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VISAA DIVISION I

2017 RECAP

Benedictine took home the champtionship with a 7-5 victory over St. Christophers. After a hot start to the season the Cadets had a bit of a slide during the back half of the season, causing concern if they were going to get back and take home the crown. That however was exactly what they did, rolling to the championship taking a 7-3 lead on St. Christopher's and holding on for their second championship this decade and third VISAA title.

Contenders

Benedictine

The defending champions did lose key pieces from the 2017 championship team in Eli Ottinger and Will Simon, But still have plenty of key pieces back to make a run for a back-to-back title run. Heading up the returners are SS Gregory Ryan (Pitt) and OF Callaway Sigler, two of the more exciting players in the Richmond area. Josh Brown (Virginia Wesleyan) should once again be a middle infield duo with Ryan.  Keep an eye out for freshman Jay Woolfolk, an exciting young prospect. On the mound, it will be tough to replace Ottinger and Jake Lingle, but the Cadets do get a boost on the mound in RHP Casey Greene (Coastal Carolina), who was injured all of last season and will now be healthy for the spring. Jack Carpin and Holden Fielder could potentially see a boost in their mound time this spring with Fielder also assuming some catching duties as well.

Paul VI 

The Panthers lost some key players they were expecting to have this spring, but still have enough pieces that they should again be in contention for a VISAA title. Pitching depth should not be one concern for the Panthers with the likes of Thomas Russell (Navy), Carter Spivey (East Carolina) and Jack Weeks (Georgetown). Two-way talent Cortland Lawson should also see time on the mound when he is not patrolling the middle infield. Offense will be the question for the Panthers as outside of Lawson, a lot of the Panther offense graduated or transferred.

Collegiate

A talented young 2017 Collegiate roster now has evolved into a nice blend of experience and talent on hand that could make for a very interesting 2018. Offensively Travis Reifsnider (JMU) will be one of the main cogs in the middle of the lineup. 2020 OF/LHP Trey Boll (Virginia) looks to build off a very impressive freshman year for Collegiate and has a chance for a special season on the offensive end especially. IF Nigel Williams is another impressive talented 2020 who could be primed for a big season. Adding to the young talent is 2019 C/IF Lew Rice. On the mound, Reifsnider will again assume a starting role and 2020 RHP Michael Stewart looks primed for a breakout season on the mound. Stewart started out as a catching prospect but has continued to evolved into a very interesting pitcher and one to keep an eye on this spring. Boll should also see expanded time on the mound this season as well as Will Hutchins.

Norfolk Christian

The Ambassadors should build off their 2017 22-win season and return their top two starters Ty Johnson and Braden Gilbert (Wilson Colleg). Apart from Gilbert and Kyle Edwards, the Norfolk Collegiate pitching staff is primarily composed of youth which bodes well for the future. Offensively Johnson leads the returners as the lefty thrower and hitter had one of the top two way seasons in the Tidewater area and looks to build off that season again. Gage Elliott should also be a big contributor for the Ambassadors.

St. Christopher's

The Saints will be led offensively by Nick Biddison (Va Tech), one of the top hitters in the state. With Biddison will be Maddison Furman (VCU) and Hunter Andrews (Roanoke). The entire pitching staff returns with the exception of Jimmy Starnes, who transferred to IMG Academy (FL). Furman should assume the ace role with Andrews and Patrick Routsis being key arms.

Cape Henry

The Dolphins got a bit older this year though they will have a tough time replacing infielder Hunter Ramirez and his bat from the lineup. IF/OF Matt Balance (Va Tech) will again be a top player for the Dolphins and could be a contender for offensive player of the year this season after hitting .452 last spring. Keep an eye on sophomores Dane Hoggard and Trent Jones, who should build off nice freshman seasons. Aiden Kuhle, Grayson Pearce, and Jacob Colbus make for a deep lineup for the Dolphins. On the mound, RHP Aaron Torres (Shenandoah) looks to be a key starter and take over the ace role this spring. Outside of Torres, the Dophins will need someone else to step into a bigger role in the rotation and the staff as a whole will need to show depth.

Other Schools of Note

Potomac School has was in the mix last season and with key arm Carter Bosch (Georgetown) leading the way and could contend this spring...Norfolk Academy RHP Brendan Kastner should be one to keep an eye on this spring and Landon Porter will be a key contributor for the Bulldogs…

VISAA DIVISION II

 

Last year we saw a Miller School team just continue to get better throughout the season en route to the D-II championship as the Mavericks defeated seventh seeded Atlantic Shores 6-0 behind the arm of Ethan Murray to capture their first championship since 2006.

