MIAA A Conference Preview: Part 2
March 15, 2022
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March is officially underway, and baseball is hitting the ground running across the Old Line State. With some private schools already underway, we turn our attention to our annual conference and team previews. Today, we will highlight four schools in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) "A" Conference and break down key players to watch throughout the high school season.
John Carroll Patriots
Top Pitchers
Frank Adamski (Jr.) RHP (Coastal Carolina)
Matt Archibald (Sr.) RHP
Christopher Lanzilotta (Jr.) RHP
Ben Pierce (Sr.) LHP (Washington & Jefferson)
Ben Shutt (Soph.) RHP
Will Weiman (Sr.) RHP (Goldey-Beacom)
Top Position Players
Frank Adamski (Jr.) 3B (Coastal Carolina)
Matt Archibald (Sr.) 1B
Matt Bishop (Jr.) OF
Dallas Brooks (Fr.) C (Maryland)
Casey Carpenter (Fr.) CIF
Andrew Murphy (Soph.) C
Will Rhine (Fr.) MIF (Maryland)
Ethan Ruiz (Jr.) SS
Demetri Roros (Sr.) C (Cairn)
Griffin Shirk (Jr.) 1B/OF
Team Breakdown
The Patriots and Coach Darrion Siler come into the 2022 season with a ton of depth and confidence in competing for the MIAA "A" Conference title. On the bump, the Patriots return nearly their entire pitching staff from a year ago, with a nice three-headed monster in Matt Archibald, Ben Pierce (Washington & Jefferson), and Will Weiman (Goldey-Beacom). Junior two-way standout Frank Adamski (Coastal Carolina) should also give Coach Siler some key innings throughout the season, with the likes of Christopher Lanzilotta and Ben Shutt providing some depth throughout.
The most intriguing thing about the Patriots this season will be the emergence of their young Freshmen and how Coach Siler incorporates them in the lineup. Freshmen Dallas Brooks (Maryland), Casey Carpenter and Will Rhine (Maryland) will all compete for starting jobs this season and will give the Patriots some well added depth throughout the lineup. The likes of Adamski, Archibald and Ethan Ruiz look to bring the thump at the top of the lineup, with Griffin Shirk, Matt Bishop and Andrew Murphy providing protection throughout.
Loyola-Blakefield dons
Top Pitchers
Dylan Bryan (Jr.) LHP
Austin Gemmill (Sr.) RHP
Connor Klebrowski (Sr.) RHP
Luke McCullough (Soph.) RHP
Wyatt Mummert (Jr.) LHP
Top Position Players
Josh Bonaparte (Jr.) MIF (Georgetown)
Josh Braxton (Sr.) OF (Mount St. Mary's)
Dylan Bryan (Jr.) OF
Leo Foust (Jr.) OF
Jake Hauk (Soph.) C
Trent Waire (Jr.) SS
Team Breakdown
The Dons will look to their upperclassmen arms to lead the way on the bump with the likes of Seniors Austin Gemmill, Connor Klebrowski, and Juniors Dylan Bryan and Wyatt Mummert. Coach Mike Kelly will look for more consistency out of the rotation in 2022, as another year of experience for these players should bode well for the success the Dons seek this year.
Offensively, the Dons showcase a solid balance of speed and power throughout, led by the likes of Josh Bonaparte (Georgetown), Josh Braxton (Mount St. Mary's), Leo Foust and Trent Waire. Look for Junior two-way Dylan Bryan to bring some fire power this season on both sides for the Dons, with Sophomore Jake Hauk looking to provide some depth throughout the lineup.
Mount saint joseph gaels
Top Pitchers
CaMaury Arrington (Sr.) RHP
Jackson Bauer (Sr.) LHP
Brody Kelm (Jr.) RHP
Shane Mummey (Sr.) RHP
Ripken Reese (Sr.) RHP (Kent State)
Ty Whittaker (Jr.) RHP
Top Position Players
CaMaury Arrington (Sr.) OF
Jack Bahouth (Jr.) C
Landon Cooley (Jr.) 3B
Ripken Reese (Jr.) SS/C (Kent State)
Tanner Vicendese (Sr.) MIF
Zachary Wainio (Sr.) MIF (Lewis)
Team Breakdown
The Gaels look to build off of their success last year with the emergence of Senior Ripken Reese (Kent State) who missed the 2021 season due to injury. On the bump, Coach Phil Kraska returns a nice set of arms in Seniors CaMaury Arrington, Jackson Bauer, Shane Mummey and Juniors Brody Kelm and Ty Whittaker. It will be interesting to see how and if Coach Kraksa utilizes Reese on the bump, but look for Bauer to take the reins of the Ace role in the rotation, as his brother Patrick has graduated and pitching for CCBC Catonsville this year.
Offensively, the Gaels enter the 2022 season with a different look as they lose four high powered offensive threats in graduating Seniors Ethan Grieb (Anne Arundel CC), Josh Lantz (Penn State- Harrisburg), Travis Leatherwood (USMMA), and Michael Sweeney. The return of Ripken Reese (Kent State) from injury will most definitely give the Gaels lineup a huge boost, and look for the likes of Arrington, Jack Bahouth, Landon Cooley, Tanner Vicendese and Zachary Wainio (Lewis) to provide solid depth throughout the lineup.
St. mary's saints
Top Pitchers
Eric Chaney (Sr.) RHP (York)
Damion Kenealy (Sr.) RHP (Polk State CC)
Ryan Merkel (Sr.) RHP
Top Position Players
Rocco Abdinoor (Sr.) MIF (Gettysburg)
Henry Carbone (Soph.) OF
Damion Kenealy (Sr.) INF (Polk State CC)
Jon Madden (Sr.) INF
Team Breakdown
The Saints enter the 2022 season with solid leadership from the likes of two-way standout Damion Kenealy (Polk State CC), Eric Chaney (York), Ryan Merkel, Rocco Abdinoor (Gettysburg), and Jon Madden. The losses of their Ace last season in Luke Bessette (Haverford) and their starting catcher and power hitter Logan Scully (George Mason) hurt, however the Saints will look for their Upperclassmen to take the reigns and leadership this season.
On the bump, Damion Kenealy (Polk State CC) looks to be the Ace of the staff this season, with fellow Seniors Eric Chaney (York) and Ryan Merkel adding depth throughout the rotation.
Offensively, Kenealy will look to bring the thump in the middle of the order, with the likes of Rocco Abdinoor (Gettysburg), Henry Carbone, and Jon Madden adding depth throughout. Look for some younger players in the program to get the opportunity to gain experience this season.