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The 2025 California high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across California.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in their respective CIF Section Championship Game, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview these individual programs across California. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across California. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, podcasts, and much more.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today with a preview of the Novato Hornets.

2025 TEAM OUTLOOK

High School: Novato Hornets
Head Coach: Jason Searle
CIF Section: North Coast Section
Division: Division 2 (2024)
2024 Record (Playoff Finish): 15-12 (Placed 3rd in MCAL, beat Miramonte on the road in round 1 of NCS, lost to San Marin in second round 1-0.)
Key Players Lost: Dari Liuzzi- Relief Pitcher

+ No. Returning Positional Players: 10
+ No. Returning Pitchers: 5
+ Team Strengths: Returning every starter from 2024 and 5 of our starters have two or more years of experience on varsity. 

+ Key Players: 

Seniors:

+ '25 OF Dom Scafani

Juniors:

+ '26 RHP/INF JP Harmon Ole Miss Commit

+ '26 INF/RHP Julian Oliver

+ '26 OF Cohen Garcia

+ '26 OF/LHP Cash Campbell

+ Projected Starters: JP Harmon and Griffin Vorhaus

+ Projected Relievers: Cohen Garcia and Julian Oliver

IMPACT UNDERCLASSMEN 

+ '27 C Gio Castaing

BOTTOM LINE

Experience will be one of the biggest assets for the Hornets in 2025 with every starter off the 2024 squad returning, plus an extensive group of that will be starting their 3rd years on the varsity level. That experience covers the lineup and pitching staff, especially with ace JP Harmon. The key will be how much that experience allows this group to tap into their potential so they can take a step forward in 2025. 

PREP BASEBALL CA STAFF’S TAKE

Heading into the 2025 season, this Novato team is looking to make a statement in all of northern California. The roster brings back a bunch of starters from last years team, along with a stellar pitching staff. JP Harmon (Ole Miss) and Griffin Vorhaus are the projected starting pitchers, both understand how to pitch and have both show good stuff at recent Prep Baseball events. 

'26 OF Cohen Garcia is looking to have a big year as he folows up his Soph year. I'm really intrigued by a couple of two-ways they have, including '26 Julian Oliver who is projected to help on both sides of the baseball. Behind the dish, young phenom Gio Castaing will lead this pitching staff and man down the plate. Lots of talented players on this team, and if you mix that with experience, it can be a recipe for success. 

-Hank LoForte, Northern California Scouting Director

Learn more about California’s 2025 spring season below:

+ Follow Novato on X: @Novato_Baseball
+ Find more team previews on the Prep Baseball California Season Previews homepage

FOLLOW US THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball California on X
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+ Prep Baseball California on Facebook
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MORE 2025 TEAM PREVIEWS

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
Orange County Rising Stars ID	CA	03/02/25	Mater Dei High School
Central California Rising Stars ID	CA	03/23/25	Ventura College
Inland Empire Rising Stars ID	CA	03/30/25	Corona High School
Los Angeles Rising Stars ID	CA	04/27/25	O'Malley Field

MORE PREP BASEBALL NEWS