LebCo Baseball Season Outlook: 2026

The 2026 high school baseball season is here, and Lebanon County’s six teams are stepping into the spring with plenty of storylines to watch. Annville-Cleona, Cedar Crest, ELCO, Lebanon, Northern Lebanon, and Palmyra all bring different strengths, questions, and expectations into the new season, from championship aspirations to rebuilding efforts and breakout potential. Here’s a look at where each team stands as the new season gets underway.

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Annville-Cleona Dutchmen 

Lancaster Lebanon League

Section 4

Head Coach: Mike Miller – 9th season

Key Returners: Traian Dompier (Sr., IF/P), Zac Frentz (Sr., INF/P), Cian Soliday (Sr., OF/P), Alex Shaffer (Jr., INF/P)

Rising Contributors: Armani Santos (Sr., OF), Tanner Stokes (Sr., INF), Devon Englehart (Jr., INF/P), Grayden Summers (Jr., INF)

Key Losses: Preston Bomgardner, Jack Getty, Bryce Keller, Noah Morcom, Colton Shaffer, Malacai Victa

2025 Record: 11-9, 6-4 in Section 4, LL League Playoff Qualifier

Season Outlook

After another competitive season in LL Section 4, Annville-Cleona enters 2026 with a solid core back and a chance to stay in the mix. The Dutchmen finished 11-9 last spring and reached the LL League playoffs, giving them a good foundation heading into this season.

The returning group is led by Traian Dompier, Zac Frentz, Cian Soliday, and Alex Shaffer. Frentz put together a strong junior season at the plate, batting .375 with 27 hits, 15 RBI, 16 runs scored, 3 doubles, 2 triples, and a home run. Dompier also delivered a strong all-around season, hitting .316 with 18 hits, 14 runs scored, and 10 RBI while posting a 1.09 ERA, 4 wins, and 3 complete games on the mound.

Soliday gives Annville-Cleona another experienced senior piece after earning a win on the mound in limited work last season, while Shaffer should take on a larger role after going 2-1 with a 4.32 ERA as a sophomore.

The Dutchmen will also look for added help from Armani Santos, Tanner Stokes, Devon Englehart, and Grayden Summers as they work to replace a group of key graduates. Coach Mike Miller said the biggest key will be consistency in all phases. If Annville-Cleona can play clean baseball, score enough runs, and limit fielding mistakes, the Dutchmen should give themselves a chance in most games.

Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League

Section 1

Head Coach: Matt Knox – 6th season

Key Returners: Carson DiBiaso (Sr.), Davin Kolter (Jr.), Skyler Sherman (Jr.), Mason Cevette (So.), Isaac Kreider (So.)

Rising Contributors: Tyler Toscano (Sr.), Lucas Schreier (Jr.), Landon Yeingst (Jr.), Chase Ruhl (So.), Chase Norris (Fr.)

Key Losses: Jackson Custer, Vincent Good, Aaron Krumbine, Luke Oriel

2025 Record: 6-14, 1-9 in Section 1

Season Outlook

A full turnaround is the goal at Cedar Crest after the Falcons finished 6-14 while playing in LL Section 1 last season. The message around the program is straightforward: 2026 needs to look much different.

There is at least a starting point in place. Senior Carson DiBiaso returns after hitting .311 with 19 hits and 11 RBI, giving the Falcons an experienced bat to build around. Skyler Sherman also comes back after batting .296 with 16 hits and 6 RBI in 20 games.

The sophomore class could have a lot to say about how much Cedar Crest improves. Mason Cevette hit .264 with 14 hits and 10 RBI as a freshman while also logging varsity innings on the mound. Isaac Kreider added a .275 average with 19 hits and 9 RBI, giving the Falcons another young player who already has meaningful varsity experience. Davin Kolter is also back as part of the returning junior group and should be counted on for a larger role this spring.

Cedar Crest will also look for help from Tyler Toscano, Lucas Schreier, Landon Yeingst, Chase Ruhl, and Chase Norris as it tries to flip last year’s record and become more competitive. The Falcons are young, but there is senior leadership in place, and that combination will be important if Cedar Crest is going to make a move in a tough section.

