Family Business: Hernandez Trio Helps Hornets Capture Historic State Title

For more than seven decades, Pueblo County High School waited for its baseball moment.

Pueblo County's John (Left) Nic (Middle) Jeremiah (Right) Hernandez pose with the 4A State Championship Baseball Trophy after they defeated Falcon 9-4 in May 2026.

On May 30, 2026, at the confines of the Air Force Academy, the wait finally ended. 

Behind a complete team effort, the Hornets defeated Falcon High School 9-4 to capture the Colorado Class 4a State Championship–the first ever baseball title in school history. The victory also marked just the third boys team state championship in any sport in Pueblo County history, cementing the 2026 Hornets as one of the most accomplished teams the school has ever produced. 

Championships are built through the contributions of an entire roster. Pueblo County’s historic title run was no different. But woven throughout the Hornets’ unforgettable season was a unique story–one centered around three brothers who had spent a lifetime preparing for the opportunity to chase a championship together. 

Seniors Nic and John Hernandez, along with their younger brother Jeremiah, a sophomore, were all major contributors to Pueblo County’s successful 2026 campaign. Although baseball was ingrained in each of them from a young age, this season marked the first time all three brothers were on the same team. While each contributed in different ways, together they shared an experience that few siblings ever have the opportunity to enjoy–winning a state championship together.

Long before they celebrated together after a called third strike wrapped up a 4-0 state tournament run for the Hornets, the journey began with backyard games, endless competition and three brothers pushing one another to improve every single day.

Nic Hernandez: Setting the Tone

Nic Hernandez was the tone setter for the Hornet’s lineup occupying the leadoff spot and playing second base.

He was the catalyst for a deep lineup–finishing the season with a .435 batting average while leading the team with 40 hits. Nic added nine doubles and 18 Runs Batted In to his senior campaign which earned him First Team All-State honors in Class 4A.

Yet for Nic, as well as his two brothers, statistics weren’t what made the season unforgettable. 

“Sharing the field with my two brothers was pretty cool, especially when you come out on top,” Nic said. “The three of us have never been on the same team before, so it was pretty special to compete every day at practice and finish up my high school career with them.”

Their chemistry on the field started long before they stepped foot on Pueblo County’s campus.

“Growing up together with my two brothers made me the best that I can be,” he said. “Everything was a competition between us, so it pushed me to be better as a player, and it pushed them to be better. That just made us the ballplayers we are today.”

Nic credits both of his brothers for shaping him both on and off the diamond, but also credits a baseball superstition that would turn many heads. 

“I think I have the craziest superstition out of the three of us,” he laughed. “If I have a really good round of batting practice before the game, I think I won’t hit well during the game because I’ve already used up all of my good swings.” 

With the season Nic Hernandez put together, safe to say he saved plenty of ‘good swings.’

John Hernandez: The Reliable Leader

Whether it was delivering timely hits or taking the baseball on the mound, John Hernandez consistently answered the call. 

John was having a remarkable senior season before an injury on the back half of the regular season sidelined him for multiple weeks. He hit for a .300 average for the Hornets and posted a 1.06 Earned Run Average across 26.1 innings of work on the mound–giving Pueblo County another dependable arm throughout the season to help them win the South Central League Title outright and earn the number seven seed heading into the playoffs. 

John was a perfect representation of what the 2026 Pueblo County baseball team was all about–mental toughness. John returned from injury for the team's playoff run and made appearances in both the regional tournament and state tournament for the Hornets. 

For John, finally sharing a varsity season with both brothers made every practice and every game more meaningful.

“Sharing the field with my brothers every day was an unreal experience,”

John said.

“Growing up, Nic and I always played together, but Jeremiah was always on a younger team. All your teammates are your brothers, but when they are blood related, it brings a different feeling.”

Like Nic, John remembers childhood as one long competition.

“We were always playing together outside, whether it was baseball or wiffle-ball. All three of us were competitive and wanted to be better than the other two.”

Those years taught lessons that extended beyond baseball.

“One thing I’ve learned from them is to respect other players and be confident in your ability. If you do that, you can play against anybody and compete with them.”

Jeremiah Hernandez: Carrying the Legacy Forward

As the youngest of three brothers, Jeremiah Hernandez spent years watching his older brothers pave the way.

This season, he proved he belonged right beside them.

The sophomore enjoyed a breakout season, batting .317 with 26 hits, seven doubles and two triples while also emerging as one of Pueblo County’s top pitchers. Jeremiah finished the year with a 5-0 record on the mound across 10 appearances and compiled 36 strikeouts.

When the postseason arrived, he rose to the occasion. He led the Hornets with a .385 batting average during the state tournament and delivered one of the biggest pitching performances of the season in the state semifinals, throwing 6.1 innings while striking out seven batters to help send Pueblo County to the championship round.

When asked about playing with his older brothers Jeremiah said, “Being able to share the field with them was truly an awesome experience. You don’t get too many opportunities to be on the same team with two people you looked up to when you were younger.”

Perhaps the greatest lesson he learned came from watching his older brothers handle adversity. 

“When things go downhill, you have to move on from it and flip the page–keep competing.”

With Nic and John both graduating, Jeremiah now carries both a championship ring and the Hernandez legacy into the future of Pueblo County baseball. 

As the green and gold faithful celebrated Pueblo County’s first baseball state championship, the Hernandez brothers shared something no trophy can fully capture–a once-in-a-lifetime moment together. 

Three brothers.

One championship.

One bond that time nor the record books can ever erase.