King announces 2027 roster
The next chapter of Pioneer baseball started indoors Friday afternoon.
With heavy rain pounding Warren County throughout the day, Phillip King and his staff shifted tryouts into the indoor facilities - both the WCHS practice field and the one at Patrick Ramsey Field - where more than 40 players packed in to compete for spots on the 2027 roster. Even with the weather creating less-than-ideal conditions, the energy never dipped as players battled through drills while coaches evaluated what could become another strong Pioneer squad.
“All we ask you to do is give it your best,” King told the players during tryouts. “The Pioneer baseball program means a lot to me and to our entire coaching staff. We want to represent it well.”
The Pioneers are hoping to continue the momentum built during a 21-10 season in 2026, one where Warren County opened with 12 straight victories and established itself as one of the Upper Cumberland’s toughest teams outside district play. Replacing the leadership and production of the senior class that graduated won’t be easy, but there’s already a foundation in place.
The senior class entering 2027 is packed with experience and should provide much of the team’s leadership. Ryder Gilispie returns after earning honorable mention all-district recognition during his career while proving he can contribute as both a pitcher and versatile infielder. Preston McAbee developed into one of the team’s most dependable bats late last season, while Miguel Garcia, Braden Whinnery and Brady Norris all return with valuable varsity experience. Daylen Holguin and Seth Barrett round out a senior group that gives the Pioneers maturity throughout the lineup and pitching staff.
The junior class may ultimately determine how high Warren County’s ceiling can rise next spring. Gage Walker already established himself as one of the district’s top young pitchers after earning all-district honors with a 1.79 ERA and 47 strikeouts, while Isaac Smith flashed breakout potential during the postseason and could step into a much larger offensive role. Huck Damon, Connor McCormick and Blake Roskowitz will also compete for innings and opportunities as the coaching staff looks for more contributors to emerge.
Depth could become one of Warren County’s strengths because of a massive sophomore class featuring Baylor Beard, Braylon Burch, Davion Dycus, Hayden Foster, Boone Gannon, Jacob Graves, Hector Naredo, Declan McAbee, Jamison Munoz, Adam Oleksik, Silas Pardo, Easton Pelham and Lincoln West. King and his staff will need several players from that group to take major steps forward if the Pioneers hope to remain among the Upper Cumberland’s top programs.
The freshman class arrives with plenty of intrigue as well. Several players already made names for themselves at WCMS, including Waylon Duggin, who starred for the young Pioneers last season by hitting .400 while throwing a team-high 40 innings and posting a 1.91 ERA. Brant Damon, Ryder Hobbs, Aiden van Vuuren and Jackson Helton also enter the program looking to make early impressions.
Overall, King was very pleased by the turnout and the effort as everybody embarks on the mission for titles next year.
“(It's a) Great group of kids,” said King. “(They) Had to battle through the adversity of the weather but they did a good job.”
Managers Ledger Higgins and Trigg Culwell will also be part of the program next spring.