2025 LebCo All-County Team

ELCO Raiders  

Lancaster Lebanon League

Section 3

Head Coach: Brad Kreiser – 3rd season

Key Returners: Tyce Boyer (Sr., OF), Braden Gettle (Sr., INF), Zach Martin (Sr., INF), Austin Smith (Sr., P), Queston Rivera (Jr., OF/P), Isaac Tanger (Jr., C), Tanner Hibshman (So., INF)

Rising Contributors: Ethan Cook (Jr., OF), Brinley Donmoyer (Jr., OF), Owen Halpin (Jr., INF), Wyatt Parker (Jr., INF/P), Landon Rhodes (Jr., OF), Grant Wenger (Jr., OF)

Key Loss: Gavin Bicher, Liam Savitsky

2025 Record: 11-9, 5-5 in Section 3

Season Outlook

With many of last year’s starters back, ELCO heads into the 2026 season aiming to turn a competitive year into a postseason push. The Raiders finished 11-9 overall and played solid baseball in LL Section 3 while working through a season in which only three starters had returned from the previous year.

That experience should pay off now. Austin Smith gives ELCO a proven frontline arm after earning First Team Section 3 honors as a pitcher. He also helped at the plate, batting .324 with 22 hits, 21 runs scored, and 8 RBI. Braden Gettle was a First Team Section 3 selection in the infield after hitting .367 with 22 hits and 17 RBI, while also contributing on the mound with a 3.13 ERA.

Tyce Boyer returns after earning Second Team Section 3 honors in the outfield and batting .302 with 13 hits and 6 RBI. Zach Martin was another Second Team all-section pick after batting .295 with 18 hits and 8 RBI.

ELCO also brings back key pieces in Queston Rivera, Isaac Tanger, and Tanner Hibshman. Rivera hit .286 with 18 hits, 13 runs scored, and 9 RBI last season. Tanger added 12 hits and 10 RBI behind the plate, while Hibshman gained important varsity experience as a freshman.

The Raiders will also count on Ethan Cook, Brinley Donmoyer, Owen Halpin, Wyatt Parker, Landon Rhodes, and Grant Wenger to deepen the roster. If ELCO turns its returning experience into more consistency, the Raiders have a chance to make the jump into the league and district postseason conversation.

Lebanon Cedars

LancasterLebanon League

Section 2

Head Coach: Fred Gonzalez – 8th season

Key Returners: Micah Krouse (Sr., P/OF), Aiden Paronish (Sr., UTL), Nyzaiah Rojas (Sr., SS/2B), Diego Serrano (Sr., P/CF/SS), Gyanni Arnt (Jr., 2B), Henne Cortes (Jr., OF), Ryant Rivera (Jr., 3B)

Rising Contributors: Juleus Arnt (So., C), Owen Krouse (So., 3B/1B), Justin Miranda (So., SS), Kaeler Ortiz (So., P/1B), Luis Reyes (So., C)

Key Losses: Noah Brandt, Ben Discuillo, Sebastian Cruz, David Furjanic, Josh Haulman, Zach Leffler, Jairo Olivencia, Josh Perugorria, Rolen Firestone

2025 Record: 7-13, 4-6 in Section 2

Season Outlook

Lebanon will lean on a young roster and a promising sophomore group as it looks to keep building in 2026. The Cedars finished 7-13 while playing in LL Section 2 last spring and remained in the playoff conversation late in the year, but heavy graduation losses have put even more emphasis on development.

Senior Diego Serrano gives Lebanon one of its most important returning pieces. Serrano hit .314 with 16 hits, 15 runs scored, and 11 RBI last season while also going 4-2 on the mound with a 3.27 ERA. His ability to impact the game in multiple spots makes him a key player for the Cedars.

Lebanon also brings back seniors Micah Krouse, Aiden Paronish, and Nyzaiah Rojas, along with juniors Gyanni Arnt, Henne Cortes, and Ryant Rivera. That group will be counted on to provide leadership and help steady a roster that is still developing.

A big part of the season will come down to how quickly the younger players settle in. Juleus Arnt, Owen Krouse, Justin Miranda, Kaeler Ortiz, and Luis Reyes all have the chance to earn meaningful varsity roles, and that sophomore class could play a major part in how much Lebanon improves.

The Cedars expect defense to be a strength, while the offense continues to develop over the course of the season. Coach Fred Gonzalez has a track record of getting the most out of his roster, and that player development will again be at the center of Lebanon’s season.

