Lexington high school baseball guide: Sayre tops among city’s 2025 contenders
Two of Lexington’s nine high school baseball teams began the season on March 10 as top-25 teams, according to Prep Baseball Report’s preseason rankings. That’s low compared to recent history.
While defending 11th Region champion Lexington Catholic checks in at No. 9, it’s the Sayre Spartans who hold the highest team ranking among the region’s teams at No. 3.
Lexington Catholic features senior catcher Owen Jenkins, a two-time All-City player of the year who is one of the top baseball prospects in the nation. Owens flipped his college commitment from Louisville to Kentucky last year.
But expect Lexington’s seven other teams to make some noise as they wind their way to the postseason, a mere seven weeks away. District tournaments begin May 19.
The city has one new head coach as Lafayette alumnus Kevin Goins takes over for the Generals after the retirement of Chris Langston. Langston led the Generals to two 11th Region titles in 26 seasons and ranks as Lexington’s all-time baseball coaching wins leader with a record of 641-343-2.
Here’s a look at the Lexington baseball landscape in order of the team’s preseason ranking (or order of finish last season for unranked teams), including top players and coaches’ comments.
Stats are from last season. Statewide rankings are according to PrepBaseballReport.com. All comments in quotes are from the coach. This season’s records are through March 30.
Sayre
Last season: 17-16.
Preseason rank: No. 3.
This season’s start: 9-1.
Big hitters: Charlie Slabaugh, CF/LHP, Sr. (5-1, 2.13 ERA, .356 AVG, 3 HR, 37 R, 19 RBI); Robbie Jenkins C/3B, Sr. (.360 AVG, 13 R, 17 RBI); Gary Gibson, RHP/RF, Jr. (.245 AVG, 23 RBI, 27 R, 4 HR, 19 SB); Reed Beatty 1B/3B, Sr. (.235 AVG, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 12 R).
On the bump: Owen Murphy, RHP, Sr. (5-1, 42.2 IP, 2.13 ERA, 52 K); Gibson (1-4, 43 IP, 2.60 ERA, 70 K); Lucas Saatman, RHP/2B, Sr. (3-2, 35 IP, 1.80 ERA, 36 K).
College commits: Murphy, Lincoln Trail; Jaxson Howard, Bellarmine; Charlie Slabaugh, Columbia; Lucas Saatman, Hanover.
Notes: The Spartans had a disappointing 2024 by their standards after claiming the All “A” Classic small-school state championship and their third straight 42nd District title in 2023. Slabaugh, Murphy, Gibson and Howard were a huge part of that 2023 success. Slabaugh helped the football Spartans win the 2024 Class A championship as their leading rusher and tackler.
Coach Kevin Clary says: “I’m very excited about our season. We’ve got a ton of experience back this year. I’m very deep on the mound and we have very high expectations, for sure.”
Lexington Catholic
Last season: 27-12. 43rd District and 11th Region champions. Reached state quarterfinals.
Preseason rank: No. 9.
This season’s start: 5-4.
Big hitters: Owen Jenkins, C/OF, Sr. (.474 AVG, 5 HR, 33 R, 29 RBI, 11 SB); Cody Decker, RHP/3B, Sr. (.306 AVG, 1 HR, 18 R, 18 RBI, 18 SB); Brady Wasik, C/INF, Jr. (.237 AVG, 23 RBI, 10 R).
On the bump: Jack Sams, RHP, Sr. (2023 stats: 4-0, 3 saves, 2.46 ERA, 45 K), Jack Reeves, RHP, Sr. (13.2 IP, 3.59 ERA, 7 K).
College commits: Jenkins, Kentucky; Sams, Kentucky; Decker, Bellarmine.
Notes: Sams missed his junior season with a knee injury but has returned and started 2025 1-1 with a 0.70 ERA and 12 strikeouts. Jenkins ranked among the state’s leaders in average, hits and slugging percentage. The Knights are two-time defending region champions.
Coach Scott Downs says: “We are going to need to pay attention to detail and do the little things to win games. It’s all about pitching, defense and timely hitting. Being positive, and not worrying about making mistakes is going to be a big part of our success.”
Henry Clay
Last season: 25-14. 42nd District champions.
This season’s start: 7-2.
Big hitters: J.T. Ritchie*, INF/RHP, Jr. (.410 AVG, 26 R, 26 RBI, 12 2B, 2 HR); Ian Rone OF/RHP, Sr. (.253 AVG, 26 R, 13 RBI, 2 HR, 16 SB); Kade Hilander*, INF/RHP, Sr. (.247 AVG, 19 R, 21 RBI).
