Commonwealth Classic All-Tournament Team: 1st Team
April 4, 2024
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Last weekend was the second annual Commonwealth Classic held on Saturday, March 30, and Monday, April 1, at multiple locations in the Richmond area plus one extra game played in Northern Virginia. Games on the first day of action at each site were at 10 am and 1 pm at Ironbridge Academy in Chester and the evening games were at 4 pm and 7 pm at RF&P and Dorey Park.
Today we would like to announce our All-Tournament 1st Team. Eleven players from some of the different teams that participated in the 2nd Annual Commonwealth Classic.
Pitchers
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Myles Upchurch RHP / 3B / St. Albans, VA / 2025Upchurch was the tough-luck loser in that showdown with Yoder and Atlee, surrendering just 2 unearned runs in the fifth after the inning was started with an error and botched bunt coverage. He got two big punchouts and nearly got out of it before giving allowing a 2-run single. He went all six innings, allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8. His fastball 90-92 and he showed feel for his full arsenal, mixing pitches all game and getting swings and misses with them all.
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Noah Yoder RHP / 1B / Atlee, VA / 2025Yoder is a Duke commit and went 5 scoreless in Saturday's win and big showdown with fellow Top-5 2025 prospect Upchurch. Yoder was up to 93 in the first inning or two but really locked in during the third-fifth and dominated then when he started landing his breaking ball, getting swings and misses in and out of the zone with it and his fastball. He punched out 8 and allowed just 2 hits.
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Catcher
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Benjamin Rossi C / RHP / Benedictine, VA / 2024One of the leaders of this Cadets’ squad, Rossi offers a steadying presence behind the plate and does some of the dirty work at the plate. It is not loud production, but it is steady production. He helps control the running game, solid receiver, and backbone to the defense. While sometimes these types of players go unrecognized, Rossi’s performance was loud enough to bring home 1st team honors.
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First Base
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Edward Berkley Smallwood OF / 1B / Mills E. Godwin , VA / 2024What a tournament for the Paul D. Camp commit and Godwin senior first baseman. He was 5 for 8 with seven RBI, including a three run homerun during their blowout victory over Nansemond River on Saturday morning. In addition to the overall strong performances over the course of the tourney, he was 4-5 on Saturday. He brings energy and enthusiasm to a lineup that can sometimes lack explosiveness. Cannot overstate how strong of a weekend/tournament that Smallwood had.
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Infield
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Collin Clarkson / 2B / Benedictine, VA / 2024Along with his teammate Will Toland, Clarkson was a Co-Tournament MVP. Why? His ability to impact the game in so many different ways. Clarkson was 6 for 10 for the tournament, boasting one of the highest batting averages of the tournament. Line drives, spread it around, and bunt for hits, the Randolph-Macon commit can do a little of everything at the plate. In addition to his really solid performance at the plate, Clarkson locked down shortstop and the middle infield with his teammate, Will Toland.
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Will Haynie SS / 3B / Atlee, VA / 2026Haynie was 3 for 8 over the course of the tournament, including a big 2 for 3 night on Saturday night in the semifinals. The Atlee third baseman made play after play at third base with his solid glovework and eye opening arm strength. He produces gritty and tough at bats and is willing to do the little things at the plate.
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Shane Howie SS / 2B / Independence, VA / 2025Howie was a barrel machine in both Saturday games for Independence. He showed a simple approach staying short and working gap to gap and drove the ball consistently between the gaps throughout the day, keying Indy's win in their second game.
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Outfield
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Griffin Burkholder OF / Freedom, VA / 2024Burkholder had a solid tournament, including leading the charge to Freedom on Saturday in their first game. The WVU commit was 2 for 3 in their first game with a triple and two big putouts from right field. His elite set of tools make him a hard to miss prospect and his draft stock continues to trend up. The Freedom outfielder was 3 for 8 on the tournament.
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Aden Judge OF / RHP / Nansemond River , VA / 2024Judge came out the gates swinging. On Saturday his first game he was 2 for 2 with a double and a homerun. For the entirety of the tournament, the VMI commit was 3 for 5 with two doubles and a homerun. He hits on the frontend of the Nansemond River lineup and sets the tone for the Warriors as a run producer, stolen base threat, and leader.
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Henry Miller C / 3B / St. Albans, VA / 2026Miller put together some quality at bats during the Commonwealth Classic. 4 for 9 with a homerun and three doubles. Not too often do you see a hitter produce a near .500 average with all of their hits being extra base hits. Compact swing with loft built in and produces loud contact, especially to the pullside.
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Utility
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Luke Smyers LHP / OF / Mills Godwin, VA / 2025Smyers made an instant impact on Saturday morning. The Alabama commit was 5 for 11 during the course of the tournament with two homeruns and a double. In addition to his big offensive contributions, Smyers worked four solid innings in his start versus Benedictine, allowing two runs and striking out eight. As we thought before the season, the value for him on the mound is obvious, but we cannot overstate his importance at the plate. In order for this Godwin team to get back in the state tournament, Smyers’ offense will be pivotal for a team who can go quiet at times.
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