Baseball 2026 Season Recap: A Season of Culture, Belief, and Legacy

There are seasons that show up in the win column, and then there are seasons that become part of a program’s story.

For Rancho Christian Baseball, this was both.

Under Head Coach Allan Dykstra, the Eagles put together one of the most memorable seasons in program history, capturing attention across the baseball community, building on a growing culture, and leaving behind a legacy that will continue shaping the program for years to come.

“I would say it was fantastic,” Dykstra said when looking back on the season. “I’m very proud of the guys and how they finished out the season.”

From the outside, the season was easy to celebrate. Big wins. A league championship. A long winning streak. Standout performances. A team that jumped all the way into CIF Southern Section Division 2 after previously competing at a much lower division level.

But inside the program, the story started long before the final out.

It started with culture.

When Dykstra first arrived at Rancho Christian, one of his top priorities was building a foundation that could last. Not just a team that could win games for one season, but a program built on accountability, hard work, discipline, preparation, and a shared standard.

“My goal was to build a culture,” Dykstra said. “Obviously, as a coach, you try to have some guardrails and guidelines of what you want it to be, but the goal is always to have a winning culture.”

That culture became visible this season in ways that went beyond the scoreboard. Players showed up together, trained together, dressed with unity, and carried themselves with a sense of shared purpose. Whether they were on the field, in the weight room, on campus, or stepping off the bus before a game, there was a clear sense that this group understood what it meant to represent Rancho Christian Baseball.

“The first step of a team is to look the same,” Dykstra said. “If you can’t look the same and do some things as a team at the fundamental level, at least wearing the same color shorts and shirts, walking as a team, getting out as a team, doing activities together, that sets the foundation to pulling the rope in the right direction when it matters.”

That attention to detail became part of the team’s identity. The Eagles took the weight room seriously. They showed up early. They worked when it was not convenient. Seniors led the way, including a core group that committed to morning lifts before school.

“That’s the core of the success later on down the road,” Dykstra said. “Holding yourself and your teammates accountable for showing up for the times that you don’t want to. You put in that work and it shows on the field.”

And it did show.

After a slightly rocky start, one of the early defining moments came in a loss. Rancho Christian faced Linfield Christian at California Baptist University shortly after pitcher Jake Brande became eligible. Even though the Eagles did not win that game, Dykstra saw something important take root.

“I think it just proved to our team that we’re good,” he said. “Even though there was a loss, I think the good came out of it in terms of, we’re right there, and we have good players, and we’re very close to becoming that level team.”

That belief helped launch what Dykstra recalled as a 19-game winning streak.

Another major turning point came during a spring break tournament in San Diego, where the Eagles were matched up against South Torrance, a team ranked among the top programs in the Southern Section at the time. Rancho Christian had circled the game as a chance to prove, both to others and to themselves, that they belonged at that level.

They won 2-0.

After that, everything seemed to open up.

“Our offense really exploded,” Dykstra said. “Part of that is just believing in yourself and some momentum. At that point, we had swept the tournament and really started believing that we were a good team.”

That belief was carried by a senior-heavy group, many of whom had known each other for years and had grown up playing the game together. The team featured 12 seniors, and nearly nine players are expected to continue playing baseball at the college level.

For Dykstra, that says a lot about the group.

“If you could say that almost all your starting players are going to play beyond high school, that’s a feat for any team,” he said.

Several players emerged as key leaders and standout performers throughout the season.

Senior Cylis Proffitt, a four-year player and Holy Cross commit, became one of the steady voices and examples within the program. Dykstra pointed to Cylis Proffitt’s consistency, work ethic, accountability, and performance as essential to the team’s culture.

“Being at that school for four years, and keeping consistent and really being bought into the program, holds steady,” Dykstra said. “Especially when you have some transfers or new kids coming in, they look to him to guide the light a little bit.”

Cody Horner also emerged as one of the team’s most complete leaders. As a catcher, pitcher, and hitter, Horner’s performance helped elevate him into a captain-type role.