On the bump: Turner Sparks, RHP/INF, Jr. (3-2, 2.40 ERA, 1 save, 23.1 IP, 31 K); Hilander* (3-0, 19.2 IP, 2.85 ERA, 23 K); Ritchie* (7-2, 1.01 ERA, 55.1 IP, 79 K).
College commits: Ian Rone, Catawba.
Notes: *Hilander and Ritchie are Bourbon County transfers. The Blue Devils graduated 12 seniors from last season’s district champs. This will be Henry Clay’s last season on its current field, which is set to be razed this summer as construction begins to replace the school. Its new baseball field, planned for the opposite corner of campus, won’t be ready until 2029.
Coach Jordan Tarrence says: “We have a lot of new faces in the lineup and on the mound. We have a very optimistic outlook on the season, but we know that it will take time for the team to gel and come together. I expect us to continue to improve throughout the season and am excited to compete in an extremely tough district and region.”
Frederick Douglass
Last season: 24-10.
This season’s start: 4-5.
Big hitters: Reece Harbison, SS, Sr. (.408 AVG, 2 HR, 20 R, 25 RBI, 14 SB); Junior Harris, OF/RHP, Sr. (.324 AVG, 1 HR, 23 R, 13 RBI, 28 SB); Clark Tackett, OF/RHP, Sr. (.259 AVG, 11 R, 12 RBI). Calvin Johnson, OF, Sr. (.233 AVG, 30 R, 13 RBI, 27 SB).
On the bump: Martin Vander Plaats, RHP, Jr. (4-4, 2.36 ERA, 50.1 IP, 1 save, 41 K); Clark (2-1, 1.47 ERA, 33.1 IP, 1 save, 27 K); Harris (2-1, 3.00 ERA, 9.1 IP, 5 K).
College commits: Cameron Atkins, Ohio Christian; Calvin Johnson, Eastern Kentucky; Reece Harbison, Western Kentucky.
Notes: Five regular starters return from last season. Junior Braxton Hensley (INF/RHP) is a Bryan Station transfer. Freshman Connor Harris (1B/RHP) is the younger brother of Leighton Harris, now at Kentucky. Douglass knocked off No. 9 Lexington Catholic 6-5 on March 24.
Coach Braden Johnson says: “We have an interesting blend of returners and new, young, talent. . … Unfortunately, we enter the season dealing with a wide variety of injuries to the pitching staff, with three of our top arms out to start the year. We hope to add throughout the year as our health improves, but will have a next-man-up mentality as we navigate the injuries.”
Tates Creek
Last season: 15-17. 43rd District runner-up.
This season’s start: 1-6.
Big hitters: Cooper Jackson, 2B/LF, Sr. (.330 AVG, 22 R, 14 RBI, 17 SB); DJ Carter, SS, So. (.250 AVG, 1 HR, 13 R, 10 RBI); Jordan Huguely, CF, So. (.356 AVG, 13 R, 4 RBI, 7 SB).
On the bump: Ethan Ratley, RHP, 2B, Sr. (4-2, 4.35 ERA, 37 IP, 21 K); Carter Gilliam, RHP, Sr. (1-1, 6.16 ERA, 25 IP, 32 K).
College commits: Jackson, Centre College.
Notes: The Commodores have 12 sophomores, two juniors and six seniors. The development of the sophomores “is crucial to the future of the program and will be fun to watch for the next three years,” coach Jeff Chapuran said. “DJ Carter, Jordan Huguely, Ben Prendergast, Aaron Hobson, Garrett Biroschik will all be asked to fill big roles as young players.”
Coach Chapuran says: “We have a lot of new faces that are going to be asked to contribute at a high level early in their careers, especially on the mound. It will take time to figure out what we have and what works best.”
Lafayette
Last season: 15-16.
This season’s start: 5-4.
Big hitters: Wyatt Rowe, RHP/OF, Sr. (.269 AVG, 16 R, 17 RBI); Ishmael Thomas, OF Sr., (.286 AVG, 12 SB); Noah Eversole, 1B, Sr. (2024 .246 AVG, 10 R, 5 RBI); Drew Biddle RHP/3B, Sr. (.217 AVG, 11 R, 10 RBI 20 BB).
On the bump: Tyler Washburn RHP, Sr. (3-2, 4.20 ERA, 40 IP, 38 K); Liam Morris-Phelps, LHP, Sr. (1-4, 4.91 ERA, 31.1 IP, 35 K); Biddle (2-1, 2.68 ERA, 15 IP, 16 K); Rowe, (2-1, 3.98 ERA, 19 IP, 13 K).
College commits: Liam Morris-Phelps, Transylvania; Rantz Payton, Eastern Kentucky.
