As the season approaches, we will go around the Commonwealth and DC and preview the action to come this spring, our first full season for all teams since 2019. In each preview, we will break down the Top Prospects in each Classification and Teams to Watch.

2021 saw the VISAA mostly return to its normal format aside from a few schools with local restrictions. Since we returned to a normal format, we were given the gift of a Saturday in May State Championship Day from Shepherd Stadium in Colonial Heights. As usual, the day did not disappoint. Walsingham Academy captured the Division III crown with a tight win over Carlisle in the morning game. Other Division III semifinalists were Brunswick and Fuqua.

In the second game of the day, Greenbrier Christian won a back-and-forth game over Highland School to capture the Title, as both programs continued their recent run of excellence. Joining them in reaching the weekend at Shepherd Stadium were other semifinalists Atlantic Shores and Nansemond-Suffolk. 

 

TOP PROSPECTS

Name	High School	Position	Year	Commitment
Brett Beasley	Atlantic Shores Christian	SS	2025
Ashton Bettendorf	Westover Christian	RHP	2023
Charlie Brinkman	Fredericksburg Christian	C/OF	2024
Brennen Card	Highland School	LHP	2024	William & Mary
Collin Carroll	Tidewater Academy	RHP	2023
Trey Christman	Walsingham Academy	SS	2023
Luke Craddock	Highland School	1B	2025
Brandon Dahlman	Greenbrier Christian	RHP	2022
Patrick Dudley	Atlantic Shores Christian	LHP	2025	South Carolina
Jackson Gimbel	Highland School	RHP	2022	James Madison
Jed Howard	Virginia Episcopal	LHP	2023
Christian James	Nansemond-Suffolk Academy	SS/RHP	2023	Virginia
Daniel Love	Fredericksburg Christian	OF	2022
Jacob Miller-Bopp	Walsingham Academy	SS/RHP	2022	Hampden-Sydney
Garrett Pancione	Highland School	C	2022	Radford
George Rizzo	Highland School	OF	2022	George Washington
Jackson Runyon	Nansemond-Suffolk Academy	RHP/OF	2024	Virginia Tech
Bubba Sawyer	Greenbrier Christian	SS	2024	Virginia
Payton Shipman	Isle of Wight Academy	RHP/SS	2023
Austin Younce	Greenbrier Christian	C	2022	VCU

 

 

TEAMS TO WATCH

 

VISAA II

Atlantic Shores Christian
The Seahawks made the trip to Shepherd Stadium in 2021 before falling in the semifinals to the eventual State Champs, Greenbrier. Shores lost some key pieces to graduation, specifically Tyler Wilson (Averett), Justin Reynolds (Hampden-Sydney) and Anthony Wood (Hampden-Sydney), with Reynolds and Wood mixing into the rotation and Reynolds topping an offense that was built around Wilson. The Seahawks do return seniors Jake Pantak and Porter Patrick to the middle of the lineup and there are some very interesting youngsters that should contribute this spring in freshmen Brett Beasley and Patrick Dudley (South Carolina). 

Greenbrier Christian
The defending State Champs lost the leadership and production of James McGrady (Western Carolina) and Ethan Ott (UNC-Pembroke) to graduation. The Gators picked up a big addition from Florida in 2022 RHP Brandon Dahlman, who will join a team that also returns a fully healthy senior leader in Austin Younce (VCU) and 2021 ace Bailey Matela (Old Dominion). Look for Dominic Angrisani to have his role expand as another option along with Dahlman and Matela. In the lineup, senior Gavin Whitehurst (Lincoln Memorial) will move into a bigger role this spring, add him to Younce and the Gator offense will have plenty of pop in the middle of that order this spring. Look for sophomore Bubba Sawyer (Virginia) to add speed and athleticism to the lineup, as well as a reliable defender to help replace McGrady in the middle of the infield.

Highland School
The Hawks continued their rise towards the top of Division II in 2021 and lost quite a bit to graduation from a class of seniors that had been long-time contributors. Gone from the rotation are Ed Wagner (George Washington) and Tyler Kaltreider (VMI) and both exit the lineup along with Blake Cuddington (Virginia Wesleyan) and Eric Wilson (Charleston Southern). Despite those losses, there is plenty of talent on Highland's roster and experience in the lineup. Senior catcher Garrett Pancione (Radford) will be back in the middle of the lineup, and he will be flanked by junior Blagen Pado and fellow seniors Connor McAuley (Randolph-Macon), George Rizzo (George Washington), Julian La Bella (Eastern Mennonite), Griffin Carroll (Christopher Newport), and Nate Dulevitz (Mary Washington). The offensive x-factor for the Hawks has a chance to be uber-freshman Luke Craddock. On the mound, McAuley should figure into the mix along with seniors Sam Marcus (Lycoming) and Jackson Gimbel (James Madison). What will be interesting to track as the season goes on is the impact of quartet if new faces in sophomores Brennen Card (William & Mary), Owen Winebarger, Braedy Peck, and Dean Winters. 

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
The Saints were also a semifinalist in 2021, capping off a strong season that featured a younger team that had a lot of talent and upside to it. They bring back the bulk of their lineup in 2022, which should again feature senior Matthew Faircolth and junior Jase Howell, as well as an increased contribution from junior Christian James (Virginia). Look for senior Tyree Claxton's bat to also be a potential key for the Saints this spring. Howell, James, and junior Connor McGhee should form the core of the pitching staff. Look for sophomore Jackson Runyon (Virginia Tech) to potentially figure into the mix on the mound as well.

VISAA III

Walsingham Academy
The three-time defending champs will need to replace two-way standout Lincoln Lubsen (Randolph-Macon), but they have a history of being in the mix at the end and being able to replace graduates quickly. Jacob Miller-Bopp (Hampden-Sydney) is looking to add another title in his final year at Walsingham and will be the centerpiece of the team. Look to see junior Trey Christman also become an offensive focal point with seniors Donnie Evans (Hampden-Sydney) and Cody Christman also poised for good seasons. Keep an eye on sophomores Luke Harlow, Ayden Evans, Davis Neighbor, and Will Wyles as they could break out this spring as well.