High school baseball 2026 season preview: Puyallup Vikings
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 Puyallup Vikings 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.
PUYALLUP VIKINGS
Head coach: Sean Taunt, first season
2025 results: 28-1, Class 4A state tournament semifinals
OUTLOOK
It feels strange not seeing Marc Wiese in the Puyallup dugout this spring. He retired at the end of last season after 30 seasons coaching the Vikings and building Puyallup into a state powerhouse in Washington, winning 18 consecutive league titles and a pair of state championships in 2014 and 2017.
“Obviously, it’s gonna be a change this year,” said junior shortstop and UW commit Brayden Landry. “Obviously, he’s been here for a while, but I think we’re still gonna have a great staff this year, a great team and we’re still gonna compete and do what we do and win ball games.”
Sean Taunt replaces Wiese this season. Taunt is a Puyallup grad and played for Wiese from 1998 to 2000, before coaching as an assistant under Wiese from 2002 to 2011. Since 2012, he’s been a coach at Pacific Lutheran University, most recently with the Associate Head Coach title. Returning to his Puyallup roots was too good an opportunity to pass up, he told The News Tribune.
“I love working with the age group, I kind of wanted to give back and teach these kids what it takes after high school and what it’s actually gonna take to get it done and be on the field.
“It’s a big difference between being on a college roster and being an impactful guy that gets on the field all the time. So hopefully I can pass some of that onto them and what’s gonna be important and what matters. It’s been a lot of fun so far.”
Sophomore P/INF Madden Pike, senior OF Noah Benedict, junior C Keagan Soliza and senior P Max Schweyen highlight a talented roster. Wiese or no Wiese, the expectations remain the same.
“The expectation is always to win,” Landry said. “We’re out here to win, compete and win ball games. We have strengths all around. We have a great pitching staff, great defense, great lineup. I feel like we’re gonna come together as a really good team this year, have that bond and really be able to compete.”
KEY PLAYERS
SS Brayden Landry
P/INF Madden Pike
OF Noah Benedict
C Keagan Soliza
P Max Schweyen
SAVE THE DATE
April 7 & 8: at Sumner 4 p.m., vs. Sumner 7 p.m.
April 14 & 5: vs. Curtis 7 p.m., at Curtis 4 p.m.
April 17: at Olympia, 4:30 p.m.
April 30: vs. Kennedy Catholic, 7 p.m.
