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Welcome to the 2020 VISAA Division II and III preview. We will give you a brief recap of how the season ended in each division, as well as what to look for in the upcoming season. After that we will highlight the top prospects in each division as well as a short breakdown of the contenders this spring and other teams that could be in the mix to win a championship.

DIVISION II

For the third year in a row, Miller School took home the Division II crown. The Mavericks defeated Highland in the Championship game 10-5 after they jumped out with a big first inning and hung on to win. Highland was in the Championship game after knocking off Greenbrier Christian in the semifinals. Miller was challenged by Steward in the semifinals, trailing 10-1 heading into the fifth before rallying to win 15-12 in a very entertaining game.

The first piece of relevant news this spring is that Miller School has moved up to Division I for baseball, so the three-time defending State Champs will not be in the mix this spring. Greenbrier Christian and Highland were a step ahead of the rest of Division II in 2019, and are poised to be the the two teams most likely to take advantage of Miller's absence. As usual though, there is a ton of depth in Division II, with Steward and Atlantic Shores always in the mix, and watch for Fredericksburg Christian, which will be on the rise after a large influx of talented transfers this offseason.

***This story has been updated to reflect Norfolk Christian staying in Division I for another season***

Top Prospects Division II

Name	School	Class	Position	Commitment
Nic Britt	Greenbrier Christian	2020	SS/RHP	William & Mary
JT Carter	Fredericksburg Christian	2021	C	Gardner-Webb
Harrison Clifton	Steward	2020	LHP	Richmond
Owen DeShazo	Steward	2022	SS/RHP	Boston College
Vincent DiLeonardo	Fredericksburg Christian	2021	OF	Elon
Jackson Gimbel	Highland School	2021	RHP
Christian James	Nansemond-Suffolk	2023	RHP/3B
Tyler Kaltreider	Highland	2021	RHP	VMI
Eli Lambros	Fredericksburg Christian	2021	OF	Virginia Tech
Corbin McCloud	Atlantic Shores	2020	C	Longwood
Ethan Ott	Greenbrier Christian	2021	1B
Garrett Pancione	Highland	2021	C
Sabin Roane	Fredericksburg Christian	2020	SS	Old Dominion
Ed Wagner	Highland	2021	SS/RHP	George Washington
Austin Younce	Greenbrier Christian	2021	C

 

Contenders

 

Fredericksburg Christian

The last 24 months have seen a massive transformation at FCS. A new field is slated to open soon and a slew of transfer have helped the Eagles turn into one of the more talented programs in Division II. They had a moderately successful 2019, earning a State Tournament bid but being unable to advance. Another year of experience for the youngsters on the roster plus the influx of talent will make FCS a championship contender this spring.

The lineup for the Eagles has a chance to be something else. Juniors JT Carter, Vincent DiLeonardo, and Eli Lambros will join senior Joel Tarrh (UNC Pembroke) in forming the core of the lineup. Senior Sabine Roane will supply speed at the top of the order as well as a threat on the bases. That group will also be really strong defensively, with Roane at short and Carter behind the plate, and the speedy Lambros likely in center.

The big question mark for the Eagles this spring will be on the mound. Tarrh has a big arm and should be a factor there with ace potential. Assuming FCS can find some strike-throwers to put on the mound, their defense will make a ton of plays and the pressure their offense will apply will make the Eagles a tough out in 2020 and a team that should advance deep in the Division II playoffs this spring.

 

Greenbrier Christian

2019 saw the Gators put together a strong season, sticking in our Power 25 pretty much from start to finish and reaching the State semifinals before falling to Highland and seeing their season end. There were some losses to graduation, including JT Inskeep (VMI), but this year's Gators bring back the bulk of last year's team and should be stacked again offensively. Nic Britt, 2020 OF Ryland Brown (Louisburg JC), Ethan Ott, Austin Younce, and 2021 MIF James McGrady form the core of the lineup again, with Younce and McGrady setting the table for Britt, Brown, and Ott in the middle of the Greenbrier order. 

The question about Greenbrier entering 2019 was on the mound, and it looks to be again the biggest concern for the Gators this spring. While there is talent, it doesn't have a ton of experience. A trio of 2022 lefties, Joseph Fredericks, Bailey Matella, and Gavin Whitehurst will have a chance to carve out significant roles.

Without question Greenbrier is one of the top teams in Division II this year and will likely be playing at Shepherd Stadium on Championship Weekend. The Gators were the last team to win a title before Miller's run of three straight, winning the championship in 2015 and 2016, and this team is poised to capture the first title of the decade.

 

Highland

Highland continued their slow build over the last five years in 2019, advancing to the State Championship game for the first time before falling to Miller. Last year's team had a stacked offense and while they were young on the mound, they were very deep. Losing Dylan Fisher (Lynchburg), Luke Burner (WV Weslyan), and Joe DeBardi (Mount St. Mary's) will hurt the potency of Highland's offense, but there is still plenty of depth in the lineup and almost all of their innings are back on the mound as their rotation is as deeper than anyone's in Division II.

On the mound, senior ace Blake Fisher (Lynchburg) is back to top a rotation that will also feature senior lefty Adam Dressler (Messiah) and juniors Blake Cuddington, Jackson Gimbel, Tyler Kaltreider, Ed Wagner, and Eric Wilson. That depth of experience gives the Hawks plenty of quality options on the mound, many of whom have big game experience from 2019.

