2022 WCAC Preview

Bishop Ireton
The Cardinals have a younger core with a big-ticket centerpiece to the lineup in senior third baseman Gavin Brunsman (Swarthmore). Brunsman can also work out of the bullpen with a big-time late inning arm for Ireton. Some youngsters to keep an eye on this spring for the Cardinals include sophomores Jonathan Underly and Aidan O'Brien as well as freshman lefty Austin Dean.

Bishop McNamara
The Mustangs are primed for a very successful season, led by big pieces on both sides of the ball. Division 1 commits Cameron Johnson (LSU), Lee Ellis (South Carolina) and Ckori Jones Jr (UMES) will lead the way on the bump, while Junior righty Ayden Wescott and sophomore righty Eric Griffin will also give first year head coach Raphael Lockett some well added innings. Offensively, the Mustangs are led by one of the most prolific leadoff hitters in the state in Cam Jones Jr (Maryland), with big run producers behind him in Cameron Johnson (LSU), Lee Ellis (South Carolina) and  Eric Griffin. Sophomore catcher David Shieh looks to follow in his older brothers footsteps, Ryan Shieh (Liberty) behind the dish and make an impact in what looks to be a potent and intriguing lineup to watch all Spring long. 

Bishop O'Connell
The Knights pitching staff is built to challenge for a WCAC crown this spring and have arguably the top rotation in the league. A trio of senior righthanders are led by MLB Draft prospect Jack O'Connor (Virginia), with Bobby McDonough (William & Mary) and Carson Mayfield (Cornell) both having the ability to pitch like a top of the rotation arm. Offensively, O'Connor will be the centerpiece of the lineup and provides a lot of power to his bat. The rest of the offense will be younger, but there are some talented players to keep an eye on as the season progresses such as juniors Keegan McGraw, Michael Lavagna, and sophomore Andy Fronczek.

DeMatha Catholic
The Stags, led by head coach Steve Miller come into the 2022 season deep on both sides of the ball. On the bump, coach Miller brings back five highly touted arms in Senior righties Brendan Thomas, Tyson Nercessian (McDaniel), Junior righty Matthew Perlin, and Sophomore standouts John DiMarsico and Tyler Holton. Offensively, catcher and third basemen George Baker (Louisville) highlights a very deep lineup, followed by Cole Carter, Nick Doyle, Ethan Ervin, Josh Galvin, Manny Hall, Jon Hughes, Brody Lindsey, and Charley Magoulick.  

Gonzaga
The Eagles are loaded to bear this spring and are poised to challenge for a WCAC Championship. The offense will be centered on senior shortstop Nick Morabito (Virginia Tech), who will be flanked by juniors Bryson Moore (Virginia) and Marcus LeClair (Virginia). Moore and seniors Henry Hultquist (Davidson) and Noah Potholm (Swarthmore) should anchor a talented group on the mound as well, keep an eye on junior Ethan Van Sice, who could also be a key contributor on the mound as the season progresses. 

Good Counsel
Head coach Tim Park enters his 8th season at the helm of Good Counsel and brings back a slew of talented players on both sides of the ball. On the bump, the Falcons will look to righties Aidan Smith (West Virginia), Timmy Orie (Bentley) and lefties Ben Keefe (Radford) and Jake Plainte to lead the way and give coach Park some well needed innings all Spring long. Offensively, the Falcons will be without senior standout Nick DeLisi (East Carolina) due to injury. Therefore, coach Park will turn to seniors Liam Houghton (Stevens Institute of Technology), Stephen Oneto (Washington College), and Mark Villanueva (Catholic) to provide the thump throughout the lineup. Look for Demetre Georgopoulis, Jackson Inman, and Giancarlo Rodriguez to also add some stability throughout the Falcon lineup. 

Paul VI Catholic
The Panthers will play their first full season at their new facility and campus this spring and have a young team to keep an eye on. A trio of committed sophomore infielders in Jackson Sirois (Virginia), Alex Peltier (East Carolina), and Tyler Rowling (Penn State) highlight a team that also brings back senior Carlos Irizarry (Penn State Harrisburg) to the middle infield and the heart of the order. Sirois and sophomores Ryan Henson and Logan Eisenreich have a chance to develop into impact arms for Paul VI as the season progresses.

St. John’s 
The six-time defending WCAC champs are having to reload this spring after losing a ton to graduation from the Class of 2021, highlighted by Quinn Allen (East Carolina), Casey Gibbs (VCU), Max Simpson (Towson), and DM Jefferson (Notre Dame). Despite those losses, the Cadets have plenty of talent on the roster and are built to win a seventh straight WCAC title. Senior John Gibson (Virginia Tech) will center the lineup along with junior infielder Brayden Martin (Florida State). Keep an eye on sophomore Colin Gibbs (East Carolina), who has a chance to be an impact player this spring and senior AJ Martin (George Mason) is versatile and can move around as needed. On the mound, there is plenty of talented depth with seniors Gibson and Adam Astacio (Eastern Connecticut State) and juniors Rohan Mishra and Ben Thomason as well as others.

St. Mary's Ryken
In 2022, the Knights will be led by seniors Blake Pesante (Flagler), Taylor Alvey (Missouri Valley), and Cole Harkness. Pesante and Alvey will be a solid one-two punch for coach Brian Towers on the bump, and a slew of young players will get an opportunity to gain experience and add some depth behind the two senior righties. Coach Towers will turn to Harkness and Pesante to bring leadership both defensively and at the dish, with some added depth from Junior third basemen Blake Bagley and middle infielder Samuel Canady.