Mississippi HS Team Preview: Harrison Central Red Rebels
February 3, 2025
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: Harrison Central High School
Head Coach: Neil Frederic
MHSAA Classification: MHSAA 7A
District Number: District 4
2024 Record (Playoff Finish): 12-18 (Eliminated First Round)
ROSTER PREVIEW
+ No. Returning Positional Starters: 5
+ No. Returning Pitchers: 6
+ Key Returners:
- 1B/RHP Jaxson Moore (2025, Belhaven College)
- UTL/RHP Jayden Cooper (2025)
- OF Tre Hanshaw (2025)
- UTL/RHP Kaynen Beard (2025)
- UTL/RHP Bryan Travis (2025)
- LHP Parish Laiche (2026)
- OF/RHP Hunter Gullett (2026)
More Names to Know
2026s:
- UTL Marcus Conner (2026)
TOP NEWCOMERS
+ Impact Underclassmen:
- UTL Kolton Beard
- UTL Jax Madison
2025 OUTLOOK
+ After a challenging 2024 season that ended with a 1st round loss in the 7A State Playoffs and a 12-18 record, the Harrison Central Red Rebels are looking to bounce back in a big way this spring. Head Coach Neil Frederic is focused on strengthening the team’s pitching depth, which will be a cornerstone of the Red Rebels’ strategy in 2025. With a strong returning class and a promising group of younger players, Harrison Central is determined to improve on last year’s performance and make a deeper run in the playoffs.
Jaxson Moore (1B/RHP) – As one of the team’s top pitchers and first basemen, Moore is expected to lead on the mound. With 37 innings pitched in 2024, Moore posted a solid 4-2 record with a 3.59 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Jayden Cooper (UT/RHP) – A senior utility player and right-handed pitcher, Cooper provides flexibility and depth for the Red Rebels. He finished third on the team in 2024 with 18 runs scored and is expected to continue being a key contributor both at the plate and on the mound. Tre Hanshaw (OF) – After a solid 2024 season where he posted double-digit RBIs, Hanshaw will play a key role in the outfield and will look to continue his production at the plate. His speed and ability to hit in clutch situations will be essential for the team’s offense. Kaynen Beard (UT/RHP) – Another versatile player, Beard will contribute as both a utility player and right-handed pitcher. He, too, posted double-digit RBIs in 2024 and will be expected to continue his solid play this season. His all-around skill set will be invaluable for Coach Frederic’s squad. Bryan Travis (UT/RHP) – Similar to Beard and Cooper, Travis brings versatility to the lineup as a utility player and pitcher. His ability to play multiple positions while also contributing on the mound makes him a key asset for the Red Rebels. Parish Laiche (LHP) – As a junior left-handed pitcher, Laiche will be crucial in providing depth to the pitching staff. His performance on the mound will help balance the rotation and give the Red Rebels a strong option from the left side. Hunter Gullett (OF/RHP) – A two-way player, Gullett will be a valuable contributor in both the outfield and on the mound. His ability to contribute offensively and on the hill will add to Harrison Central’s overall depth and versatility.
Pitching is the clear strength for Harrison Central heading into the 2025 season. With Moore, Cooper, Beard, Laiche, and Gullett all capable of taking the ball, the Red Rebels have a deep and talented pitching staff. Their success will depend heavily on consistency from these arms, particularly in high-pressure situations.
At the plate, players like Hanshaw, Beard, and Cooper will need to step up and drive in runs, while Moore will be relied on to anchor the offense. Despite last year’s struggles, the Red Rebels have a solid mix of experience and youth that could lead to significant improvement in 2025.
The versatility of players like Cooper, Beard, and Travis will allow Coach Frederic to mix and match lineups depending on matchups, and the depth of the roster should help keep the team fresh throughout the season.
Harrison Central enters the 2025 season with a chip on its shoulder after last year’s early playoff exit. With a deep pitching staff and some key returning position players, the Red Rebels have the potential to surprise and make a strong playoff push. If the pitching staff, led by Moore, Laiche, and Gullett, can stay consistent and provide quality innings, and if the offense can find more stability and production, Harrison Central could be a tough team to beat in 7A.
The season will likely hinge on the growth of the younger players, particularly Marcus Conner, Kolton Beard, and Jax Madison, who could all make an impact and provide the team with needed depth.
Harrison Central opens the reguar season against
Find more information on Harrison Central’s 2025 season below:
+ Follow them on X: @HCRRBaseball
+ Find more 2025 team previews on our MHSAA Season Preview page
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