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March is right around the corner, and baseball is hitting the ground running across the Old Line State. With private schools already underway, we turn our attention to our annual conference and team previews. Today, we will highlight three schools in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) "A" Conference and break down key players to watch throughout the high school season. 

 

Archbishop Curley Friars 

 

Top Pitchers

Anthony Cerone (Sr.) LHP
Hunter Layhew (Sr.) RHP
Austin Sealing (Sr.) RHP
Carson Eddy (Sr.) RHP
Nathaniel Welkos (Jr.) RHP

 

Top Position Players

Anthony Cerone (Sr.) OF
Kevin Goedeke (Sr.) OF/C
Hunter Layhew (Sr.) INF
Danell Mann (Sr.) OF
Ryan Parks (Sr.) MIF
Derek Poole (Sr.) C
Tony Scott (Sr.) CIF
Austin Sealing (Sr.) MIF

Committed Players

Anthony Cerone (2024) - McDaniel College
Hunter Layhew (2024) - Frostburg State University
Danell Mann (2024) - College of Southern Maryland
Ryan Parks (2024) - Notre Dame of Maryland
Derek Poole (2024) - Harford Community College
Tony Scott (2024) - Wilson College
Austin Sealing (2024) - McDaniel College

 

Team Breakdown 

Coach Joe Gaeta and the Friars turn the page to 2024 with a roster that is loaded with senior led talent on both sides of the ball. The experience from the upperclassmen group should unequivocally bode well for continued success this upcoming spring, giving coach Gaeta a plethora of options to turn to both offensively and on the mound.

The Friars will turn to three senior arms in Anthony Cerone, Hunter Layhew and Austin Sealing to lead the pitching staff after the departures of Dillon Michaloski and Brett Townsley to graduation. A breakout 2023 summer and fall, as well as a strong showing this preseason from Frostburg commit Hunter Layhew should see the physical righty take that next step on the bump this spring. 

At the dish, there is little question pertaining to the depth and talent that coach Gaeta has at his disposal. The departures of Harry Middlebrooks and John Petryszak in the middle of the order is certainly a big hit, however we see breakout years on the horizon from Layhew, Austin Sealing, Derek Poole and Ryan Parks. Look for seniors Danell Mann, Kevin Goedeke and Tony Scott to provide depth and added key at-bats this year, as well as some added depth provided by talented sophomore Jake Pruitt.  

 

 

Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers 

 

Top Pitchers

Peyton Mamula (Jr.) RHP
Brayden Robinson (Jr.) RHP
Arian Vargas (Soph.) RHP
Nathan Wines (Jr.) RHP
Jake Yeager (Sr.) RHP

 

Top Position Players

Drew Emrich (Jr.) C
Sam Houchens (Jr.) OF
Brennan Inscoe (Sr.) MIF
Theo Loughlin (Jr.) 1B
Cruz Luna (Soph.) UTL/C
Braeden Martin (Soph.) MIF
Carson Merritt (Sr.) INF
Jack McNally (Jr.) C
Jacob Ruiz (Jr.) OF
Carver Salazar (Sr.) INF
Dillon Stoltzfus (Jr.) OF
Chase Taylor (Sr.) CIF

Committed Players

Brennan Inscoe (2024) - Virginia Wesleyan
Theo Loughlin (2025) - Davidson College
Peyton Mamula (2025) - University of Maryland
Carson Merritt (2024) - Randolph Macon College
Brayden Robinson (2025) - West Virginia University
Carver Salazar (2024) - UMBC
Chase Taylor (2024) - Messiah College
Nathan Wines (2025) - East Carolina University
Jake Yeager (2024) - University of Maryland

 

Team Breakdown

Coming off back-to-back Conference Championship titles, there is little doubt in mind that the Cavaliers are the early favorites to three-peat in 2024. Coach Joe Palumbo has built a dynasty at Archbishop Spalding and the success attained is certainly impressive. 

Overall, the Cavs pitching staff is one of the deepest and more talented groups that we have seen in some time, even with the departures of standout arms in Parker Thomas, Cody Sharman and Kyle Emmons. Similar to 2023, coach Palumbo has the luxury of handing the ball to arguably the top prep arm in the state once again this year, as Parker Thomas was that ace as a senior in 2023 and Jake Yeager has every intention of filling that role in 2024. Similar to last season, the depth is at the forefront for the Cavs, as juniors Peyton Mamula, Brayden Robinson and Nathan Wines are all top arms in the state and would arguably be the ace of most other staffs in any other program. One to watch for is sophomore standout Arian Vargas, an uber-talented young righty that looks to add depth for Spalding this spring.  

The offense will have a different look this spring, as Thomas, Tyler Smith, Ethan McNally and Sharman have all graduated. Look for the offense to be led by seniors Brennan Inscoe, Carson Merritt and Carver Salazar with added depth by talented juniors in Drew Emrich, Theo Loughlin, Jack McNally, Jacob Ruiz and Dillon Stoltzfus. Keep eyes on sophomore standouts Cruz Luna and Braeden Martin as well, as the two are highly touted young stars in the making at the dish.

 

Calvert Hall Cardinals

 

Top Pitchers

Peter Bashore (Jr.) RHP
Nathan Rodriguez (Jr.) RHP
Ryder Sowa (Fr.) RHP

 

Top Position Players

Kaden Barmer (Jr.) OF
Nick Bournousouzis (Sr.) C
Michael Copenspire (Sr.) 1B
Ethan Frank (Soph.) OF
Will Haacke (Jr.) OF
Travis Peitz (Jr.) MIF
Thomas Pilarski (Jr.) INF

Committed Players

Michael Copenspire (2024) - Rider University
Travis Peitz (2025) - George Washington University
Nathan Rodriguez (2025) - Mount St. Mary's University

 

Team Breakdown

One of the more exciting offenses to keep eyes on in the MIAA is undoubtedly the Cardinals of Calvert Hall. Coach Kerr brings back a slew of talented starters from a year ago, and when you look at the lineup it is tough to find a hole at any position. The loss of one of the more prolific bats in the conference from a year ago, Jake Butler, is a tough one to replace, however we see a plethora of juniors on the cusp of breakout years in 2024. 

Led by a special outfield group in juniors Will Haacke and Kaden Barmer, along with one of the top sophomores in the class in Ethan Frank have the Cardinals in a really good spot. Around the infield, senior power-hitting first baseman Michael Copenspire is back, along with junior infielders Travis Peitz and Thomas Pilarski that round out one of the top offensive infields in the conference. An under-the-radar bat that we believe will have a breakout year is backstop Nick Bournousouzis, who is one of the top power bats when healthy. 

If there are any questions when it comes to Calvert Hall in 2024, it will be the depth on the bump. Juniors Peter Bashore and the ultra-projectable Nathan Rodriguez will need to pitch key innings this spring, as true freshman Ryder Sowa will provide needed depth on the back end.