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This spring we take a different approach to the unveiling of our Preseason Power25 teams across the commonwealth/DC. Instead of one full release, we will be doing a countdown starting today and running all the way to the beginning of the high school season. Over the course of the next 2.5 weeks, we will be counting down our preseason top 25.

Virginia/DC Preseason Power 25: No. 24 - Highland Hawks

Preseason Rank: 24
Level: VISAA D-II
Head Coach: Micah Higgins
Playoff Run: VISAA D-II Semi-Finals

Top Players 

Luke Burner OF/LHP 2019 (WV Wesleyan)
Joe DeBardi 3B 2019 (Mount St. Mary's)
Blake Fisher SS/RHP 2020 (Pictured)

X-Factor

Ed Wagner / Garrett Pancione. Both of these talented 2021 grads will play a role for the overall success of Highland. Wagner, a transfer, will see plenty of time in game and if he can emerge as another arm in the rotation, it could play huge dividends. Pancione was impressive in his freshmen year for the Hawks, and if he can build on that and improve in his sophomore campaign, this makes for a tremendously deep and talented lineup.   

Key Players Lost

Matthew Michel

Outlook

After losing only one real key piece from their 2019 team, the Hawks return almost the entire team and have added some outstanding new pieces. Although the loss of Michel is a huge one as he was a key piece to the rotation, there are some players in place who will more than make up for that.

On the mound look for 2020 RHP/SS Blake Fisher to lead the way in the rotation with 2019 OF/LHP Luke Burner (WV Wesleyan) combining to make an impressive 1-2 punch in the rotation for the Hawks. 2019 3B/RHP Joe Debardi (Mount St. Mary’s) could potentially take over the closer role this spring for the hawks, closing out games. As we said, 2021 RHP Ed Wagner looks like he has the potential to be a top of the rotation type arm down the road, and if that happens this year it will add tremendous depth.

Offensively, Burner will head up the lineup after being conference player of the year in 2018. DeBardi and Fisher will man the middle of the lineup for the Hawks. 2019 OF Dylan Fisher (Lynchburg) and 2020 OF Eddie Gimbel will be table setters at the top of the order. 2021 C Garrett Pancione returns after starting every game behind the dish in his freshmen campaign and adds depth to a deep lineup. Wagner and 2021 1B Blake Cuddington should see some time in the order as well for the team this spring.

The season schedule in 2019 will have plenty of excellent tests for the Hawks, who should again run through their conference, although the competition should be a bit tougher this year with some talent down at Frederickburg Christian. Overall, the season slate is a very challenging one that I am a fan of and should well prepare this team for the playoff run this spring.

more Power 25