day in that win over Blair. Meanwhile, pitcher Jaden Heble ’27 (honorable mention All-Prep) is another young player to watch; he and the rest of the pitching staff will look to lower the team ERA and support the offense more effectively. Peddie’s unique strength is the balance of its roster: they have senior leadership and youthful energy in equal measure. The Falcons are well-coached and play an aggressive style – expect them to put pressure on defenses with speed and situational hitting. After tying for the 2012 MAPL title and seeing others lift the trophy since, Peddie would love to fly back to the top of the league. If their all-conference players perform as expected and the team can find consistency, the Falcons could be a dark-horse contender in 2026. Keep an eye on Peddie; this is a squad with something to prove and the talent to surprise people.
The Pennington School Red Hawks
Welcome to the league, Pennington! The Pennington School joined the MAPL in the 2023–24 school year as the conference’s seventh member, and the Red Hawks have wasted no time making their presence felt. In their debut MAPL baseball season last spring, Pennington shocked a lot of observers by finishing 8-4 in league (good for third place) and 18-6 overall, tying a program record for wins in a season. They proved they belong in this high-caliber league. Pennington’s 2025 highlights included a dramatic run in the NJ Prep B state tournament, where they reached the championship game. The Red Hawks ultimately fell 5-2 in the Prep B final to Gill St. Bernard’s, just short of a state title, but it capped a season to remember. Along the way, Pennington knocked off quality opponents and even earned some MAPL hardware in other sports (they won league titles in football and girls’ soccer in their first year), underscoring that this school is a rising power athletically. On the baseball diamond, Pennington brought a ton of energy and a winning mentality in 2025 – not to mention some serious talent on the roster.
As Pennington looks to build on that success in 2026, they will lean on a mix of veteran leadership and up-and-coming stars. One name to know is Braeden Leeds ’26, a dynamic two-way player for the Red Hawks. Leeds was integral to Pennington’s success as a junior – he pitched to several key victories (including a clutch outing where he threw a solid six innings to earn a win) and contributed with his bat and speed on the bases. In one midseason game, he reached base multiple times and scored on a rally, showing his ability to spark the offense as well. Now a senior, Leeds will likely be the ace of the staff and a catalyst in the lineup. Pennington also has some promising younger players who made an impact last year, such as Ryan Richer ’27 and Caden Burns ’27, who as freshmen got into big games – Richer had a clutch RBI double in the state tournament, and Burns served as a reliable late-inning reliever (earning a save in a tight game). That experience as underclassmen will serve them well moving forward. The Red Hawks’ team identity under coach TJ Stanton (a former collegiate pitcher himself) is built on hustle, fundamentals, and confidence. They play loose and aggressive, which makes them fun to watch and tough to play against. With the momentum of tying a school record for wins and coming so close to a championship, Pennington enters 2026 hungry for even more. Don’t underestimate the new kids on the block – the Red Hawks have quickly proven they can go toe-to-toe with MAPL’s best, and they’re determined to soar even higher this season.
The 2026 MAPL baseball season is shaping up to be a thriller.
From established powerhouses like Hun to upstart contenders like Pennington, every team has a compelling story and talented players to follow. Fans of the Beyond the Dugout community can expect competitive games, college-caliber prospects, and plenty of drama as these prep teams battle for league supremacy. Will Hill defend its co-title? Can Hun reclaim the throne outright? Which rising program might play spoiler or emerge as this year’s surprise? One thing is for sure: the Mid-Atlantic Prep League will deliver an unforgettable spring of high school baseball. Grab your popcorn (and your glove), because the 2026 MAPL season is about to hit it out of the park!
Sources: Official school athletic news and social media updates; Prep Baseball Report and Perfect Game insights; local sports coverage. Each program’s information is based on publicly available facts and recaps from the 2025 season, as cited above.