Follow @PBRVirginiaDC 
Facebook + Instagram

Regions C & D had plenty of talent and their records showed that in 2023, but no team from those two regions managed to make it to the state championship game. While these two regions did graduate a ton of talent from last years teams, they bring back some talented young prospects and some new faces to the regional fight. Take a look at previews on thirteen teams from VHSL 3A Regions C & D.

VHSL 3A Region C/D Previews:

Abingdon  

2023 Record: 20-6 *Lost in VHSL 3A State Quarterfinals*

The southwest Virginia powerhouse lost six seniors from last year’s club, but the Falcons learning how to fight through without their stud senior Ethan Gibson may be the biggest takeaway from last season. Gibson was their do-it-all star and with him being out all season, the Falcons had to be “next man up”. Jett Humphreys (William & Mary) handled that role well, showing off his two-way ability throughout the season. He was the District Player of the Year, as well as named 1st Team All-State. Upperclassmen Braylen DeBusk, Beckett Dotson, Daniel Fellhauer, and Elijah Parks should be major players in the Falcons’ success in 2024. Landon Turman and Aidan Woods got some big innings last year as freshmen and should continue to be important pieces moving forward. There are a few other talented young players, but we will give it time to see if and how they fit in this season.

---

Alleghany

2023 Record: 20-3 *Lost in VHSL 2A State Semifinals*

Alleghany is another team that has made the jump up in classification, moving up from 2A to 3A. The Cougars are coming off of an outstanding year where they rolled to a 16-0 start before dropping two on back to back days in late May. Alleghany would continue their march towards the title, but it would end with a one run loss at the hands of Poquoson in the 2A State Semi’s. The Cougars graduated seven players from last year’s squad, but bring back a five players who earned postseason honors, including two 1st Team All-State selections, Hunter DePriest and Eli Weese (Bridgewater). DePriest and Weese should be joined by Kole Caldwell, Chris Harden, and Anthony Webb. Those five players should bring plenty of talent and experience to this Alleghany club, but it will be a tougher road in 3A postseason play.

---

Broadway

2023 Record: 13-10

The Broadway Gobblers worked their way to a 13-10 record before falling to Liberty Christian Academy in the region semifinals in 2023. Heading into 2024 they bring back their offensive weapons that look to give them a chance to make a deep postseason run. Sy Crider (West Virginia) and Bransen Hensley (West Virginia) look to be a two headed monster at the top of the line up for the Gobblers this spring. Conner Michael will provide support in the offense coming off an all-district selection. Two other upperclassmen that look to be big pieces are Cristian Rivera (transfer) and Shea Kushner. Mason Lynn (Randolph-Macon) should log a lot of innings on the mound for the Gobblers this spring. In addition to Mason Lynn, the staff ace, the Gobblers return plenty of depth on the mound. Ty Sharpe (‘25), Jacob Blosser (‘25), and Kushner (‘24) should all play big roles on the mound and bring their own strengths to the staff. While they are a upperclass heavy team, Broadway does have three freshmen that have promising futures, but it is still TBD as to how much they will contribute at the varsity level this spring.

---

Cave Spring

2023 Record: 19-6-1  *Lost in VHSL 3A State Semifinals*

Cave Spring loses Trey Ludy, the 3A State Player of the Year, and his production will be tough to replace. The Knights return Kent Ray who was 1st Team All-State DH, as well as seniors Kyle Cook and Sam Skaff. Ludy’s absence will be noticeable, but Cave Spring has some talented upperclassmen to help soften that blow.

---

Christiansburg

2023 Record: 15-7 

The Blue Demons finished with a 15-7 record in 2023, with their season coming to a close in the Regional Semifinals. Christiansburg returns seven starters including a trio of seniors in Cam Dunn, Jeremiah Thompson, and Christian Earles. They would return a fourth starter in Tanner Evans (Charleston-WV), but Evans is more than likely out for the season due to an injury from football season. That is a big loss because Evans would be the top returning bat and arm for the Blue Demons and is an All-State caliber player. The trio of seniors are backed up by four juniors to bring more experience to this roster. Rocco Fizzano is a well known name and will be a big contributor in 2024, but Gavin Dow and Sam Dudash earned postseason honors of their own in 2023. The fourth junior to watch is a potential breakout arm this season, Connor Adams. Mason Cullop and Caleb Crotty could see some important time as underclassmen for this Christiansburg club.

