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Too Early Spring Previews: NOVA Top 5

December 9, 2021
Jason Burton & John Nolan
PBR Virginia/DC

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As we slowly creep towards the end of 2021, the anticipation and excitement for another high school baseball season rises. 
Today we roll out our final installment of the Too Early Spring Preview, as we take a look at the highly anticipated NOVA Too Early Top 5. 

1. Colgan Sharks 

The class of the state and the easy pre-season favorite to win the Class 6 State Championship in 2022. Colgan is the 6A State Runner-Up from 2021 returns with a vengeance this spring. The Sharks are in the discussion with Hanover for best pitching staff in the state (and each has a valid argument), but their offensive firepower is without a doubt the best in the state. Returning virtually every single piece of their offense, minus CJ Faulkenberry (Longwood) and Brody Pickette (Shenandoah), the Colgan Sharks look stronger than ever. The Sharks have since added Virginia Tech commit and elite defender Carter Newman (previously at Woodbridge) to go along with the bats of Brett Renfrow (Virginia Tech), Evan Blanchard (George Mason), Brandon Cassedy (CNU), Jae’dan Carter (Dayton), Matthew Westley (Virginia Tech), and Ryan Kennedy (Virginia Tech). 2023 Marsden Zajac could also contribute to the lineup. Colgan’s workhorse and most dependable arm is George Mason commit Connor Knox and he is accompanied by power right-handers Ryan Kennedy and Brett Renfrow, making this one of the best staffs in the state. Kennedy will generate some draft buzz this spring and Renfrow is also on the short list for best prospects in the 2023 Class in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Freedom (South Riding) Eagles 

Joining the conversation of best pitching staffs in the state is Freedom (South Riding). The Eagles’ arms offer a nice combination of experience, talent, and exciting youth. 2021 Future Games alum Mason Butash (Penn State), Peter Hoenig (CNU), Ryan Morrison (CNU), Ryan Marohn (NC State), Darren Osborne (Richard Bland), and Luke Proehl (Virginia Tech) are some of the headline names, but that is not where their pitching staff ends. Senior Dylan Greentree thrived as the closer last year and could see his role increase this spring as well. The offense should be paced by outfielder and two sport standout Nathan Chen (Randolph-Macon), senior catcher Cal Henderson (Louisburg JC), Tyler Smith (Ferrum), Eli Edelman, and 2024 WVU commit Griffin Burkholder. Freedom is loaded with talent and is a serious contender in NOVA and in the state as they move up to Class 6 in 2022.

3. Riverside Rams 

The Rams have been in the postseason mix every year since the school opened in the fall of 2015. 2021 saw Riverside fall in the Region 5C Championship to Woodgrove in a tight game, only missing out on a State Tournament berth because of the COVID-shrunken State Tournament field last spring. The Rams did knock off previously undefeated Freedom to reach that Region title game, and while they lost their top two arms to graduation in Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman (East Carolina) and Michael Walsh (Maryland), Riverside looks to be loaded with talent again in 2022. On the mound, look for seniors Mac Yarbrough (Norfolk State) and Steven Trone (Old Dominion) to headline a talented group that will also include 2023s Ryan DeMartin (Georgetown) and Kyle Johnson (Duke). Johnson should be a factor in a lineup that will feature senior Stone Lasseigne (Christopher Newport) and slick-fielding junior shortstop Cavan McMeans (College of Charleston).

 

 

 

4. James Madison Warhawks 

With quite possibly the best prep prospect in the state in 2023 Bryce Eldridge (Alabama), the Warhawks will look to answer back from an amazing season and 6A State Championship in 2021. Losing the vast majority of their lineup, including Chicago Cubs 2nd round pick and PBR VA/DC State Player of the Year James Triantos, the Warhawks will have plenty of voids to fill at the plate and on the mound. Eldridge can carry some of that burden, but will need help from bats like Jaden Kritsky and Bannon Brazell. James Madison has become very good at reloading from one year to the next under head coach Pudge Gjormand, look for that to remain true in 2022.

 

 

 

5. Herndon Hornets 

Herndon is coming off of its best season in many years in 2021 and the Hornets return all of their starters and top two arms from that team this spring. 2023 Liam Willson (Wake Forest) tops the lineup with a power/speed combination at the plate. 2022s Jackson Coen (Georgetown) and Kyle Henson will be back in the top spots in the rotation as well as again provide some power in the middle of the lineup. Seniors Hill Naski and Graham Sears (Stevenson) will also be back with Naski returning to shortstop and also potentially contributing on the mound.