Prep Baseball Report

2019 Private Schools Season Preview


Kyle Campbell
Maryland Scouting Director

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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.

 

MIAA "B" Conference

Boys' Latin
The three-time defending MIAA "B' Conference champions may have their hands full in 2019 with 10 seniors, 6 of which were starters having graduated. 9th year head coach Bill Greenwell and the Lakers will rely heavily on the arm and bat of 2018 All-Conference player Sam Grace. Grace led the last year's championship squad in RBI's, ERA, and Wins. Fellow senior Josh Butler and sophomore Liam Karey will join Grace as anchors of the staff this season with Butler also finding time in the everyday lineup playing the outfield on days he is not pitching. Senior Eric Gazin and sophomore Jack Fishel return as key pieces in the lineup alongside Grace and Butler. Look for newcomers Ian McAslan, Charlie Godin, Joe Dye, Zach Kerfoot, Harry Genth, and J.T. Windle to step up and play key roles for Lakers as they look to defend their title once again.

Friends School of Baltimore
Head Coach Will Marbury and the Quakers will look to compete atop the MIAA "B" Conference in 2019 with seven players returning highlighted by 2018 All-Conference P/INF Zach Raynes. Raynes will be joined by sophomore returner and RHP Luke Rollfinke as anchors of the staff for Coach Marbury. Offensively, Raynes, Rollfinke, seniors Jeremy Weinberg, Sam Haas, Neely McGinty, junior Franklin Wagner, and sophomore Dan Musachio round out the list of everyday returning players in the lineup. Look for newcomers Wyatt Bordick, Will Levy, Jacob Grossman, Patrick Karaska, Lucas Mondaldi-Fisher, Brandon Baylin, Brandon Sklar, and Gabe Hill to add depth to this young team looking to improve upon their 8-12 season from a year ago. 

Gerstell Academy
The Falcons look to be one of the top contenders after finishing third in just their first season in the MIAA "B" Conference in 2018. Senior US Naval Academy commit Reece Early is back to anchor the staff that includes junior transfer Logan Satti, and freshman Tyler Stuck and Jeremiah Torrence. Offensively the Falcons will be paced by senior outfielder Max Friedman who posted the top batting average in the league last season at .529, Delaware St. University commit Chris Hagan, sophomore Graham Vaeth, and freshman Daniel Burns. Look for returner Ethan Murray and newcomers Josh Matthews and Elias Rimel to add depth to the roster for 7th year head coach Cap Poklemba as he looks to replace three key pieces from a year ago in Brennan Sedney, Matthew Nowakowski, and Matthew Szedlock.

Glenelg Country
The Dragons finished as runners-up in the MIAA "B" Conference Tournament in 2018 with a 14-10 overall record and look poised to contend once again for another spot in the championship with a solid core of returners in 2019. Led by All-Conference LHP and University of Towson commit Tyler Russo (7-0 W-L, 1.00 ERA), the Dragons return Marcus Khademi, Cole Sterry, and Marcus Arterburn as other key pieces on the mound for 10th year head coach Chris Garber. Offensively, Russo, Sterry, Khademi, returners Kevin Gamble, Jacob Schiller, and newcomer Brian Hammond will be looked upon as the leaders to get on and drive in runs. Expect this year's team to be just as competitive even with the loss of Alex Beglan and Michael Fagan in the lineup. 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Cougars should be competitive this season with five returners back including All-Conference SS/P Austin Heid. Heid will be joined by Hood College commit Spencer Knotts and Troy Baier as anchors of the staff looking to replace Jake Brack's 5-3 record on the bump last season. Heid, Knotts, fellow senior returners Daryl Jackson, Tyler Trout, and junior Connor Naunton look to lead the offense for 27th year head coach Mike Naunton's squad in 2019. Look for newcomers Alex McCoy, Angel Reyes, and Camaury Arrington to add depth to the lineup and staff. 

 

MIAA "C" Conference

Indian Creek 
The Eagles enter 2019 looking to defend their MIAA "C" Conference title behind the arms of two sensational sophomores. RHP Evan Selmer and University of Maryland commit LHP Travis Garnett will anchor the staff for head coach Matt Selmer with junior Jordan Cann figuring to lead the way on offense. 