---

East Rockingham

2023 Record: 21-6 *Lost in VHSL 3A State Quarterfinals*

The Eagles made a strong run in 2023 making it to the 2A state tournament, but fell to Poquoson in the first round. The Eagles bring back a bulk of the roster, including six starters, but make the jump up to 3A in 2024, so the competition will heat up. Upperclassmen Landon Bruce, Will Eppard, Ryan Wright, and Ryan Williams will anchor the Eagles as they look to get back into the state tournament. Alex Jenkins and Kayden Gibson are two sophomores that could see big roles in 2024.

---

Fluvanna

2023 Record: 16-8 *Lost in VHSL 3A State Quarterfinals*

The Flying Flucos worked their way to a 16-8 record with a state tournament appearance before falling to the Cave Spring Knights in the first round. Fluvanna will have to replace innings on the mound with the departures of JJ Glasscock and Joe Gomez. Offensively Samuel Loving, Ryan Mann, Cody Peck, and Maddox Warren are some pieces that could provide some run support for the pitching staff and look to make it back to the state tournament.

---

Liberty Christian Academy

2023 Record: 23-1 *Lost in VHSL 3A State Semifinals*

Liberty Christian made it to the VHSL 3A State Semifinals before getting bounced by eventual state champs, New Kent. LCA lost a ton of pitching and talent from their 2023 roster, but rest assured there is some talent underneath. To go along with the young talent, you have upperclass returners such as Braden Weaver (Liberty), Landon Owen, and Danny DeMoss. A few potential names to know this spring that could be bigger contributors are Ayden Walker, Reid Fanney, and Josh Hall Jr. A definite name to know for this year and beyond is Bryce Torres, the younger brother of ‘23 graduate Boston Torres. Like brother Boston, Bryce has shown a tremendous hit tool and ability to find the barrel, but his position value at shortstop may make him a coveted follow this spring and beyond. The Bulldogs will need to find some mound depth behind Landon Owen and some depth at the plate to get back to the state tournament in 2024.

---

Northside

2023 Record: 12-11

Not sure how 2024 will go for Northside, but the future is very very bright for the Vikings. After a 12-11 finish in 2023, they will only return four starters and two arms. Kyle Heck and Aiden Brown are two seniors that should play big roles in 2024, but the excitement and future value of this program comes via the freshmen and sophomores. Sophomores Mason Stanley and Aries Oliver are two talented players that should play big parts, as well as two freshmen in Brett Taylor and Camden Spangler. John Doak is one of the lone juniors that will be a major contributor and he is coming off of an All-District season in 2023. This Vikings club will be one to keep an eye on this year, as the excitement and high energy that a young movement brings can be just what a team needs to make that playoff push.

---

Pulaski County

2023 Record: 11-10

Pulaski finished 11-10 in 2023, but they will return some talented upperclassmen. Johnny Anderson, Brogan Epperley, Gabriel Huff, and Ethan Tickle return in 2024. The potential addition of a pair of talented freshmen in Seth Carter and Kaleb Sartin make the future of Pulaski very bright. How much will they contribute in 2024? Time will tell. Until then, Pulaski has some experience to help potentially push them into the playoffs this year.

---

Spotswood

2023 Record: 15-7

The Spotswood Trailblazers had a solid showing in 2023 going 15-7 before falling in the region quarterfinals to Broadway. The Trailblazers have a strong crop of returners including Camden Blank, Jackson Moyer, and Andrew O’Brien that will get the offense going for the Trailblazers. Brady Hoover looks to log some big innings for Spotswood. Carter Lenz could be a breakout arm in the valley this spring and Porter Craver should anchor the Trailblazers with the catching duties. They will need to show some depth and ability to produce runs versus frontline arms, but if they can do that then they may have enough arm depth to make it deep in the playoffs.

---

Tunstall

2023 Record: 15-7

Raymond Ladd (Radford) will be a tough arm to replace for Tunstall, but they do return star outfielder Carter Richardson (Radford) in 2024. They will need to find some offensive and arm depth to go around Richardson, but the Trojans always finds a way to be playing deep in May and early June.

---

Turner Ashby 

2023 Record: 13-8

The Turner Ashby Knights had a young roster in 2023 finishing with a record of 13-8. With those players returning and gaining experience they look to make a run in 2024. Clay Guyer and Tyler Hill could take a bulk of the innings this spring. Micah Matthews, Brooks Bowman, Brandon Petit, and Caden Simmers have the potential to create a strong offense to lead the Knights to a postseason run.