Follow @PBRVirginiaDC
By PBR VA/DC Staff

The 2016 6A Northern Region tournament has a deep assortment of teams that are highlighted by the defending Region and State Champions, James Madison; the 2014 Region Champs and back to back State Runners-up in Chantilly; and the team that took Madison to nine innings in the Regional semifinals last spring, Battlefield.

Chantilly won its second straight Concorde Conference 5 Championship this spring. The Chargers have a typical Kevin Ford team that is built on pitching and sound defense that executes. The Chargers have a one-two punch on the mound of seniors Jared DiCesare (George Mason) and Forrest Wagner (Roanoke). This veteran Chantilly team has been on multiple deep playoff runs and captured the Chargers' first ever Regional Championship in 2014, with the hope of adding the school's first baseball State Championship this spring.

James Madison is not only the 2016 Liberty Conference 6 Champions, but the defending 6A Northern Region champs and the defending 6A State Champions, having won their second State Championship under coach Mark Gjormand last spring. The Warhawks have arguably the best public school lineup in Virginia this year, and it is again led by shortstop and leadoff hitter Pete Nielsen (BYU). The rotation is anchored by seniors Matt Favero (BYU) and Noz Honda. 

Lake Braddock won the Patriot Conference 7 Championship last week by defeating rival West Springfield in the Championship game. The Spartans were the regular season champs and had won the first two meetings between the two teams, proving again that toughest thing to do in baseball is to beat a team three times in a row. The Bruin lineup is anchored in the middle by senior Logan Driscoll (George Mason) and sophomore Jack Darcy. The Bruin rotation is led by seniors Wade Strain (William & Mary) and Andy Shreves.

Battlefield has built off of the momentum it created in the 2015 Regional tournament to carry its 2016 season. The Bobcats won the Cedar Run Conference 8 regular season and tournament championships, going 12-0 against conference opponents. The Bobcats have the best one-two punch on the mound in seniors Jake Agnos (East Carolina) and Keagan McGinnis (Virginia Tech), with plenty of depth to back them up. The Bobcat lineup has produced all spring and his been anchored by junior Tyler Solomon (Vanderbilt), who has been almost impossible to get out lately.

John Nolan
Championship: Battlefield defeats McLean
Dark Horse: Washington & Lee, W & L is a veteran team that doesn’t make mistakes and puts pressure on opposing defenses while also being able to run out two consistent arms who change speeds and attack the zone
Early Upset: West Potomac defeats Chantilly. Jamie Sara (William & Mary) is one of a handful of pitchers in the state that can beat any team, and he is coming off of a one-hit shutout with 17 strikeouts in his last start.
Best Game on Paper: James Madison vs. Battlefield in the semifinals

Jon Kaufman
Championship: Battlefield defeats McLean
Dark Horse: West Springfield
Early Upset: West Potomac defeats Chantilly
Best Game on Paper: James Madison vs. Battlefield in the semifinals

Sammy Serrano
Championship: James Madison defeats Lake Braddock
Dark Horse: West Springfield
Early Upset: West Potomac over Chantilly
Best Game on Paper: James Madison vs. Battlefield in the semifinals


Here is which Conference Champion you thought was most likely to win the Region:

Time to see to see what you think, which #6ANorth Conference Champion is most likely to win the Region Championship?

— PBR Virginia/DC (@PBRVirginiaDC) May 23, 2016