The Hornets also have stadium upgrades like new dugouts and a batting practice facility. Softball also has a new head coach for the first time in five years.

The Flour Bluff Hornets’ baseball and softball programs have some momentum going into 2026 and now they have some big time stadium upgrades to go with it.

Both Hornets’ teams have new turf courtesy of the 2025 bond passed by voters. The bond also included money for other stadium upgrades including dugouts and a shared batting practice facility between the two fields. 

Flour Bluff Baseball is coming off its first playoff appearance in nine years. 

An opposing coach in the district described this year’s Hornets team as “a sleeping giant.” Flour Bluff was once a program that was capable of going several rounds deep into the postseason and with some some key returners from last season like Brody Smith and Bradley Terry among others, the Hornets could be that giant that wakes up and creates havoc in region four.

“I’ll say last year is just a starting point,” junior shortstop Brody Smith said. “We made the playoffs, but lost in the first round. That’s not the goal. The goal is to go deep.”

Head Coach Jesse Butler says the installation of the new turf meant his guys couldn’t get a lot of field work done in the fall. But that did mean even more time in the weight room, and Butler thinks ultimately his team will benefit from it.

“The kids understood that with the construction it’s going to bring some great new opportunities for our program,” Butler said. “We were patient and and found new things to do, which was a complete and total commitment to getting stronger.”

Flour Bluff Softball has a new head coach to go along with the upgraded facility.

The Hornets brought in Janay Gonzalez after she spent the last season with district foe Alice. Gonzalez replaces Aspen Auger who left to take the job at Austin Westlake.

Gonzalez looks to build upon the Hornets’ area round appearance with an upper class pitching staff and a power-hitting lineup. The Flour Bluff players say Gonzalez and the new digs have them fired up to try and make a run in 2026.

“We kind of got a new fresh team this year, but our chemistry already is so great,” junior outfielder Kenzie O’Brien said. “Our coach has so much faith in us, so it’s just easy to come out here and do what we do best.”

Thank you to the community of Flour Bluff for welcoming me with open arms and for the bond getting passed,” Gonzalez said. The girls are excited to have the turf for this new season.”