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Less than two months remain before the start of the 2018  high school baseball season. We will spotlight teams from around the state as we near the start of our high school preseason and season coverage.

Team Spotlight: Loyola Blakefield Dons

Head Coach: Mike Kelly (2nd Season)
Classification: Private
Conference: MIAA A
2017 Record: 13-14
2017 Post Season: MIAA A Champions
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 5 

Returners with Post Season Honors
AJ Holcomb

Key Returners (2017 Stats)
3B AJ Holcomb 2018 (.296 BA, .367 OBP, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 16.1 IP, .918 WHIP)
SS/RHP Will Glock 2018 (.247 BA, .286 OBP, 12 RBI, 20 IP, 25K)
RHP Carson Barnes 2018 (26.2 IP, 7 GS, 29 K)
OF Jack Reinhardt 2018 (.260 BA, .403 OBP)
OF Chris McDonald 2018 (.239 BA, .402 OBP)
RHP Matt Wyatt 2019 (34.2 IP, 25K, 2.63 ERA, 1.5WHIP

Key Losses
Jack Glock
Miguel Mateo
Brent Peterson
Hunter Spalt
James Moses

Key Newcomer(s)
Dom Dinoto
David Wright

Outlook
The Dons had a historic run in 2017 with a talented team that took home their first MIAA A championship since 1946 with their victory over Calvert Hall in the championship game. Although the team lost some key pieces to that roster, they do return a key core of players in AJ Holcomb, Will Glock, Matt Wyatt, and Carson Barnes. Holcomb has the most dangerous bat in the lineup and should anchor the middle of the order for the Dons. The outfield duo of Jack Reinhardt and Chris McDonald had solid seasons for the Dons, both posting over .400 on-base percentages on the year. If they continue their patience at the plate and are able to improve on their batting averages it could be two special season that will go a long way for the Dons. The Dons needed an ace to step forward for the staff last season, and two players stepped up in Barnes (Washington & Lee) and their breakout 2019 Wyatt (Virginia commit). Look for Glock to see a similar role as last year  manning shortstop and getting some innings in. he may see more time on the mound this year to pick up the innings lost from his older brother Jack. Holcomb could also see more time on the mound this year as well. Two bigger questions this year will be consistency on the defensive end and finding two players or better yet, a group of guys to make up for the offense lost from the graduation of Miguel Mateo and Hunter Spalt. Keep an eye out for 2018 OF Patrick Krack and  2020 Dom Dinoto to see increased roles, as well as new faces Sean Kelly, Nate Beal and Danny Sheeler.

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