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Mississippi HS Team Preview: Desoto Central Jaguars

February 5, 2025
Prep Baseball Mississippi Staff

The 2025 Mississippi high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound 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 at Pearl’s Trustmark Park, in the State Tournament finals at the end of May, 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, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.

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 and updating the Power 25 rankings.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: DeSoto Central High School
Head Coach: Brian Lewis
MHSAA Classification: MHSAA 7A
District Number: Region 1
2024 Record (Playoff Finish): 16-14 (Eliminated First Round)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ No. Returning Positional Starters: 5
+ No. Returning Pitchers: 7
+ Key Returners:

More Names to Know

2025s:

2026s:

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

2025 OUTLOOK

+ DeSoto Central enters the 2025 season with a battle-tested squad, returning five positional starters and seven pitchers from last year’s team that finished 16-14 before falling in the first round of the 7A State Playoffs. Head Coach Brian Lewis is leaning on his team’s experience and deep pitching staff to guide the Jaguars to a stronger postseason showing. With 13 seniors on the roster, leadership and depth will be major assets as they navigate a challenging schedule.

Among the key returners, senior infielder Jack Willis, an East Mississippi CC commit, will be a steady presence in the infield, alongside fellow senior Ethan Carter, who brings veteran leadership to the lineup. Another East Mississippi CC commit, Connor Simpson (Senior Future Gamer), is expected to contribute both as a left-handed pitcher and in the outfield. Memphis recruit and former Future Gamer Aiden Steht will play a crucial role as a right-handed pitcher and infielder, bringing high-level talent to both the mound and the plate.

Several other Jaguars are expected to make an impact this season, including senior Christian Newsom, a versatile utility player who can contribute in multiple roles. On the mound, seniors Tanner Bridgewater, Cooper Richardson, and Eric Abbott will help with a deep pitching staff that will be a key factor in the team's success. Junior Ashton Willis and Jud Oakley add depth to the lineup, while sophomores Mason Hildreth and Carter Dawson are young talents poised to step into bigger roles.

The Jaguars will open their season on February 11th against Center Hill, looking to start strong and build momentum for what they hope will be a deep playoff run. With a wealth of experience, a strong bullpen, and a determined senior class, DeSoto Central has all the pieces to be a serious contender in Mississippi’s 7A ranks.

Find more information on DeSoto Central’s 2025 season below:

+ Follow them on X: @dc_jaguar
+ Find more 2025 team previews on our MHSAA Season Preview page

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