2024 baseball preview: Team-by-team glances and district predictions

The 2024 baseball team-by-team preview and predictions. Only includes information submitted by coaches.

Bay Rivers District

Predicted finish: 1. New Kent, 2. Poquoson, 3. York, 4. Jamestown, 5. Lafayette, 6. Grafton, 7. Smithfield, 8. Tabb, 9. Warhill, 10. Bruton

Bruton

New coach Obie Boykin has a tough job as he takes over a team that finished 0-19-1 last season. The Panthers are led by OF Drew Lee, P/INF Hayden Zimmerman, 1B/DH Ty Yates, C Paul Mutter, INF Ryan Hazelwood and P/UTL Hunter Olinger.

Grafton

The Clippers lost a lot of experience from last year’s team and will be young this season. They will be led by OF Colton Sandiford, IF/P Noah Secrist, C Austin McGraw, P/IF David Smith and IF Evan Cruea.

Jamestown

The Eagles, who reached the state quarterfinals, are led by second-team All-Tidewater shortstop Caleb Ammons, who batted .446 with 18 stolen bases. The Christopher Newport commit was the Bay Rivers District Player of the Year. Other key players are C/P Steven San Miguel III, P/1B Daniel Schmidt, 2B/SS Connor Page (.333), 3B/P Jake Lawrence, LF Julian Colorado, CF Miles Lampert (.319), RF Sam Tighe.

Lafayette

First-year Rams coach Quentin Mascari knows all about the programs success, including two state titles in the last decade. He wants to keep it going. Last season, the Rams lost eight games by three runs or less. They will be led by CG/2B Austen Townsend, C/1B CJ Buchan, INF Brady Kremer, UTL Braden Lee, P Brady Isaksen, P/INF Charlie Yatsko, Josh Sims, Reed Smith, Jake Hanson and Zach Hasson.

Poquoson

Craig Zimmerman replaces Ken Bennett at Poquoson High coach. Bennett, who also was the school’s athletic director, was 225-125 in 15 seasons as coach. He led the Islanders to two state championships — including a runner-up finish last season — and eight state semifinal appearances. Zimmerman, who was an assistant coach, becomes just the third coach at Poquoson since the mid-1990s. The Islanders will contend for the Bay Rivers District title and state title this season. Eli Tyndall, Poquoson. The junior shortstop/pitcher was first-team All-Tidewater, first-team All-Class 2 as he helped lead the Islanders to the Class 2 Region A title and finish state runner-up. He batted .360 and was 8-1 with a 1.95 ERA on the mound.

Smithfield

The Packers won the Class 4 Region A title and finished state runner-up, both firsts in program history. They will be lead by junior SS/P Walton Bondurant IV, who was first-team all-state and second-team All-Tidewater (.337, 25 runs, 16 stolen bases, 14 RBIs), Norfolk State commit and P/1B/DH Christian Velez (.287, 16 RBIs), P/1B Maddax Brown (.329, 20 RBIs, 3-0, 2.10 ERA), P/1B Ty Hedgepeth, C/3B Kelson Sowden (.294) and Evan Brobst.

Tabb

The Tigers are led by Longwood commit and P/2B Kaden Trader and P/SS Jake Mutter, who was first-team all-region.

Warhill

Lions coach Jason Muniz says if his pitching can hold up, “We will surprise teams in the Bay Rivers District.” Those pitchers are Logan Timberg, Brayden Muniz, Theo Manna and Evan Harney. Other key players are INF Colin Green and UTL Connor Lawson.

York

Falcons coach Nick Ham took a team that went went from having three wins in 2022 to 17-7 last season. They’ll try to continue that success with senior LHP/1B Bobby Holihan, who was second-team all-state, senior 3B/1B/RHP Casey Cheaney, CF Cole Draper and RHP/3B/C Jack Harmon. Others include SS/RHP Will Hunt and OF Alan Harris.

