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On Thursday afternoon, Damascus traveled right down the road and took on Northwest to highlight public school opening day across the Old Line State. In a battle between both teams' top arms, The Jaguars ended opening day in walk-off fashion, grabbing an early upset win over the 21st-ranked Swarmin’ Hornets to start the year on a high note. 

Northwest handed the ball to uncommitted junior Caden Brayman, however, Damascus would get on the board early in the first after a leadoff HBP, followed by a deep line out from senior Bryce Mitchell (Bucknell) to advance the runners, and senior Connor Beall would give the Hornets an early 1-0 with an RBI fielder's choice. Damascus would then continue to extend their lead, as junior Cameron Wilberding would give the Swarmin’ Hornets a 4-0 lead in the fifth with an RBI single. Damascus handed the ball to their ace; senior Bryce Mitchell (Bucknell). Mitchell would shut down the Jaguars offense altogether in the first four innings. However, the Jaguars would finally get to Mitchell in the fifth with a leadoff HBP, followed by two singles to load the bases. The Hornets then turned the ball over to junior William Heyse in a bases-loaded, no-out situation. The Jags would tie the game back up in the fifth thanks to a RBI single from junior Ronny Dinzey, and a two-RBI base knock from senior Anthony Hernandez. Both offenses would then stall until the seventh as Heyse settled in and junior Myles Dickerson came out of the ‘pen for the Jaguars and allowed no damage. Senior Nicholas Torres (Ursinus) would lead off the seventh with a double into right-center, however Dickerson would slam the door and keep the game tied headed to the bottom of the frame. The Jaguars would put runners on first and second with nobody out courtesy of senior Anthony Hernandez’s second hit of the game, and then junior Chase Foster would end the game with a walk-off sacrifice fly to give the Jaguars an opening-day upset win. 

 

Damascus

 

Bryce Mitchell SS / Damascus, MD / 2024 The Bucknell commit took the ball to open the year for the Hornets and got off to a hot start early, shutting down the Jaguars offense with four scoreless innings. However, the Jaguars figured him out in the fifth, as he would exit after four-plus strong innings, allowing two hits on three runs and striking out eight. Mitchell struggled throughout the game on his command when working the inner half, hitting a total of four batters. His fastball was 86-88 on this cold afternoon as he continuously worked the outer half with ease. Two different breakers were shown during this outing: a curveball in the low-70s that had interest below the zone and a slider in the mid-70s that was consistently getting S/M in the zone. Rounded out the arsenal with a changeup that was used often in the low-80s that continuously got him back in the count. As the season progresses, look for Mitchell to have stronger command and be another dominant force within Montgomery County.

Nicholas Torres C / Damascus, MD / 2024 The Ursinus commit and senior showed his leadership out of the cleanup spot yesterday, going 1-2 with a double into deep right-center, along with an HBP earlier in the game. He loved to swing early in the count, continuously making solid contact with deep drives into the outfield. His ability to spray line drives to all fields is strong and very consistent. Behind the dish, the senior had multiple opportunities to nab runners, showing solid accuracy on each throw.

Cameron Wilberding OF / Damascus, MD / 2025 One of our standouts at Preseason All-State MoCo, Wilberding showed maturity at the dish, finishing with one hit and an RBI. He showed some whip in the barrel, showing strong line drive ability to the pull side. At the plate, you see the power potential that should continue to translate in game as strength is added. This is a middle-of-the-order bat that is one to watch over the course of this spring.

William Heyse RHP / Damascus, MD / 2025 Another standout from our Preseason All-State MoCo, Heyse came out of the bullpen for the Hornets in the fifth inning of yesterday's contest. Put into a really tough situation, the uncommitted junior had his work cut out for him as it took a few batters to settle in. Ended up finishing the game for the Swarmin' Hornets, going 2 2/3 innings, allowing five hits on one earned run, while walking one and striking out five. Picked up two strikeouts to end the fifth and set the Jaguars down in the sixth inning. Had solid control on the mound, limiting walks with a three-pitch mix. FB worked low-80s, up to 83, getting continuous swing and miss while filling up the zone. Showed two different breakers, a curveball at 72-74 and a slider at 74-76, that were working away from right-handed hitters. There is a lot to like in a limited outing, it is definitely a name to watch that will see very important innings for the Hornets this spring.

Northwest

Caden Brayman RHP / Northwest, MD / 2025 One of the more intriguing juniors in the state took the ball for the Jaguars and took a while to settle in. He struggled to throw inside in the first two innings, hitting three batters; however, when throwing in the zone, he generated weak contact early. Brayman started to settle in during the second, retiring five straight up until the end of the third and collected two strikeouts in the fourth. Brayman finished throwing four-plus innings, allowing four hits on two earned runs while striking out five. Worked the fastball mainly arm side, inside to right-handers up to 84, settling in at 80-83 in the cold. Mixed the offspeed on occasion in the mid-70s, working down and inside, having better success in the zone. As it becomes warmer over the next few weeks, expect an uptick in velo and look for improved command as we expect him to be a vital rotational piece for the Jaguars this spring.

Myles Dickerson RHP / Northwest, MD / 2025 The uncommitted junior came out of the bullpen for the Jaguars in the fifth and shut down the Hornets offense for the remainder of the contest, allowing one hit through two-plus innings, striking out three as he picked up the win. Just under 65% strikes in his outing, Dickerson mixed in a three-pitch arsenal from a higher slot. Fastball worked all quadrants, mainly on the outer half up to 84 with more 80-82 as he settled in. Struggled to control the curveball when targeting the inner half with velo in the low to mid-60s. A changeup in the mid-70s was added, and it was successful in the zone. Coming off a successful 2023 campaign, expect much of the same in 2024 as the Jaguars’ success will come based off his ability on the mound.

Anthony Hernandez 1B / Northwest, MD / 2024 The uncommitted senior showed up for the Jaguars in the biggest moments throughout this game, finishing 2-2 with a pair of RBIs and two free passes. His first base hit drove in two runs in the fifth inning which tied the game up at four a piece as he roped one over the second baseman's head into right. His second hit set up the walk-off sac fly, as he poked an opposite-field single through the 5-6 hole that put the winning run in scoring position. He comes off a 2023 campaign where he averaged .368, being named first-team 4A West II. Smooth stroke from the left side, showing more of a level bat path with the ability to spray to all fields. A senior to watch in the heart of the Jaguars lineup.