Former Wildcat Leads Milan Bulldogs to TSSAA State Baseball Championship
MILAN, Tenn. – The Milan Bulldogs captured the 2026 TSSAA Class 2A Baseball State Championship on May 22, defeating White House Heritage 3-0 at Middle Tennessee Christian School. The victory ended a 22-year championship drought and secured Milan's first state title since 2004 under the leadership of former Bethel University standout Taylor Paterson.
Championship Performance
Milan took an early lead in the second inning when JP Scott launched a solo home run to put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0. Play was then interrupted by rain and lightning, resulting in a delay of nearly four hours in the bottom of the third inning.
When action resumed, Milan capitalized on the momentum. With a runner on first and two outs, James Carter delivered a clutch double that led to another run scoring on an error, extending the Bulldogs' advantage to 2-0. Milan added an insurance run in the sixth inning to complete the 3-0 victory.
Carter was dominant on the mound, earning his 13th win of the season with a complete-game one-hitter. He struck out nine batters while issuing just two walks in a championship performance.
The Bulldogs finished the season with an impressive 29-10-1 overall record and delivered Milan's eighth state championship appearance in program history. The Bulldogs had previously won the state title in 2004 and finished as state runner-up twice.
A Bethel Connection: Trading One Purple for Another
Paterson, a 2015 graduate of Bethel University and former Wildcat baseball player, has quickly established himself as one of the state's rising coaches. He was named Milan's head coach in 2024 after serving as an assistant in the program and is a proud graduate of Milan High School.
Bethel head baseball coach Rusty Thompson reflected on Paterson's success.
"Taylor was a fine player for us. He was solid defensively and had some pop in his bat. He always had a great attitude and was always game ready. I am really happy for him and his success."
Paterson and his wife, Rebecca (Jobst) Paterson, share strong Bethel ties. Rebecca was a four-year member of the Wildcat volleyball program and currently serves as head volleyball coach at Milan High School. She guided the Lady Bulldogs to a state tournament appearance in 2023.
The couple resides in Milan with their two-year-old son, Andrew.
What Goes Around Comes Around
The championship victory carried added significance for the Paterson family.
Taylor's father, Scott Paterson, was an assistant coach under Donnie Joiner when Milan won the 2004 state championship. Today, Scott serves as an Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance at Bethel University.
Twenty-two years after helping bring a championship to Milan as a coach, Scott watched his son lead the Bulldogs back to the top of Tennessee high school baseball.
Winning for Milan
Following the championship victory, Paterson credited the entire Milan community for the Bulldogs' success.
"I think what I will remember the most, other than this team and everything they accomplished, is the support from the town of Milan. The amount of support from our administration, superintendent, school board, athletic director, parents, and citizens of Milan we had all season leading up to the tournament, all the way through the postseason and to the crowd for the State Championship game. That meant a lot to our guys and our staff because we all have so much pride in Milan. Ultimately, this was for Milan."
Paterson said the team's mindset throughout the season centered on representing their community with pride.
"We told our guys every day that you play for Milan and nothing else matters. You owe it to yourself to be the best version of yourself in front of your family and the people of Milan who are coming to watch. If you put in the work, you will never be nervous or feel added pressure. Instead, you'll have pure confidence in yourself and your team."
For Paterson, the championship represented more than a title—it was the culmination of years of hard work, family tradition, and community pride, bringing the state trophy back home to Milan for the first time since 2004.
The Bethel University Athletic Department congratulates Taylor and the Bulldogs on their state title!!