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Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association "A" (MIAA)

Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers  

2024 Record: 28-5

Rinse and repeat for the Cavaliers in 2024, as Spalding and Coach Palumbo showcased their excellence again and pulled off the 3-peat, defeating Calvert Hall for their third consecutive MIAA "A" Conference title. All eyes will be on the red and black once again in 2025, and the return of top-end talent from a year ago is eye opening to say the least. It's crazy to think, but this Spalding pitching staff may be better than it was a year ago, and that is including the fact that Jake Yeager, one of the most dominating and explosive arms this state has seen in some time has graduated. Senior Nathan Wines (East Carolina) looks to take that next step and fill the title of "ace" for Coach Palumbo's squad, with an embarrassment of rich depth behind him in Peyton Mamula (Maryland), Brayden Robinson (West Virginia), Sam Houchens (Rhode Island) and Arian Vargas (Alabama). Another year of experience and confidence may have this pitching staff looking more dangerous than ever.

Offensively, the Cavaliers continue to replenish their depth, and same with the arms, another year under this fairly young groups belt may pay dividends. Led by Senior Theo Loughlin (Davidson) in the middle of the order, this Cavalier lineup is stacked with a nice mix of power and speed, with the likes of Anthony Badillo, Braeden Martin (East Carolina), Cruz Luna, Houchens, Jack McNally (Marietta), Drew Emrich (Fairmont State), Michael Thompson, and Jacob Ruiz. Almost too many offensive threats with not enough viable playing time, this list above does not include Freshman standout Jason Marll or an "under-the-radar" threat in Junior Noah Vasey. 

In what is a loaded conference as always, it's difficult to not name Archbishop Spalding as your betting favorites to take home the crown once again in 2025. Will there be a team that dethrones the Cavaliers? 

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Archbishop Curley Friars  

2024 Record: 19-13

It will be a new look for the Friars in 2025, as Curley graduates a ton of impact players on both sides of the ball from a year ago. New year, new opportunities for Coach Gaeta's squad that should add an interesting wrinkle to this spring. Senior Owen Shaprow (UMBC) is back and should take the brunt of key innings for Curley on the bump with depth provided by fellow Senior Nathaniel Welkos and Sophomore Braedon Rolland. Offensively, look for Shaprow and Welkos to anchor the lineup with sparks provided by Chase Bandy (West Liberty) and Jake Pruitt, along with some younger talent providing some key at-bats along the way. 

This year should bring plenty of viable playing time on both sides of the ball for some younger talent, and it will be exciting to see how this team grows and develops throughout the spring. 

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Calvert Hall Cardinals  

2024 Record: 20-12

Following a highly competitive championship series loss against Spalding a year ago, Calvert Hall enters the 2025 spring hungrier than ever to finally get over the hump and win the MIAA "A" Championship. All signs point to this being the year, as the Cardinals return a plethora of impact players on both sides of the ball, led by a slew of upperclassmen and exciting young bucks eager to earn key playing time. On the bump, Seniors Nathan Rodriguez (Mount St. Mary's) and Peter Bashore (Saint Joseph's) are back and provide one of the top senior tandem arms in the conference, with depth provided by Sophomore standouts Ryder Sowa and Grayson Ryan. Look for Seniors Jake Dulski and Austin Downs (Ursinus) to take that next step and provide key innings as well, with an up-and-coming Sophomore arm in Hunter Dunst to log innings on the back end. 

Offensively, the Cardinals arguably have the deepest and most talented lineup in the conference, led by Senior bats in Travis Peitz (George Washington), Will Haacke (James Madison), Thomas Pilarski (Gettysburg), Kaden Barmer (Goldey-Beacom), Clark Mileto (Roanoke) and Juniors Luke Kreiner and Ethan Frank. Sophomores Drew Kittelberger, Hunter Dunst and Jake Lindsey will vie for a potential infield opening and provide solid options off the bench. 

This Calvert Hall squad provides a ton of excitement, as they did last year, and a deep run into the MIAA playoffs seem inevitable. Offensively, this lineup, on paper, matches up well against any other team in the conference and the pitching depth coming back is deeper than some may think. Is this the year that Calvert Hall gets over the hump? 

 

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Gilman Greyhounds  

2024 Record: 10-18

It seems like another rebuild year for the Greyhounds in 2025, as younger talent will need to step up and provide key innings on both sodes of the ball. The losses of Danny Leikus and Wyatt Randolph to graduation leaves big shoes to fill and it will be exciting to see a new crop of younger players garnering playing time throughout the spring. 

Look for Juniors Toby Rosenband and Jute Taylor to take the reigns on leading this lineup on the offensive side, with key contributions from Seniors Caleb Lawson and Jake Mohler in the middle of the order. Senior Dylan Buchalter will be a key two-way to keep eyes on for Gilman, as the righty will look to lead the staff and provide a thump in the order.

This year provides a huge opportunity for younger players to get their feet wet in the MIAA, and for players such as Rosenband and Taylor to earn their stripes throughout the conference.