High school baseball 2026 season preview: Stadium Tigers
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.
STADIUM TIGERS
Head coach: Justin Hinkle
2025 results: 5-14
OUTLOOK
Moving up to Class 4A last year was an adjustment for the Tigers. Top to bottom, the league had better parity and tougher competition than 3A.
“I played 3A my sophomore year,” senior Finn Wood said during practice at the all-turf field at Peck Athletic Fields, a Parks Tacoma facility and home field of the Tigers. “Some games were a little bit easier. In 4A, the average of every team is just way better. There’s obviously the super great teams in 4A. Every team is gonna give you a good game.”
Can the Tigers contend against the likes of Kennedy Catholic, Tahoma and others this spring? The hopes of Justin Hinkle’s squad rest on the shoulders of a capable pitching staff, led by RHP Ethan West, LHP Finn Wood and LHP Elliot Hirl.
“Pitching is a plus,” Hinkle said. “We’ve got a few position players we’re still trying to figure out. I feel a lot better this year than I did last year. We’ve just got more older guys to carry over. With the pitching staff, it’s another year knowing what they’re gonna be facing.”
West, a 6-foot-4 pitcher, can overpower batters with his near-90 mile per hour fastball. Center fielder Aiden Peterson and catcher Eli Weir are two of the team’s better hitters. Like Silas, how far the Tigers can go depends on how well the Tigers are able to string hits together through the entirety of the lineup.
“I think it’s better this season than last season,” Peterson said. “I feel like we connect better than last year.”
Wood agreed.
“We’ve been taking better at-bats,” he said. “We look more confident at the plate, and we know we have the ability to play with these teams.”
The season is young, but a postseason berth is on the mind of Stadium’s players.
“I’m hoping to make playoffs,” Wood said. “We should compete in the league, compete with every team, make it a game with every team.”
KEY PLAYERS
RHP Ethan West
LHP/1B Finn Wood
LHP Elliot Hirl
CF Aiden Peterson
C Eli Weir
SAVE THE DATE
April 7 & 8: vs. Kentwood, at Kentwood, 4 p.m.
April 21 & 22: vs. Auburn 4:30 p.m., at Auburn 7 p.m.
March 2: vs. Bellarmine Prep, 1 p.m.
