VA/DC Preseason Power 25: 11-15

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As the season rapidly approaches, we continue our preview of the 2022 High School season by releasing our Preseason Power 25. Today, we reveal teams 11-15

 

15. James Madison

With arguably the best prep prospect in the state in 2023 Bryce Eldridge (Alabama), the Warhawks will look to answer back from an amazing season and 6A State Championship in 2021. Losing the vast majority of their lineup, including Cubs 2nd round pick and 2021 PBR VA/DC State Player of the Year James Triantos, the Warhawks will have plenty of voids to fill at the plate and on the mound. Eldridge will carry some of that burden, but will need help from bats like Jaden Kritsky (Shippensburg) and Bannon Brazell. Look for Eldridge to also be a key to the Madison rotation this spring as well. James Madison has become very good at reloading from one year to the next under head coach Pudge Gjormand, look for that to remain true this spring.

14. Herndon

Herndon is coming off of its best season in many years in 2021 and the Hornets return the bulk of the key pieces to that roster. 2023 Liam Willson (Wake Forest) tops the lineup with a power/speed combination at the plate. 2022s Jackson Coen (Georgetown) and Kyle Henson will be back in the top spots in the rotation and Connor Godshalk and Aidan Broussard (Illinois Tech) offer depth behind them. Hill Naski, Matt Neach (WV Wesleyan), Mitch Mauer, Andrew Horyczun (Baruch), and Graham Sears (Stevenson) all return to an offense that is going to have plenty of length behind Willson.

13. mills godwin

Godwin will return a lineup and pitching staff that excelled last spring and are now a year older and have as much depth on the mound as any team around. Luke Calveric had a very strong summer on the mound and at the plate. The recent Radford commit should be a big two way piece for the Eagles this spring. Justin "Juice" Tobin, Garrett Mason (breakout star potential in 2022), and Ashur Caraher (Hampden-Sydney) all return after playing big roles in the Godwin offense last year. Sleeper arm to watch for is Zach Boyd. Look for the Eagles to once again make a run in Class 5. 

12. riverside

The Rams have been in the postseason mix every year since the school opened in the fall of 2015.  They lost their top two arms to graduation in Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman (East Carolina) and Michael Walsh (Maryland), Riverside looks to be loaded with talent again in 2022. On the mound, look for seniors Mac Yarbrough (Norfolk State) and Steven Trone (Old Dominion) to headline a talented group that will also include 2023s Ryan DeMartin (Georgetown) and Kyle Johnson (Duke). Johnson should be a factor in a lineup that will feature senior Stone Lasseigne (Christopher Newport) and slick-fielding junior shortstop Cavan McMeans (College of Charleston).

11. cape henry

Cape Henry may still be looking for that frontline, shutdown arm, but the experience that the young staff gained last spring will no doubt help. Offensively the Dolphins return one of the top power bats in the area in Kenneth Schaedel (Georgia Tech), as well as Parker Wight who had a breakout spring as a freshman last season. Cape has plenty of depth positionally with the likes of a healthy Yoon Chae, Andrew Hart, Harper Cox (UVA), Josh Holland, Garrison Wight, Macaddin Dye, Cooper Angilly, and Tanner Schaedel. The pitching will be the key as the Dolphins should not have trouble scoring runs.