The 2023 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Mississippi.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Pearl, MS at Trustmark Park as they compete for a state championship, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing other pieces of content covering the Magnolia State.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Top 10 in each MHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. 

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

High School Name: Northeast Lauderdale High School

Coach’s Name: Brock McKnight

Classification: MHSAA 4A

2022 Record: 11-16

District Number: District 4

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 8

No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

Team Strengths: Applying pressure on the offensive end, starting pitching and overall competitiveness

Top Returning Players:

• 1B Mitchell Butler
• P Andrew McCary
• 3B Chance Guisgons
• UTL Caden Pearsell
• C Nick McCoy
• SS Shayne Schaefer

Top 2024 Prospects:

• UTL Caleb Peters
• UTL Jace Brown

Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:

• 3B Will Garrett
• 2B Maddox Smith
• P Mason Goodman
• C Elijah Collins
• UTL Hayden Backus

Team Outlook:

Northeast Lauderdale Head Coach Brock McKnight heads into the 2023 season returning 8 starters and 6 pitchers from a roster that finished 11-16 a year ago. McKnight counts on his offense to put pressure on opposing defenses, starting pitching, and the overall competitiveness of his team as key components for the Trojans to be successful in 2022. 

Top returners include seniors Mitchell Butler (1B - East Central CC), Shayne Schaefer (SS), and Immanuel Anderson (CF). Butler had an outstanding junior season, hitting .471 with 7 HR’s and 27 RBI’s and will be asked to repeat that type of production in 2023. Anderson's speed and Schaefer’s bat (.364 in 2022) should help set the table for Butler.

Other players Coach Mcknight will look to are juniors Andrew McCary (LHP), Chance Guisgond (3B), Nick McCoy (C), Jace Brown (UTL), and Caleb Peters (UTL) along with sophomore Caden Pearson (UTL). McCary, a Louisiana Monroe commit, and Brown will be expected to provide quality innings on the mound in big games this spring. Pearson, played a big role for the Trojans last year hitting .345 as a freshman. 

More underclassmen that could make splash are sophomores Will Garrett (3B), Maddox Smith (2B), Mason Goodman (RHP), Elijah Collins (C), and Hayden Backus (UTL).

The Trojans are preparing for a battle in 4A Region 4 as they look to knock off Kosciusko as well as perennial power West Lauderdale. 

 

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