Posts by Matthew Cohick
Built On Depth – 5 Star Midsouth 2029 Gold Preview
Another brand-new roster enters the fold for 5 Star Midsouth as we take a closer look at the 2029 Gold squad heading into Summer 2026. Once again, the organization owes a tremendous amount of gratitude to the players and families who took the time to attend tryouts and buy into what 5 Star Midsouth is building. The result is a group loaded with talent, versatility, and depth — and the excitement surrounding this roster continues to grow.
The biggest piece to this puzzle will be depth. Similar to the 2029 Black squad, this team will rely heavily on its pitching depth and ability to mix and match arms throughout the summer. During the fall season, the group finished 4-6 overall while earning two bracket play appearances. Despite the record, this team consistently competed against talented opponents and showed the ability to battle in tough games. With the experience gained throughout the fall, along with the valuable varsity innings many of these players earned during the spring high school season, the expectation is for this group to continue trending upward heading into the summer.
A major foundation for the roster begins with Upperman High School teammates Denton Huddleston, Sawyer Brown, and Dawson Mullins. All three gained varsity experience this spring within one of the stronger programs in the state, and those opportunities should pay major dividends throughout the summer.
Huddleston is expected to handle a large portion of the catching duties, but his versatility allows him to impact the game at multiple positions throughout the infield as well. Sawyer Brown was one of the most productive hitters on the roster during the fall season, leading the team in multiple offensive categories while recording six extra-base hits. His offensive presence should create problems for opposing pitchers throughout the summer. Newly added member Dawson Mullins projects as a major innings-eater for the staff, bringing toughness, composure, and the ability to handle big moments on the mound.
The next group of teammates comes from Wilson Central High School with Alex Hitt, Anthony Dunlay, AJ Anderson, and Evan Stewart all expected to contribute heavily.
Alex Hitt is simply a gamer — wherever he is placed on the field, he consistently finds ways to perform at a high level. He projects as one of the glue pieces of the roster. Anthony Dunlay and AJ Anderson both consistently impacted the baseball during the fall season. Dunlay brings valuable mound experience after leading the team in strikeouts during the fall, while Anderson’s versatility, athleticism, and speed allow him to impact games in multiple ways offensively and defensively. Newly added player Evan Stewart is also expected to log major innings on the mound while providing flexibility across the infield.
Cason Stinnett from Gordonsville High School earned varsity innings this spring and brings another layer of athletic versatility to the roster. His offensive upside should add even more depth to an already dangerous lineup.
Levi Hayes, who spent time with the Tennessee Heat, gained valuable varsity-level experience with his homeschool program and projects as another versatile piece capable of contributing anywhere on the field.
Levi Murphy from Greenbrier High School also earned varsity innings during the spring season and brings a live arm that the coaching staff expects to rely on heavily throughout the summer schedule. His physical development has begun taking major strides forward, making him an intriguing arm to follow.
Watertown High School teammates Easton Holt and Carter Mull provide another exciting duo for the roster. Holt, a left-handed hitter with athleticism and size, should provide impact offensively while also contributing defensively. Mull adds valuable depth behind the plate while also projecting to provide meaningful innings on the mound.
Knox Palmer from Liberty Creek High School is another important two-way player expected to play a major role this summer. Palmer was one of the team’s top offensive contributors during the fall season and should continue providing offensive production moving forward.
Abraham Cantu from Mount Juliet High School has continued taking major strides in his development. Defensively, he flashes high-level glove work, and the experience he gained this spring should translate well into the summer season.
Riley Flora from Central Magnet School adds another left-handed arm to what has become a very deep pitching staff. After earning varsity innings this spring, the southpaw is expected to play a major role as another innings-eater throughout the summer.
Leading this group will be Head Coach Colby Howland and Assistant Coach Matt Calamia.
Coach Howland graduated from Oakland High School before pitching collegiately at Martin Methodist College. After his playing career, he shifted his focus into coaching and spent two seasons alongside Coach Chris Parker at Pope John Paul II High School before returning to Oakland High School, where he has served as the pitching coach for the past three seasons.
Coach Calamia played at Cannon County High School and has coached alongside Coach Howland throughout travel baseball over the last two seasons.
Depth, versatility, toughness, and competitiveness define this roster. There is plenty to be excited about as this group continues building chemistry and preparing for a demanding summer schedule against quality competition throughout the Southeast.
Keep moving forward.
Built to Compete — 5 Star Midsouth 2030 Summer Preview
The 2030 squad is revamped and ready to take the next leap forward heading into Summer 2026. While there has been plenty of change within this group, there are also many familiar faces and names that people will continue to hear about moving forward. What makes this team unique is its ability to continue competing until the final inning. This is a roster filled with fighters, and with the additions made this offseason, the expectation is for this group to make waves throughout the summer.
Last summer as a 13U team, the group finished with a 15-11-4 overall record during the 2025 season. Following roster additions and the transition to 14U play in the fall, the team posted a 6-3 record while beginning to establish chemistry and identity with the new group. The fall season provided plenty of positives and momentum as the team wrapped up its final two tournaments of the year.
