ELLISVILLE – Optimism reigns for Jones College baseball heading into the 2026 season.
 
Head coach Wes Thigpen believes the Bobcats have a chance to contend for MACCC and Region 23 championships this spring.
 
"We really like the group we have this year," Thigpen said, who has guided Jones to a 141-65 record in his first four seasons as head coach. "We have a lot of depth on both sides of the baseball. We have a lot of new faces this year, but the older leadership has done a great job of setting the standards for those guys and getting them ready. 
 
"We have had a few good scrimmages this spring, still trying to make sure we put the guys in the right roles and positions to be the most successful."
 
Just a few players return from last year's squad that went 35-15 overall as MACCC runner-up and advanced to the region playoffs.
 
Talan Theriot (Luling, La.), Chase Russell (Madison Central), Colton Smith (Bossier City, La.), Josh Lee (Gulfport) and Caden Freeman (Marshall Academy) are among those at the top of the list. 
 
"We do not return many everyday starters from last year from a position player standpoint," Thigpen said. "Talan is one that is a team captain and is sliding over from third base to play shortstop and has done a tremendous job throughout the fall and spring. Chase coming back will see some time in the outfield as well as first base offensively and should be one of our starting arms on the mound. Colton is another team captain for us who has come back and been really good in fall and spring. He has developed a changeup that will really help him vs. left-handed hitters from his lower arm slot. 
 
"Josh is returning with a lot of experience on the mound as well. Caden is our closer from last year. That really helps as well with a lot of experience on the back end of games with nine saves last year."
 
The Bobcats lost several several standouts off last year's team. Thigpen is confident in the incoming freshmen that will fill out and contribute to this year's roster.
 
Pitcher/infielder Brayson Graham (Wayne County) is regarded as a top 100 prospect by Prep Baseball Report. Catcher/infielder Dylan Champagne (Prairieville, La.), pitcher Gage Thompson (Oak Grove), outfielder Warren Hutchinson (Madison Central), infielder Sanders Ainsworth (Madison Central) and Mississippi College transfer pitcher Trevor Hodges (Watson, La.) will see plenty of playing time.
 
"We definitely lost a lot last year, especially position player wise, but we feel like we have several new guys that have come in and done a great job so far," Thigpen said. "Brayson will see time as a pitcher and a hitter. He is a physical kid that can impact the game on both sides of the ball. Dylan is another one that stands out. He missed his senior year with a torn ACL and some of our fall, but has had a really good spring so far. He will see time on the infield as well as behind the plate. 
 
"Gage has done a great job since being on campus. He has a shot to be really good in our league and a possible starter for us on the mound. Warren and Sanders have been good since stepping on campus this fall and will get a lot of at bats for us with Warren in the outfield and Sanders on the infield. Trevor joined us this spring and is an elite strike thrower with multiple pitches for strikes and should see time as a starting arm for us as well."
 
Around the infield, Jones will look to freshman Brayden Quick (Germantown), Champagne and freshman Owen Bellanger (Gulfport) behind the plate. At first base, Jones will have left-handed hitters Russell, freshman Sam Oakley (Hartfield Academy), Graham and a right-handed option in redshirt sophomore Walker Long (Sumrall), who is coming off two ACL surgeries, and Ainsworth.
 
"Champagne can play multiple positions, so that will give us a chance to see all three catchers this year," Thigpen said. "We have some physical left-handed hitters at first base and Long has been having a good spring so far."
 
The Bobcats have several options at second base, including freshman Kelan Guidry (Baton Rouge, La.), freshman Eli Wheat (Oak Grove) and sophomore Dakota Smith (West Jones). 
 
"Dakota had a good fall and is off to a good start this spring," Thigpen said. "He can play multiple infield positions."
 
Theriot will be the shortstop.
 
"Talan is our everyday shortstop," Thigpen said. "He is a great leader and he had a really good fall where he showed more power than his freshman year. He is very sure-handed and you know what you are going to get everyday from him."
 
Champagne, Ainsworth and Dakota Smith will see time at third base, depending on who is pitching and who is catching each game.
 
The outfield will see several possible combinations.
 
In the conference, Thigpen said No. 2 Pearl River and No. 3 East Central will be contenders.
 
"The MACCC is always a tough league to play in with a lot of really good teams," he said. "The last few years Pearl River and East Central have been good and have done a great job, but in this league anyone can beat anyone on any given day."

Assisting Thigpen this season will be Jonathan Parker, Trey Harrington and Reece Ewing. 
 
Thigpen believes he has one of the top staffs in the nation.
 
"I feel like we have a really complete coaching staff," he said. "Coach Parker has been with me from the start and has done a great job with recruiting and running our offense. We would not have any of the success we have had in the past without him. Having Coach Harrington back for year two has been great. He has done an incredible job with the infield and his attention to detail with those guys has been great. He does a great job preparing our guys for games through scouting reports and practice as well. 
 
"We added Reece this year to round out our coaching staff and he hit the ground running. He has done a great job with our outfielders and hitters and brings a lot of playing experience in JUCO and the DI level as well."
 
Thigpen believes the Bobcats have the ingredients to be a solid team this season.
 
"We feel like we have a great group of young men that have done a great job maintaining the culture of the program," he said. "We have the right pieces to the puzzle we feel, but as coaches we need to make sure we put them in the best positions and situations to be the most successful."
 
The Bobcats open the season Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Coastal Alabama-North. In their home debut, they face East Central in a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Feb. 2.