 

Interstate Athletic Conference

Bullis School
The Bullis Bulldogs had another stellar season in the Interstate Athletic Conference finishing in the top half of the league in 2018 only to see their season come short in the playoffs, getting eliminated by the hands of league power Georgetown Prep. With another season filled with top competition in the DC area based league, Bullis could be a sneaky pick to capture the league title in 2019, but will have to overtake the two favorites this spring in Georgetown Prep and St. Albans (DC).

The Bulldogs will feature one of the top pitchers in the league once again in 2019 as Henry Pavco-Giaccia will enter his finaly season for the bulldogs once again heading up the staff. The Notre Dame commit is one of the top pitchers in Maryland and one of the most projectable as he heads to the next level. Pavco-Giaccia has a live arm on the mound with an impressive fastball and more in the tank down the road. Sydney Eisen will have to play a big role for the Bulldogs in 2019 as the No. 2 in the rotation which will play an important piece as the IAC play best of two series during the week as part of their regular season schedule. The Bulldogs will have to find a late innings piece as they lost their center fielder and closer from years past in Sammy Senders, who is now a freshman at Richmond. The Bulldogs have a cluster of juniors and youngsters on the pitching staff and will need a few to take the lead to solidify the Bulldogs bullpen and help Pavco-Giaccia and Eisen.

Pavco-Giaccia will man the shortstop position when not pitching and will combine with 2020 Zach Senders to form one of the better middle infield combinations in the conference. Senders will man short when Pavco-Giaccia pitches. Senders is also a top returning offensive threat for the Bulldogs coming off a school record for RBI's in a season in 2018. Johnny Miller will be a key cog in the lineup while manning centerfield along with C Billy Barlia and 3B Zack Baskin will also play key roles for the Bulldog lineup. Keep an eye out for newcomer Darion Crawford who transfered to Bullis from Good Counsel and could  play a big role immediately for the Bulldogs.

Georgetown Prep
The Hoyas look poised to challenge for another IAC title in 2019 with a strong core of returners back to the roster this spring along with exciting young talent ready to step into larger roles this season.

Leading the way on the offensive end are the core of Lucas Donlon, Anthony Fiallo, and TJ Williams. All three will yet again be key cogs to the offense and look to lead the way in 2019. 2019 Travis Rinker should add a big stick in the lineup as well to add depth to the order. Also keep an eye out for youngsters 2021 Tim Nicholson and Cian Sahler, who look like they will add valuable depth to the lineup and see plenty of time this season. On the mound Prep will have a few question marks heading into the season. Back for his season season is LHP Ryan Gleason who should play a key role on the staff now that he is healthy. Sahlershould also help out on the mound as well. Keep an eye on 2022 Brock Rose, who is an exciting young prospect and could potentially add innings as well on the bump. Ryan Pastor adds depth to the staff as well.

Georgetown Prep has a rich tradition of talented baseball and do not be surprised to see a bevy of new faces also play a large role for them this spring. With their depth and exciting youn talent on the radar, the Little Hoyas look as if they could compete for the IAC title yet again and surely will have a bullseye on their back.

 

Washington Catholic Athletic Conference

Bishop McNamara
5th year head coach Anthony Sosnoskie and Bishop McNamara lose just Kamau Moody from last year's team. The Mustangs return 12 players that saw regular playing time in 2018 highlighted by Patrick Henry CC commit Joe Quelch (1st Team All-WCAC), Brandon Baker (2nd Team All-WCAC), Donovan Frayer (2nd Team All-WCAC), Cuyahoga CC commit Nick Miller (HM All-WCAC), Jared Mammano (HM All-WCAC), and North Carolina A&T commit Ian Cawthorne (HM All-WCAC). Look for returners Miles Peterson, Jalen Watson and Josh Wilson to add depth in the lineup and for Jon Rodenhaver and Noah Wiggins to play key roles on the mound. Keep an eye on sophomores Khalil Greene and University of Maryland commit Ryan Shieh to also make an impact in the lineup this year for the Mustangs who look poised to compete in the WCAC South Division alongside Bishop O'Connell, Paul VI, Bishop Ireton, and St. Mary's Ryken.