“His performance on defense and pitching and offense vaulted him to that captain role,” Dykstra said. “He’s definitely one that puts all the hard work in, and I was super proud of him.”

Sean Downs put together a remarkable offensive season, becoming one of the most productive hitters in California. Dykstra described his season as a clear example of what can happen when hard work in the weight room translates to results on the field.

“You could definitely visually see the hard work that he put in in the weight room, changing his body, adding muscle and strength,” Dykstra said. “He had a fantastic season.”

Jake Brande’s story was another meaningful part of the season. A transfer who became the team’s number one pitcher and eventually moved into the heart of the lineup, Brande brought both talent and resilience to the Eagles.

“Adding him to our team was a great boost of confidence,” Dykstra said. “He became our number one pitcher and really earned that starting position.”

Dykstra also spoke about the way Rancho Christian’s faith-based environment and team culture helped Brande and others navigate the challenges of a long season. For the Eagles, baseball was important, but it was never the only thing.

“Keeping your faith at the highest level was always a priority on our team,” Dykstra said.

That perspective shaped the way the team approached success, adversity, and identity. Some players will continue playing baseball after high school. For others, this was their final season. But Dykstra wanted each player to understand that the game does not define who they are.

“It doesn’t define you as a person,” he said. “Having core values, being a Christian, being faith-driven, being a good father, a good role model, and really just a good person, those are the standards.”

That bigger picture is part of what made this season special. It was not just about building baseball players. It was about developing young men who take their faith, their schoolwork, their relationships, and their responsibilities seriously.

The season also required flexibility. Injuries and depth challenges forced several players into new positions. One example was Kayson Kobayashi, who moved into a starting second baseman role after previously contributing in other areas. Players were asked to adjust, sacrifice, and do what was best for the team.

“It’s not always what they wanted to do,” Dykstra said. “But they knew that was best for the team.”

That willingness to adapt became another sign of a team that had bought into something bigger than individual roles.

Behind the scenes, the program’s growth was also supported by families, coaches, and a community that helped bring the baseball experience to life. Dykstra spoke with deep gratitude for the parent support that has helped improve the field, support the players, and create a stronger team environment.

From facility improvements and field maintenance to senior banners, meals, drinks, team support, and fundraising, families gave time, resources, and energy to help the program move forward.

“Having all those amenities and support system helps the performance,” Dykstra said.

He also praised his coaching staff for going above and beyond, especially as the program grew across varsity, JV, and middle school levels. With a wide range of player experience, from college-bound seniors to younger players still learning the game, the staff had to teach, develop, encourage, and lead at multiple levels.

“When you see the kids improving and really wanting to show up, it makes you want to show up as well,” Dykstra said.

Perhaps one of the clearest signs of program growth is participation. When Dykstra arrived, the baseball program had around 15 varsity players. This year, with varsity, JV, and two middle school teams, total baseball participation at Rancho Christian approached 50 students.

That growth matters.

“You’re getting more participation in the school and more participation in baseball,” Dykstra said. “You’re getting following, you’re getting support from not only the community but the school, because they see that the program is growing.”

Looking ahead, the Eagles will be young next season after graduating a large senior class. The challenge will be real, but the foundation is stronger than ever. With younger players gaining experience, a JV program continuing to develop talent, and the Rancho Christian Sports Academy helping raise the standard of athletic development across campus, there is a clear sense that the future is bright.

For this year’s seniors, though, the message is simple: they left something behind.

They helped raise the standard. They helped create a culture. They helped prove what Rancho Christian Baseball can become.

“We talked a lot about leaving a legacy behind,” Dykstra said. “Creating that culture that should last beyond them.”

This season will be remembered for wins, records, rankings, and championships. But even more, it will be remembered for the way this team carried itself, the way it grew together, and the way it represented Rancho Christian.

A special season. A special team. A legacy built to last.