Offensively, despite the departures, there is still plenty to like in the Hawk lineup. Fisher and Cuddington will be back in the middle of the order and junior catcher Garrett Pancione returns after missing 2019 with an injury. Wagner will man shortstop again when not pitching and look for Wilson to provide plenty at the plate as well.

Highland's absurd depth on the mound makes them a favorite to return to Shepherd Stadium for Championship Weekend, and the balance that their offense provides also makes them a favorite to hoist the program's first State Championship trophy.

 

Steward

Steward’s 2019 was ended when they faced off with Miller School in the VISAA Division II semifinals. The Spartans had key departures in Logan Ransom and William Glazebrook (UNC-Pembroke), but will return a solid pitching staff that always features a few lefties that can keep opposing offenses at bay.

Senior left hander Harrison Clifton should lead the way for the Spartans on the mound and will get some help from fellow senior left hander Matt Gaither (CNU). Offensively, Steward has sophomores Owen DeShazo and Andrew Schmeer that should provide come firepower in the lineup and some defensive consistency up the middle of the field. Freshman Michael Shamus returns to third base for the Spartans and can swing it. Steward may have some bumps in the road early, but the Spartans pitching staff will bring them along nicely and look for them to be a force late in the year.

Don’t Count Out

Atlantic Shores

Shores gave Greenbrier a fight in the State quarterfinals in 2019 and are always a scrappy squad that competes. A pair of senior arms in righties Nick Mattfield (Lynchburg) and Eli Sawyers give the Seahawks some veteran experience on the mound. Senior Corbin McCloud will be the centerpiece to the offense as well as anchor the defense.

Nansemond-Suffolk

Nansemond lost some key pieces with the graduations of Zach Morris (VMI) and Ncik Psimas (Virginia Tech). Don't count the Saints out as they have a ton of young talent that could make them dangerous in May as it matures. Sophomores Jameson Spence and Tyree Claxton should step forward and a trio of very talented freshmen two-way players give NSA some pieces to build a future title contender around. How quickly Riley DeCandido, Jase Howell, and Christian James develop into contributors will factor into how quickly the Saints challenge to make a run in the postseason.

DIVISION III

In 2019, Walsingham made it two titles in a row, pulling away from Southampton after the Championship game was tight early to cruise to a 12-2 win. The semifinal doubleheader was highly entertaining, as Walsingham won a back-and-forth game over Fuqua, and Southampton defeating Carlisle in a pitching-dominated 1-0 duel.

2020 looks to be much of the same in Division III, with that group the most likely final four again and Walsingham and Carlisle the on-paper favorites from a pure talent standpoint. That being said, anything goes late in this tournament so don't be surprised to see any of the contenders take home a championship.

Top Prospects Division III

Name	School	Class	Position	Commitment
Cameron Belter	Southampton	2020	1B/LHP	Virginia-Wesleyan
Trey Carter	Carlisle	2020	OF/RHP	Florida State
Addison Clark	Carlisle	2021	1B	VMI
Kaleb Jenkins	Southampton	2021	RHP
Garret Kangas	Carlisle	2021	RHP	Campbell
Lincoln Lubsen	Walsingham	2021	C
Jacob Miller-Bopp	Walsingham	2022	2B/RHP
Tanner Schobel	Walsingham	2020	SS	Virginia Tech

 

Contenders

Carlisle

Coming off of a 2019 that saw them reach the State semifinals, Carlisle again is set to bring back a lot of their key pieces. While they lose two-way player Tyler Nuckols, back is major league draft prospect Trey Carter (Florida State). Carter is one of the most talented players in the Commonwealth, no matter the age, and will be a dynamic piece of the puzzle for Carlisle. Offensively, Carter and Addison Clark (VMI) give Carlisle a dangerous pair of thumpers in the middle of the lineup.

On the mound Carter and Garret Kangas (Campbell) will form a strong top part of the Chief pitching staff. Kangas has heavy deception from the side with his low to mid-80s stuff. Carter is all power with a low 90s fastball. The two of them will give hitters fits and Clark has plenty of arm strength if needed as an option as well.

 

Fuqua

Fuqua reached the semifinals in 2019 and nearly took down Walsingham. They bring back the bulk of their key pieces, led by senior Colton Copley, who will man the middle infield one more time. Seniors Matt and Drew Osbourn will also be keys to the offense along with 2022 Tanner Thomas. Copley will lead the rotation and the Falcons will need to find depth behind him on the mound.

 

Southampton

Southampton made a run at the title in 2019 despite having been gutted by graduation, this year they again lose some key pieces with the departures of Wyatt Jernigan and Josh Smiley. Two-way senior Cameron Belter (Virginia-Wesleyan) returning this spring will be important as he anchors the middle of the lineup along with Jeremy Harmon. Belter and senior Trey Dunlow remain the primary arms but look for junior Kaleb Jenkins to potentially add a third significant arm for the Raiders. 

 

Walsingham

The Trojans are now the two-time defending State champs after they took care of business again in 2019. They did lose some pieces that they will miss to graduation this time around, with the departures of Zach Stanko, Christian Carter, and Nathan Wildasin. Despite all of those losses, Walsingham has plenty in the tank to make a run at a third straight title. Tanner Schobel and Lincoln Lubsen should form the center of another strong offense, with Jacob Miller-Bopp also in the mix there as well. Schobel and Miller-Bopp should also lead the rotation. Look for some talented youngsters to start forcing their way into playing time for Walsingham this spring as sophomores Cody Christman and Donnie Evans as well as freshmen Trey Christman and Justin Smith push for roles.

 

 

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