Tyler Legacy Catcher Noah Felton. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Tyler Legacy will begin its second baseball season under head coach V.J. Bunner on Monday when it hosts Nacogdoches at 7 p.m. at Mike Carter Field.

It will be the first time the Red Raiders have had a coach for two straight seasons since James Boxley led the program from 2015-22. Legacy then had four coaches in three seasons as Bunner took over prior to the 2024 campaign.

“We’re really excited,” Bunner said. “It’s been a good fall for us. The buy-in from the kids has been great. We are looking to finish ball games. There were a lot of games we were in control of and played well, but we found ways to lose it at the end. That’s been a big talking point for us, finishing games. It’s started with finishing workouts strong and finishing practice strong, getting better as the practice or workout goes, developing a finishing mentality.”

The Red Raiders went 12-14 last season with four one-run losses.

Legacy returns its ace on the mound in Calvin Rippy, who had a 0.91 ERA last season as a freshman before getting hurt in district play.

“He’s back and healthy,” Bunner said. “After him, we have a lot of unproven guys. But we have some tall, strong guys who will competing out there on the mound.”

Junior Brady Pollard, sophomore Jaden Davis and senior Nolan Hable are other pitchers the Red Raiders expect to rely on heavily in district play.

Hable, a shortstop, is also one of the key guys returning offensively and defensively, along with Cale Zips, Garner McKinney and catcher Noah Felton.

“We will be relying on those four guys to carry the load offensively,” Bunner said. “Garner has been on a tear through the fall and scrimmage season, barreling balls every game. Hable is a staple in our lineup, we’re looking for him to have a good senior year. Cale was an all-district DH last year. He’s a special talent with a beautiful swing. He’s gotten bigger, faster and stronger, so we are looking forward to him taking the next step. Noah is a strong kid who has taken a step in his leadership role behind the plate, and we are looking for him to be more consistent at the plate.”

Simeon Garner, a Texas State football signee, is expected to be a middle of the order bat with power for the Red Raiders.

Junior Dallas Walker is another catcher who will mix in with Felton behind the plate.

Sophomore outfielders and pitchers Payne Hotman and Owen Harrison are also looking to contribute to the Red Raiders’ success this season.

The Red Raiders will host a tournament, along with Whitehouse, Feb. 20-22. They will also play in the Clear Creek ISD Varsity Baseball Tournament and the Integra Classic in Lufkin.

“I did us absolutely no favors in scheduling,” Bunner said. “We are in a tough district, so we need to be ready. We lost quite a few seniors and have a lot of guys playing varsity ball for the first time, so I want to see them compete and prepare for district.

“There are no breaks in our district. You have to show up in 10-6A ready to play. Anybody can beat you. We are excited about it. If you get in the top four in the district, you have a chance to make a run.”

Legacy will begin District 10-6A play by hosting Rockwall-Heath at 4:30 p.m. on March 11.