DeMatha Catholic
DeMatha came up just short from winning the WCAC Championship last season falling 6-4 in twelve innings to St. John's. The Stags are loaded with a ton of talent again and will look to avenge that loss to the Cadets in 2019. Seniors C/1B Clark Burroughs (College of Charleston), 1B Jack Silder (Harford CC), and Chase Crosby (NOVA Southeastern), and INF Khalil Brown return alongside a sensational junior class highlighted by OF/RHP Alex Greene (Virginia), C Jack Bulger (Vanderbilt), and C Blake Badman (Virginia), and OF/LHP Jake Maske. Between the arms and bats mentioned above, DeMatha should be a fun team to watch and follow this season under 12th year head coach Sean O'Connor. Look for them to make a run at snapping St. John’s streak of five consecutive WCAC titles in 2019.

St. Mary's Ryken
9th year head coach Bryan Towers will be tasked with finding arms to replace the 140+ innings left behind by graduating seniors Devin Mattingly, Brandons Samuels, Kristian Marks, and Jake Kost from last year. St. Mary's College commit Ethan Gray and junior Austin Luther look to be likely candidates to see a majority of innings in 2019 with newcomers Blake Pesante, Will Johnson, and Matt Harrer figuring to add depth on the staff. 2nd Team All-WCAC players Austin Watts, and Drew Farrell look to lead the Knights on offense with fellow returners Mike Guy and Jack Grahame also figuring to be key pieces. 

 

Independent 

The Avalon School
16th year head coach Patrick Duffy will lead a very talented Black Knights team as an Independent school this season. Six players return from last year's 18-6 team: Joey Lokos (1st Team All-Old Line Conference), Lafayette College commit Seif Ingram (1st Team All-Old Line Conference), Virginia Wesleyan University commit Kamau Cooley (1st Team All-Old Line Conference), Cameron King (2nd Team All-Old Line Conference), Lawson Tate (HM All-Old Line Conference), and Patrick Knapp (HM All-Old Line Conference). Coach Duffy will look to Cooley and newcomer LHP Ethan Forbes as anchors of the staff with Knapp, King, and Ehi Okojie setting up Ingram on the back end. Look for Lokos to sit in the middle of another talented lineup in 2019 that includes Ingram, King, Cooley, Tate, and talented junior outfielder Devan Barnett.

 

Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference

Salisbury Christian School
The Jaguars will look to build off of their 11-4 2018 campaign even with the loss of nine seniors including team MVP Joe Tolbert and 2-time ESIAC Conference Player of the Year Reagan Ennis. 2nd year head coach Jeff Geary returns five starters, two of which garnered 1st Team All-ESIAC Conference honors in Ethan Votta and Will Kaputa. The sophomore RHP Kaputa will be joined by fellow sophomore and RHP Noah Barrall as anchors of the staff in 2019. Look for Kaputa and Barrall to also make an impact in the lineup offensively for Coach Geary alongside Lane West, Ben Smith, and Votta. Keep an eye on newcomers Cameron Johnson, Braden Anderson, and Tyden Kelly and possible players that could end up making a difference this season for the Jaguars as they look to fend off Delmarva Christian School for the title.  

 

Maryland Independent Athletic Conference

Mount Airy Christian Academy
The back-to-back defending MIAC champions lose 7 seniors (6 starters) from last season's 15-1 team. Most notably, Stephen Rice (.500 AVG, 26 RBI's - 6-0 W-L, 47 K's, 0.53 ERA) and Xavier Marmol (.456 AVG, 11 RBI's - 6-1 W-L, 82 K's, 0.17 ERA)  are both now playing for Salisbury University. It's a challenge that 10th year head coach Matt Brethauer is excited for as they go for the three-peat. RHP Peter Kelly, RHP Ben Tracey, and LHP Nathan Stein will be asked to step up and lead the pitching staff in Rice and Marmol's  absence. Each saw some time last year on the mound but much more will be expected and needed to keep the Lions in ballgames in 2019. Junior catcher Jacob Brethauer will join Stein, Kelly, and Tracey as regulars in the lineup this season with newcomers Brady Martin, Colin Gregowich, and Cody Hitchcock also figuring to find roles. Perry Hall Christian and the Maryland School for the Deaf - Frederick look to be the Lions top competition.

 

 

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