By John Nolan 
Assistant Director of Scouting-Prep Baseball Report VA/DC

Follow @PBRVirginiaDC

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Patriot
Nickname: Pioneers
Class/Division: 6A North
District/Conference: 8/Cedar Run
Head Coach: Sammy Serrano
Twitter Handle: @PatriotHitSquad
2014 Overall Record: 14-6
2014 Post-Season Finish: Lost in 1^st Round of Regional Tournament

Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 2
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4

TOP RETURNERS (Commit)
Jacob Christian, RHP, 2015 (UMBC)
Nate Eikhoff, SS, 2015 (University of Virginia, Ranked #9 in VA and #162 Overall)
Brett Niermeier, OF, 2015
Eric Sloper, 2B, 2015 (Shepherd)
Tanner Heltibridle 1B/RHP, 2016
Grayson Gough, CIF/RHP, 2016

Other Players of Interest for the Pioneers:  Sam Feliciano (3B, 2016), Austin Gerber (RHP/OF, 2016), Jack Howell (RHP, 2016), Brett Lysohir (OF/RHP, 2016), Ryan Sanders (OF, 2016), Addison Walker (OF, 2016), Kyle Deering (C, 2017), Braden Seay (RHP, 2017), Jared Johnson (MIF, 2018), and Brian Rall (C, 2018).

Outlook:
Patriot is coming off of a solid 2014 season which saw them make the 6A Northern Region Tournament before being eliminated in the first round. The 2015 Pioneers again look to have a solid team despite the loss of returning first basemen Tanner Heltibridle (1B/RHP, 2016) to injury. The line-up will be led by Nate Eikhoff (MIF, 2015), Eric Sloper (MIF/RHP, 2015). The rotation is deep and will be led by Jacob Christian (RHP, 2015), Austin Gerber (RHP/OF, 2016), Jack Howell (RHP, 2016), and Braden Seay (RHP, 2017). The Pioneers will be strong defensively and are deep on the mound, if they can find consistent offense outside of Sloper and Eikhoff, Patriot will be competitive in a talented Cedar Run Conference and could be a factor in the 6A North.

CLICK HERE, to see the entire list of 2015 Virginia/DC Team Previews

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Coaches Preseason Questionnaire 

We appreciate all of the help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online.

Virginia/DC Public School Questionnaire
Virginia/DC Private School Questionnaire