This summer schedule will provide a major challenge — and that is exactly the goal. The 2030 squad will compete in seven tournaments this summer, including three local events and four out-of-town tournaments against some of the top competition in the country. The mission is simple: compete against the best week in and week out. Not only does that create valuable experience for the players, but it also provides an opportunity to evaluate where this group stands against elite competition nationally.
Events such as the Perfect Game National Elite Championships, the Prep Baseball 14U National Championships, and the Perfect Game 14U WWBA National Championships represent some of the premier tournaments not only in the Southeast, but across the country. By the end of the summer, this group will be battle-tested.
The returning core includes Bryson Pack, Deacon Crocker, Maddux Desposito, and Canon Nichols. Bryson and Deacon both bring speed and athleticism that can impact games offensively and defensively, especially on the bases. Maddux Desposito serves as the floor general behind the plate, and his ability to handle the pitching staff while logging major innings at catcher will be critical to this team’s success. Canon Nichols will also contribute behind the plate, but the organization is especially excited about his ability to impact the baseball offensively this season.
Several newcomers will also play major roles this summer. Bryce Garner returns to the organization and projects to impact the game all over the field. His versatility and athleticism make him a major key for this roster. Vin Bell, who joins the team after spending last season with the 5 Star Gold squad, is expected to anchor much of the work up the middle while continuing to develop as both a leader and player.
On the mound, Foster Catlin brings an imposing 6-foot-4 frame and projects as one of the horses of the pitching staff this summer. A consistent strike-thrower, Catlin gives the team a chance every time he takes the ball. Hayden Johns also returns after helping the group at times last summer. Following a strong middle school season on the mound, he should provide quality innings once again throughout the summer schedule.
Offensively, Ames Thomas is regarded as one of the top bats in the grad class and has already begun putting up numbers that showcase the impact he can make. With a dangerous left-handed swing and a big arm defensively, he should be one of the more exciting players to follow this season.
Max Davis and Reid Fresorger bring additional athleticism to an already athletic roster. Both players are expected to add significant thump to the lineup while also contributing important innings on the mound. Rhys Holder will also provide offensive impact and depth to a lineup that has the potential to produce throughout the order.
The group is led by Head Coach Glenn Desposito and Assistant Coach Patrick Gatlin.
Coach Desposito, a former collegiate pitcher at University of South Alabama, previously coached at powerhouse Pace High School in Florida and helped lead the program to a Class 5A State Championship as the pitching coach. He now enters his 11th year coaching travel baseball and his third season with 5 Star Midsouth.
Coach Gatlin played at Cane Ridge High School and Stewarts Creek High School as both a corner infielder and corner outfielder. He has spent the past four years coaching at Siegel Middle School while also coaching travel baseball for the last six years.
With a competitive schedule, a revamped roster, and a mix of returning talent and impactful newcomers, the 2030 squad should be one of the more exciting groups to follow throughout the summer of 2026.
The Mission Ahead: 5 Star Midsouth 13U Summer Preview
The 13U group at 5 Star Midsouth is a team built on doing the little things the right way and leaning into the continuity they’ve built together over the years. This is a group that has spent a long time playing alongside one another, and that chemistry has continued to show on the field through both success and development.
Last season on the small field, this group finished with a strong 20-12 overall record. They followed that up with an 8-5 campaign during the fall, continuing to show growth as they prepared for the transition to full-time play on the big field this summer.
With a summer schedule featuring five local events and two out-of-town tournaments, this season should provide a great challenge and opportunity for the 13U squad. As they continue adjusting to the larger field and elevated level of competition, their ability to execute the fundamentals and compete consistently will be a major key to their success.
One of the biggest focal points for this group will be their efficiency on the mound. Pitching depth and strike efficiency will be critical throughout the summer schedule. The staff will be led by Bennett Wright, who will be counted on to be a workhorse for the squad this season. Alongside him, Drew Hughes returns after throwing quality innings throughout the middle school season and will play a major role in the pitching staff’s success.
Offensively, Jax Long and Keegan Brooksher will continue to provide thump in the middle of the lineup, while Braylon Vernon adds another impactful bat capable of changing games offensively. Cameron Holland and Isaac Hough bring athleticism that should impact the game both offensively and on the mound, and the organization is looking for both players to take major steps forward this summer.
Newcomers Levi Loy and Andrew Ramsey add versatility across the field and provide valuable depth to the roster. Behind the plate, Miles Planton will continue to provide key innings when needed and help stabilize the pitching staff defensively.
The group is led by Head Coach Andy Hughes and Assistant Coach Brian Dillingham, who bring extensive playing and coaching experience to the dugout.
Coach Hughes was a four-year pitcher at Anderson University and Marietta College before spending two years coaching at Columbus East High School. He now enters his eighth year coaching youth baseball, including his third season with 5 Star Midsouth.
Coach Dillingham, a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, began his collegiate playing career at State College of Florida where he earned First Team All-Conference honors. He later continued his career at MTSU, where he was voted team captain during his senior season with the Blue Raiders. He now enters his third season coaching with 5 Star Midsouth.
With a veteran coaching staff, strong continuity, and a core group that has grown together over the years, the future looks bright for this 13U squad heading into a demanding summer season.