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With the 2019 Maryland High School baseball season just underway and games right around the corner, we begin to close out our complete preseason coverage with a look at every conference throughout that state. We will break down each conference with a preview of teams expected to contend as well as key players from across the league that you won't want to miss play. 

Note: A preseason questionnaire was sent out to all Maryland high school baseball coaches in Mid-January to gain pertinent information for this piece but not all forms were completed and returned. Below is a compilation of information received as well as thoughts from our staff at PBR Maryland.

Players to Watch in the Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference

 

Cory Ashby (Southern-Garrett)
Jackson Bauer (Allegany)
Blake Beal (Fort Hill)
Sam Beeman (Northern-Garrett)
Peyton Carr (Northern-Garrett)
Cody Eyler (Northern-Garrett)
Carsyn King (Northern-Garrett)
Brandon Lucas (Southern-Garrett)
Bryan McKenzie (Mountain Ridge)
Hayden McLaughlin (Southern-Garrett)
Bradie Moore (Northern-Garrett)
Elliott Schilpp (Northern-Garrett)

 

Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference

Teams
Allegany Campers
Fort Hill Sentinels
Mountain Ridge Miners
Northern-Garrett Huskies
Southern-Garrett Rams
*Frankfort (WV)
Hampshire (WV)
Keyser (WV)
Bishop Walsh (EV)

 *Denotes 2018 Division Champion

 

2019 Season Outlook

30th year head coach Phil Carr and the Northern-Garrett Huskies look to be the team to beat in the Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference from Maryland. Fresh off a 15-6 season that ended with a one-run loss (5-4) to eventual 1A State Champion Boonsboro in the West Regional Championship, the Huskies return 7 starters on offense and their entire pitching staff. Led by 2018 All-AMAC 1st teamers Bradie Moore, Peyton Carr, and 2nd teamers Carsyn King and Elliot Schilpp, Coach Carr will look to a handful of others to step up and fill the void left behind by Bryce Jones (.453 AVG, 22 RBI's). 

Offensively the Huskies will be paced by returners Carr (.268 AVG, 18 RBI's), Schilpp (.348 AVG, 17 RBI's), Moore (.358 AVG. 22 RBI's), King (.321 AVG, 15 RBI's), Sam Beeman (.313 AVG, 15 RBI's), Jake Rush (.364 AVG, 16 RBI's) and Ian Tice (.273 AVG, 10 RBI's). Moore (51.1 IP, 6-2 W-L, 34 K's, 2.60 ERA), King (31.1 IP, 2-1-2 W-L-S, 33 K's, 2.70 ERA) and Tice (27.1 IP, 2-2 W-L, 22 K's, 3.89 ERA) will anchor the rotation with Carr, Rush, and Schilpp adding depth and rounding out the staff. Look for newcomers Zach Hallenback, Cody Eyler, and Ian Eggleston to also play a role this year's team. 

Southern-Garrett could be a contender this year with 2018 All-AMAC 1st teamers Hayden McLaughlin (.333 AVG.), Cory Ashby (.415 AVG, 16 RBI's), and 2nd team selection and Garrett College commit Brandon Lucas returning. The Rams will need to fill the loss of Kris Tusing but look poised to compete in the AMAC and 1A West Region. 

Allegany loses Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year Cameron Bratton (UMES), who averaged more than 11 K's per game (86 K's in 53 IP, 6-1 W-L and 1.18 ERA). Bratton also batted .317 for the Campers who will look to 2018 1st Team All-AMAC member, infielder Jackson Bauer (.304 AVG) to lead the way. Keep an eye out for sophomore RHP Grant Cain to be a key member of their staff this year with Bratton gone. 

Mountain Ridge will be looking to replace quite a bit with 2018 All-AMAC 1st teamers Devin DiNicola (4-3 W-L, 2.63 ERA, 55 K's in 40 IP, .283 AVG.), Devin Smith (.460 AVG), and 2nd teamer Brant Hughes all having graduated. The Miners figure to be young in 2019 with junior and 2018 All-AMAC 2nd team selection Bryan McKenzie leading the way. 

Fort Hill returns senior Mount St. Mary's commit Blake Beal for the 2019 season. Beal will be tasked with filling the big void of losing 2018 All-AMAC 1st teamer J.T. Stevenson who batted .400 for the Sentinels a season ago.

 

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