Area baseball preview: Experienced Frankfort leads the pack
Last year’s Class AAA runner-up returns last year’s Player of the Year, along with most of its starting lineup, and Frankfort enters the 2026 baseball season as the team to beat. Frankfort (23-9) followed up its 2024 West Virginia AA crown with a second-place finish. Led by seniors Lanson Orndorf, the 2025 Area POY, and Blake Jacobs — both University of Charleston signees — Frankfort has its sights on getting back to the top and repeating as area champion.
Allegany (18-4) is coming off its first state championship in 35 years, capturing the Maryland Class 1A title. The Campers will rely on standout junior pitcher/shortstop Kohen Madden with a new-look cast around him and infielder Cole Ricker. East Hardy (14-15) started 5-14 last year before a Cinderella run resulted in the Class A state title, breaking a 38-year drought.
The Cougars return star infielders Evan and Mason Hamilton and Garrett VanMeter. Fort Hill (11-8) won 10 games last season for the first time in 20 years, and the Sentinels have a host of returners, most notably last year’s area batting champ Bobby Brauer. Northern (18-3), on the flip side, must replace nine seniors from a storied senior class.
The Huskies will rely on ERA champ Landon Yoder and an experienced coaching staff. Here’s what else to expect from the 2026 area baseball season: Allegany Head coach: Jon Irons, 5th season, 74-14 Last year’s record: 18-4 Key losses: INF/P Kane Williams (Morgantown transfer, . 397 AVG, 0.
30 ERA), OF/P Myles Bascelli (. 317 AVG), INF Jackson Resh (. 346 AVG).
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