Contenders

Miller School

Wash, Rinse, Repeat. It looks like the Mavericks are well suited to repeat as champs again in 2018 with a strong core returning from the 2017 championship roster. Offensively they will have to replace key losses in Tanner Morris and Will Wagner, but their two big pieces are C Adam Hackenberg and IF/RHP Ethan Murray. Hackenberg is one of the top power hitters in the state and will be a physical force. Murray put up player of the year type numbers in his junior campaign and could be the front runner in 2018. 2019 Duke commit Jeremy Wagner should again contribute on a two way level once again this season. Jack Marshall, Carrson Atkins, Ethan Chenault  and  Henry Hardie also look to be mainstays in the lineup this season for the Mavericks.  

Atlantic Shores

The Seahawks look primed for another run in 2018 wth key arms returning in Jon Sawyers (Old Dominion) and Reid Celata. Both players are also top offensive performers returning as the Seahawks will need to replace key losses in Austin Stevens, Jared Kercher, and Niahll Doherty. Tanner James and Mitchell Kelly look to build off their successful 2017 campaigns.

Greenbrier Christian

The Gators do have to find players to replace key losses in Andrew Brooks, Conner Clark,  Jason Hartline, Erik Stock, and Don Goodes (Transfer). Offensively look for sophomore sensation Nic Britt (Virginia) to have a big season taking over the reigns full time at shortstop with Stock now gone. Ryland Brown, JT Inskeep and Gavin Younce will be key pieces to the team this year as well as Josh Stevens, Charlie Zimmerman,  and  Chris Harrell. Keep and eye on Logan Croley in the outfield as well as freshman Austin Younce, who has the tools to turn into a special player in the 2021 class. Andrew Castine looks to be a key piece on the pitching staff as this new look Gator squad should looks like they could be in prime condition towards as the season progresses.

Highland

A young Hawks squad could be an interesting team to keep an eye on as the season progresses with plenty of new faces that should mold into a contender come tourney time. RHP Matthew Michel has starter stuff and should develop nicely as he sees more time on the mound. Joe DeBardi looks to be an interesting player who should be a key on the offensive end as well as Dylan Fisher. Luke Burner again will be a mainstay in the lineup and Eddie Gimbel will be a key returner. Keep an eye on 2021 C Garrett Pancione. Besides Michel, 2020 Blake Fisher could be a key arm for the Hawks.

Nansemond Suffolk

The Saints could be an interesting team to keep an eye on with some exciting offensive propsects such as SS Zach Morris, Robby Tew and DJ Minor. On the mound Chase Anselm looks like he could be a key piece as well as big 2019 RHP Nic Psimas who has the potential to turn into a front line type starter.

Steward

Steward  did lose a key arm in 2019 LHP Carson Jones, but still have LHP Logan Ransom and LHP Harrison Clifton two of the top lefties in the state

VISAA DIVISION III

Last Season saw Fuqua, Walsingham Academy, Carlise, and Southampton as the final four in the VISAA Division III tournament. Fuqua defeated Walsingham in a tightly contested game and Southampton took down Carlise in the semi finals only to see Southampton emerge as the Division III champion in a 6-5 victory, marking their third championship in row for the Academy.

CONTENDERS

Southampton

Looking for their fourth championship in a row this 2018, Southampton has earned the recognition as champs and are the current standard in VISAA D-III. This year the Raiders return a strong core back from their 2017 championship team, with Senior Ian Mizelle leading the way. Michael Smith returns and looks to have a greater role on the pitching staff this season. Sam Rose was a big part of the championship team in 2017 and will once again play a big role in 2018.

Fuqua

The Falcons came up just short of their second VISAA D-II championship (2014 was the first). The core of their team returns for 2018 led by Longwood commit SS/P Hunter Gilliam who adds a dynamic bat to their lineup. Christian Adams had a big year for the Falcons in 2017 and don’t be surprised to see the two-way talent improve upon that this junior season. Adams hit well over .300 and looks to take the ace role this year after the graduation of Devin Allen. Colton Copley should build off a very impressive freshman campaign and again be a key figure on the Falcons while playing at the hot corner last year. If the Falcons can get a bit deeper on the pitching staff, this could be their year.

Walsingham Academy

When you look at the Trojan roster you go no further than their big three in 2020 IF Tanner Schobel (Virginia Tech), 2019 IF Zach Stanko (Longwood), and Uncommitted 2019 OF/IF Tredell Blow. Walsingham made it to the semifinals only to get stopped by Fuqua. Now a year older, the Trojans could be in the mix again to make a run for a VISAA championship. Jacob Miller-Bopp more than held his own as an 8^th grader last year and don’t be surprised to see plenty of growth from the young talent. Zach Tomaek and Christian Carter should build off solid 2017 seasons and make for a deep lineup. Jason Covaney should again see plenty of time on the mound as well as the big three who all had double digit innings on the mound with Stanko and Schobel both having over 30 innings.

Carlise

A young Carlisle team that made it to the semifinals should be a stronger team with some of their top players getting a year older. Offensively look for Trey Roberts and Coleman Meadows to have nice years again and lead the offense. William Clark and Tyler Nuckols should be leaders on the mound for Carlise and keep an eye out for 2020 OF/RHP Trey Carter who looks like he could turn into a special ball player.