Notes: Coach Kevin Goins won state championships at Lafayette as a player in 1988 and 1989 and was a four-year starter for Indiana University. He returns to Reed Lane after head coaching stints at Franklin County, Carroll County and Scott. The Generals stunned No. 1 Trinity 3-1 on March 19. Unfortunately, senior left-hander Rantz Payton, is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his elbow.
Coach Goins says: “Seniors Liam Morris-Phelps, Tyler Washburn, Drew Biddle and Wyatt Rowe will be counted on to lead our pitching staff. These four accounted for half of the total innings pitched in 2024. Seniors Drew Biddle, Wyatt Rowe, Noah Eversole, Caleb Swift and sophomore Kendon Wilson are hitters that we will lean on to lead our offense.”
Lexington Christian
Last season: 8-20.
This season’s start: 5-5.
Big hitters: Blake Campbell*, OF/RHP, Sr., (.349, 3 HR, 31 R, 25 RBI); Andrew Dixon, LHP/OF, Sr, (.282 AVG, 13 R, 13 RBI); Sam Pearson, INF/RHP, So. (.273 AVG, 16 R, 11 RBI, 16 SB).
On the bump: Dixon (2-5, 2.75 ERA, 35.2 IP, 22 K); Campbell* (1-0, 3.42 ERA, 14.1 IP, 14 K); Ben Byers, LHP, Jr. (0-3, 4.55 ERA, 20 IP, 31 K, 1 save).
College commits: Campbell, Air Force; Andrew Dixon, Wabash Valley.
Notes: LCA returns all but one of its regular starters from last season. Campbell* missed most of last year with a shoulder injury. His stats are from his sophomore year. Coach Seth Knight expects Campbell to be a “huge part” of this season.
Coach Knight says: “The pitching and defense should compete well and the offense will only improve with experience and the return of a few key players who will add some pop to the offense. The Eagles are poised to make a strong run in the ever-tough 43rd District.”
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Last season: 13-17.
This season’s start: 4-4.
Big hitters: Nick Griffith, SS, Sr. (.396 AVG, 20 R, 20 RBI, 17 SB); Max Elias, RHP/1B/DH, Sr. (.292 AVG, 23 RBI, 5 R); Tyler Baker, 3B, Sr. (.333 AVG, 11 R, 12 RBI).
On the bump: Carson Quenon, RHP/OF, Jr. (3-5, 4.26 ERA, 44.1 IP, 36 K); Nick Sawyers, RHP/UTIL, Jr. (2-3, 3.57 ERA, 31.1 IP, 25 K, 1 save); Elias (0-3, 6.18 ERA, 17 IP, 12 K, 1 save).
College commits: Nick Griffith, Morehead State.
Notes: Senior left-hander Chris Hunt has credit for two of Dunbar’s wins this season on just 2.1 innings of work.
Coach Zachary Williams says: “We look to take a big stride this season. Doing the little things the right way will be the key for us. Led by a few key seniors and juniors, we look to compete and put pressure on everybody.”
Bryan Station
Last season: 9-17.
This season’s start: 2-2.
Big hitters: Jordan Carter, SS/OF/RHP, Sr. (.344 AVG, 15 R, 17 RBI, 20 BB, 19 SB); Chayavone Robinson, SS, Sr. (.378 AVG, 7 R, 3 RBI in 11 games).
On the bump: Carter (2-3, 1.85 ERA, 90.2 IP, 28 K); Samuel Wilkerson, RHP/3B, Sr. (0-4, 4.91 ERA, 25.2 IP, 18 K).
College commits: Jordan Carter, Frontier Community College.
Notes: Wilkerson is off to a hot start in 2025 with two wins and a 0.50 ERA in 14 innings pitched. Robinson missed 14 games last season after suffering a knee injury, but “could play at the next level with a great senior year.” Newcomer Austin Davis, a junior 2B/C, is a Scott County transfer.
Coach Erik Hagen says: The 2025 team at Bryan Station is the most promising since my start in 2023. We have senior leadership and talented youth coming up. We have depth for the first time in my tenure here. … Our team has a chance to become a competitive player in the district and region.”
Preseason Baseball Top 25
PrepBaseballReport.com published its preseason Prep Baseball KY - Power 25 on its website March 14. Central Kentucky’s 11th Region teams are in bold.
1. Louisville Trinity
2. Lyon County
3. Sayre
4. St. Xavier
5. Pleasure Ridge Park
6. Ballard
7. Somerset
8. University Heights
9. Lexington Catholic
10. Corbin
11. Taylor County
12. Greenwood
13. South Warren
14. Ryle
15. Pikeville
16. Owensboro Catholic
17. Covington Catholic
18. Bowling Green
19. McCracken County
20. LaRue County
21. Whitley County
22. Beechwood
23. George Rogers Clark
24. Madison Central
25. Spencer County
This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 12:19 PM.
