2026 NEA Sports Magazine Baseball/Softball Preview | Página 24

Corning enters the 2026 season with one of the most experienced young lineups in the area. Seven of nine starters return from last year’ s team, giving the Corning Bobcats a strong foundation despite the roster’ s youth. With two juniors and a talented sophomore class leading the way, the focus this season will be turning that experience into consistent production. The offense will center around junior first baseman Ty Price, a three-year starter and 2025 All- State selection who hit an impressive. 489 last season. Price will bat in the cleanup spot and provide leadership for a lineup that features several younger players. Junior Brady Russom returns in left field and brings experience to the outfield while providing quality at-bats. Several sophomores who gained valuable varsity time as freshmen will play key roles this season. Jackson Jett, a 2025 All-Conference selection who hit. 333, will see time at third base, first base, and the outfield. Jaggar George returns at shortstop after hitting. 308 last season, while Rex Shourd takes over third base after batting. 295 in a utility role. Bryson Murray moves from designated hitter to a full-time outfield role after hitting. 278 as a freshman. TJ Small returns behind the plate following a strong freshman campaign, and Eli Wright anchors center field with range and strong defensive instincts. Pitching development will determine how far Corning can go this season. Price is expected to take over as the team’ s ace after throwing 20 innings last year while adding velocity and improving his off-speed pitches. Sophomores Shourd and George will move into larger roles in the rotation, while Jett and Wright provide additional depth after gaining experience on the mound last season. Freshmen Lane Lucas and Kaleb Curatolo add depth to the roster, with Lucas competing for infield playing time and Curatolo bringing speed and defensive range to the outfield. Corning’ s biggest strength is the experience its young players already possess from meaningful varsity innings. The challenge will be continued development and leadership after the graduation of two seniors who provided stability last season. If the Bobcats young pitching staff develops consistency, Corning has the potential to build on last year’ s progress.
The Corning Lady Bobcats enter the 2026 season under first-year head coach Brittany Kerley, who hopes to guide the program toward improvement through athleticism, versatility, and energy. While the team is relatively young, Corning believes its roster has the talent and work ethic needed to compete and continue building for the future. Offensively, the Lady Bobcats will rely on several returning players to provide leadership and stability. Kinley Barker is the lone senior on the roster and will play second base while serving as an important leader for the team. Mileah Edwards and Aaliyah McCallister return to the outfield, where their athleticism and defensive range should help anchor the defense. Kylie Smith returns at shortstop and will be a key part of the infield, while Riley Remus provides versatility and could contribute at multiple positions across the field. In the circle, Corning will rely on a group effort after graduating last season’ s primary pitchers. Jolie Cannady, Kaylynn Long, and Kelci Masterson are all expected to share pitching duties as they gain experience at the varsity level. Several freshmen are expected to contribute right away. Abbey Young is a strong athlete who will hold down first base, while Marlie Cissel adds versatility and could play multiple positions on defense. Behind the plate, Molly James will handle catching duties and could develop into one of the area’ s top catchers. For the Lady Bobcats, success this season will depend on how quickly the younger players develop confidence and adjust to varsity competition. With energy, athleticism, and positional flexibility throughout the roster, Corning hopes to build momentum throughout the season.

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