Northern Lebanon Vikings

Lancaster-Lebanon League

Section 4

Head Coach: Travis Thome – 4th season

Key Returners: Adrian Gonzalez (Sr., INF/P), Connor Stoltz (Sr., C/UTIL), Andrew Via (Sr., INF/P), Christian Anspach (Jr., OF/P), Owen Fahringer (Jr., 2B/3B/SS)

Rising Contributors: Kaden Beamesderfer (Sr., C/UTIL), Aidan Long (Sr., UTIL), Blake Burdick (So., P/INF)

Key Losses: Vincent Battistelli, Brian Bicksler, Riley Messinger

2025 Record: 18-4, 10-0 in Section 4, L-L Section 4 champion, L-L League playoff qualifier, District 3 Class 4A qualifier

Season Outlook

Few local teams enter 2026 with more reason for optimism than Northern Lebanon. The Vikings finished 18-4 last spring, won the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4 championship, and qualified for the District 3 Class 4A playoffs, but they are still looking for a deeper postseason run after back-to-back strong seasons ended earlier than hoped.

Northern Lebanon returns three seniors with significant varsity experience in Adrian Gonzalez, Connor Stoltz, and Andrew Via. Gonzalez gives the Vikings a proven ace after going 9-1 with a 1.77 ERA while also batting .462. Stoltz is back after hitting .478 with 27 RBI and earning Class 4A First Team All-State honors. Via adds another major piece after batting .262 with 11 stolen bases and 15 RBI while posting a 0.00 ERA and 4 saves.

The Vikings also bring back important junior contributors in Christian Anspach and Owen Fahringer. Fahringer hit .349 with 16 RBI and earned First Team Section 4 honors, while Anspach also earned First Team Section 4 recognition after batting .279.

Northern Lebanon expects added help from Kaden Beamesderfer, Aidan Long, and Blake Burdick. Long is projected to make major contributions on the mound, Beamesderfer is looking for a bigger role in the lineup, and Burdick is another player the Vikings expect to grow into a larger part.

Pitching and defense should again be the backbone, but the offense may determine just how far this team can go. After two straight regular seasons that set up big expectations, Northern Lebanon enters 2026 with a clear goal: change the ending.

Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference

Keystone Division

Head Coach: Justin Hileman – 4th season

Key Returners: Braydon Bown (Sr., P/OF), Logan Kriner (Sr., P/OF), Julian Meley (Sr., 2B/SS), Luke Risser (Sr., P/2B), Aiden Willard (Sr., OF/P), Jesse Willi (Sr., C/3B)

Rising Contributors: Chuck Gnall (Jr., P), Max Woodley (Jr., P), Nolan Bown (So.), Matt Eldridge (So.), Anthony Pinko (So.)

Key Losses: Clint Bricker, Blake Deiter, Alex Dorta, Jack Hathaway, Nate Osteen, Chase Reidmiller, Braedon Sommer, Jonathan Strohecker, Tyler Peck, Owen Zastowny

2025 Record: 23-2, 14-0 in the Keystone Division, Mid-Penn Keystone Division champion, District 3 Class 5A runner-up, PIAA Class 5A quarterfinalist

Season Outlook

Even after graduating ten seniors, Palmyra still looks like a team built to chase championships again. The Cougars went 23-2 last season, rolled through an undefeated regular season to win the Mid-Penn Keystone championship, finished as the District 3 Class 5A runner-up, and reached the state quarterfinals.

The biggest storyline heading into the spring is on the mound. Braydon Bown is set to miss the season after suffering a season-ending ACL injury during basketball, a tough blow after he went 8-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 49 innings as a junior. Even with that loss, Palmyra still has plenty to work with.

Logan Kriner is expected to lead the pitching staff after showing promise last year with a 3.15 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Luke Risser also returns as another senior arm who can help fill innings and provide flexibility.

Offensively, Aiden Willard gives Palmyra one of the top bats in the area. The University of Delaware commit earned 2025 First Team All-State honors and is expected to draw plenty of attention again this spring. He also threw 5 scoreless innings last season with 6 strikeouts. Senior shortstop Julian Meley adds another major piece after batting .339 with 19 runs scored and 12 RBI, while helping anchor the defense. Both Meley and Willard represented Pennsylvania in the Big 26 game.

Jesse Willi gives the Cougars another experienced senior behind the plate, and Palmyra will also look for Chuck Gnall, Max Woodley, Nolan Bown, Matt Eldridge, and Anthony Pinko to step into bigger roles. The Cougars may look different from last season’s group, but the talent and expectations remain high.