The 2026 UIL baseball state championship games are in full swing at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, where 22 high school teams have gathered to battle for state glory. The atmosphere is electric as fans cheer on their local heroes, and the stakes have never been higher.
Among the contenders, Lake Travis stands out as the only Central Texas program to advance to the final round. The Cavs will face Keller at noon Saturday for the Class 6A Division I title, promising a showdown that could reshape the regional baseball landscape.
Beyond the team narratives, the tournament has become a showcase for elite individual talent. Ten players have been highlighted for their exceptional performances, each bringing a unique skill set that has caught the eye of college scouts and professional evaluators alike.
Rising Stars to Watch
Collier Carroll, a senior left‑handed pitcher from Corpus Christi Calallen, signed with Texas State after a dominant season that featured a sub‑2.00 ERA and 100 strikeouts. His poise on the mound and command of a sharp breaking ball have made him one of the most feared arms in the state.
CJ Hansford of Lake Travis brings a rare blend of pitching, right‑field skill and hitting prowess. The senior’s .415 batting average, coupled with a 1.85 ERA, has positioned him as a cornerstone for both his high school team and the Power 4 program he will join next fall.
Sergio Ibarra anchors the mound for Mission Sharyland, where his complete‑game effort against Kingwood Park showcased his durability and mental toughness. Meanwhile, Cole Koeninger, a top‑100 MLB draft prospect, will head to Tennessee next year after posting a .380 average and 12 home runs.
Lucas Nawrocki from Aledo is headed to LSU, bringing a 2.10 ERA and a reputation for precise control. Isaac Richardson adds football‑honed instincts to Houston Memorial’s third‑base line, while CJ Sampson will continue his career at Texas A&M, where he hopes to blend his pitching and hitting abilities at the next level.
Jaxon Schramm of Montgomery Lake Creek boasts a .374 batting average and a reputation for clutch hitting, and Lucas Smith of Lovejoy impressed in the Class 5A Division II semifinals with a game‑winning RBI single. Rounding out the standouts, Cooper Webb of Lake Travis recorded 127 strikeouts and a 1.04 ERA, cementing his status as one of the nation’s most dominant pitchers.
The commitments of these players to Power 4 programs and their potential draft stock underscore the depth of talent on display. As the championship games progress, the performances of these young athletes will not only shape high school legacies but also influence the next wave of collegiate and professional baseball talent in Texas.