The 2026 Wharton County Junior College Pioneers baseball team is poised for a competitive season. Kneeling, left to right, are Braelon Richardson (Kingwood), Colby Fowler (Lago Vista), Lucas Tinajero (Corpus Christi), Braylon Mitchell (Houston), Kolin Adams (Schereville, Ind.), Parker Collier (League City), Noah Tart (Franklin), Ryan Gonzales (Rosenberg), Zakory Garcia (Corpus Christi) and Jackson Hairston (Scottsdale, Ariz.). Middle row, left to right, are Landon House (student manager), Mason Ornelas (assistant coach), Zachary Mann (League City), Carson Sydnor (Montgomery), Sam Lee (Montgomery), Dakota Howard (Van Alstyne), Jaxon Lanclos (Houston), Harrison Wall (Mount Pleasant), Jack Kemper (Cypress), Connor Priddy (Lago Vista), Morgan Garrett (Fort Worth), Mason Priest (Cypress), Mason Kinchen (Spring), Gage Dorris (Huntsville), Jaxon Conover (Dripping Springs), Kelby Coburn (assistant coach), and Trey Porras (Athletic Director and Head Coach). Back row, left to right, are Drew McRae (Needville), Bode Allan (Shavano Park), Teddy Herce (Houston), Grant Burns (Pearland), Trevor Ainsworth (Pearland), Marcus Harris (Rosharon), Erich Daigle (Woodlands), Carson Bratcher (Houston) and Jackson Dasher (Missouri City).
WHARTON, TEXAS — With three regional title game appearances in four years, the Wharton County Junior College Pioneers baseball team is poised this season to take the next step.
WCJC Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Trey Porras believes his current roster has the skills and experience necessary to achieve that goal.
“I’m really excited about this group,” Porras said. “They have worked extremely hard. They have the potential to accomplish something special.”
The Pioneers will lean heavily on their pitching staff, comprised of returners and several key transfers. Harrison Wall of Mount Pleasant logged 69.2 innings during his first season at WCJC and is set to once again be the Pioneers’ version of a Friday night starter. Transfers Mason Kinchen from Texas Tech and Trevor Ainsworth from McLennan Community College will add depth to the pitching staff. Kinchen, a lefthander from Grand Oaks High School, features a fastball up to 92 mph, while Ainsworth has reached 98 mph with his fastball.
Other notable players include returners Braylon Mitchell of Houston (he earned Region XIV All-Conference honors last season) and Dakota Howard of Van Alstyne (an Oklahoma University transfer last season), and newcomers Sam Lee and Gage Dorris, transferring from Sam Houston State and Western Texas College, respectively.
The Pioneers, who finished the 2025 season winners of 14 out of their last 20 games, are looking to build on the moment in 2026. WCJC was set to open the season this coming weekend at the Future Stars Series, but that has been cancelled due to the threat of inclement weather.
WCJC’s first game is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, against Midland College in San Antonio. The game will be played at the University of the Incarnate Word. The first home game is set for 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, against Panola College at Corbett Park in Wharton. All home games are free of admission to WCJC employees and students with an ID. General admission is $5.
One highlight of the season is the Bregman Cares Classic, scheduled for Feb. 5 through Feb. 7. WCJC’s first game will be played at Houston Christian University in Houston, while the other two games will be played at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. WCJC plays Ranger College on Thursday, Feb. 5 (at HCU), Howard College on Friday, Feb. 6 (at Constellation Field), and Ranger College again on Saturday, Feb. 7 (at Constellation Field). For the games at Constellation Field, parking and admission is free, but a voucher must be presented in order to enter. Vouchers are available online: https://www.milb.com/sugar-land/events/bregman-cares
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