High school baseball 2026 season preview: Sumner Spartans
The high school baseball season is underway in Washington, and The News Tribune has been making stops across the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices as games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually as they begin league play.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Sumner Spartans this spring.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on several teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
SUMNER SPARTANS
Head coach: Dylan Mclauchlin, second season
2025 results: 18-8, Class 4A state tournament first round
OUTLOOK
There’s a buzz around Sumner’s program this spring. Expectations are sky-high for the Spartans, which have one of the state’s deepest lineups and feature one of the state’s top two-way players in junior Wyatt Plyler.
Plyler, a TNT All-Area selection last spring, hit .470 with 19 RBI and as a pitcher, posted a 2.14 earned run average with 57 strikeouts as a sophomore. Expect even bigger things this year.
“My goal is to be the best player in the state, man,” he said during a windy practice at Sumner on Tuesday afternoon, wearing a ‘Back 2 Back’ Sumner football state championship T-shirt. “I want this team to win a state championship and that’s my only goal.”
Plyler, who said he has been fine-tuning his mechanics during the offseason, is sitting in the low-90s with his fastball velocity.
“Still trending up,” he said. “It’s still cold, hopefully should be up in the warmer weather.”
Other players to watch: P Xander Cypher, INF Drew Wicklander and INF Jake Miller. Bonney Lake transfers Evan Hellner (New Mexico State commit) and Austin Gailushas are expected to make an impact at some point in the season as well.
Spartans coach Dylan Mclauchlin said he expects the entire lineup to contribute.
“Definitely one of the longest lineups I’ve ever coached,” he said. “Really good hitting group, got a really good squad of pitchers.”
Mclauchlin describes his coaching style as “process oriented” and said the Spartans will be active on the basepaths. In his first season last spring, the Spartans stole nearly 100 bases.
“We try to cause chaos as much as possible,” he said.
When they’re not on the baseball field, some of Sumner’s players can be found catching trout on nearby Lake Debra Jane. Right now though, the only thing they’d like to reel in is a 4A state championship trophy.
“We want to win the whole thing,” Plyler said.
KEY PLAYERS
P/OF Wyatt Plyler
2B/P Xander Cypher
SS Drew Wicklander
3B Jake Miller
P/1B Evan Hellner
SAVE THE DATE
April 3: at Olympia, 4 p.m.
April 7 & 8: vs. Puyallup 4 p.m., at Puyallup 7 p.m.
April 21 & 22: vs. Emerald Ridge, at Emerald Ridge, 4 p.m.
