“I think Crimson Hill is going to have a pretty good season,” Bennefield said. “He’s grown a little bit, and I think he’ll come across as one of those guys who can really play.”
On the mound, Kole Miller could play a pivotal role. Though still young, Bennefield said Miller is one of the team’s better arms and will be asked to throw meaningful innings.
“We’re gonna need him to throw a lot of innings and a lot of big innings,” Bennefield said.
Other contributors expected to factor into the mix include sophomores Jacob Edwards, Tanner Davis and Dylan Overton, along with freshmen Anterrio Hall, Aidan Smith and Ethan Stone. Joseph Stone and Jayden Williams, both juniors, will also look to provide stability.
If the Bulldogs are to return to postseason contention, they may need to rely on pitching and defense while the offense develops.
Bennefield admitted that the game must “slow down in a hurry” for several players who have had limited varsity at-bats. Montevallo could find itself manufacturing runs through situational hitting, base running and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes rather than relying on power.
“I focus the majority of my scheming on defense and pitching,” Bennefield said. “We are going to have to be a team that manufactures runs.”
With injuries lingering and experience limited, early-season consistency will be critical. Bennefield acknowledged the unpredictability of preseason evaluations, noting that inner-squad games can be misleading.
“Everybody looks great in a cage,” he said. “You don’t really know your strengths until you start playing.”
For a young team with postseason aspirations, success may ultimately come down to work ethic.
The Bulldogs’ older players have expressed a desire to compete for a playoff spot, but Bennefield made it clear that ambition must be matched with daily commitment.
“Everybody wants something, but very few are willing to work hard enough to earn that,” he said. “Success is what they want it to be.”
With a mix of emerging talent and returning leadership, Montevallo enters 2026 still searching for its identity. How quickly the Bulldogs find it could determine whether they are playing meaningful games late in the season — or watching from home once again.