Beach District

Predicted finish: 1. Cox, 2. First Colonial, 3. Landstown, 4. Princess Anne, 5. Ocean Lakes, 6. Kellam, 7. Kempsville, 8. Bayside, 9. Tallwood, 10. Salem, 11. Green Run

Bayside

The Marlins reached the postseason last year for the first time in more than 20 years. But coach Pat Stafford is handing the reigns over to Trenton Lee, who has been on the staff for six seasons. He will rely on juniors Austin Blakesley (.365), Barry Farias (.333) and Delsyn Csatlos (.429).

Cox

The Falcons will once again be the team to beat in the Beach District and will contend for another state title. They have senior infielder Austin Irby (.355, 34 R, 33 RBIs, 7 HRs) INF Conner Worth (.355, 17 runs, 13 RBIs), RHP Jake Colucci (6-0, 40 Ks) and OF/RHP Ryan Delaschmutt (1.05 ERA). They also add Cape Henry transfers Parker Wight, who was a first-team All-Tidewater pick, and his brother, Garrison, a Louisburg College commit. Parker, who committed to UNC-Greensboro, was first-team All-Tidewater last season after he batted .418 with 40 RBIs, 40 runs and six homers.

First Colonial

“After losing in the state tournament last year, the team is driven to return,” said coach Scott Stubbe, now in his 20th season. “We have a talented team that should have a chance to return, and we are playing a challenging schedule that will make us better as the season progresses. Pitchers will lead us and our experience on the offensive side will do the same.” His son, Wes, and Nic Morlang were both second-team all-region. Wes Stubbe batted .320 with 20 RBIs, while Morlang was 4-2 with a 2.20 ERA and 63 strikeouts. Other key players include 1B/P Keegan Haesler (.277, 13 R), IF Ryan Dugan (.281), P Brady Wilson (3-0, 1.42 ERA), P/OF Cade Howlett, P Aiden Parker, OF Kyler Edwards, INF Brady Gavin, INF/P Joey Karpovich, C Graydon Ambrose, INF Tyson Moravec and INF/P Jaethan Inman.

Green Run

The Stallions look to turn it around after going 2-18 last season. They return eight starters and three pitchers. They will be led by P/OF Tyler Campbell, C/P Dylan Bowden and 1B/3B/P Tameron Campbell, P Ayden Kent, P/INF Andrew Ludwig and OF Ja’Myr Jones.

Kellam

The Knights are led by senior INF Mason Yavoich, senior INF Grayson Kinzel, senior P Andrew McKinney, senior P Russell Brewster and senior catcher Brian Sleiman.

Kempsville

First-year Chiefs coach John Penn is excited about the season as he has high expectations for the program. The Chiefs will be led by seniors Mehka Hicks, Nick Sanchez and Cade Eidson. They also have juniors Cole Bergenholt and Trent Sutryk, and sophomore Calvin Webb.

Landstown

If the Eagles can stay healthy, then they could have a successful season. They are led by Old Dominion commit Cam Tellefsen, who will pitch and play first base. Longwood commit Colin Kim, James Madison commit Trey Campos, Richard Bland commit Charlie Hogan and Kyle Flora will lead the outfield. Other key players are VMI commit George Chevalier at pitcher and third base, and shortstop Jordan Hunt.

Ocean Lakes

The Dolphins lost a couple of big arms (Peter Phillips and Blake Dickerson), but coach Pete Zell is optimistic about this season thanks to returnees in Roanoke commit and 3B Colin Benson, James Madison commit and C Ryan Gocio, VMI commit and CF Austin Crew, P/1B James Cummings, P/SS Jack Marchesi and SS/2B Connor Mais. Other key players are Rowan Powers, Luke Ellison and Turner Kuhle.

Princess Anne

The Cavaliers return 10 players in what could be a big season. They are led by OF Christian Francis (all-region). P Walt Clevenger, UTL Sam Purcell (who led the Cavaliers in RBIs the past three seasons), Matthew Metheny, Xavier Doon and Aidan McKeating.

Tallwood

The Lions welcome Jay Ruberti as their new coach. He is the father of former Greenbrier Christian All-Tidewater softball player, Jaycee, who is currently an assistant coach at Missouri. The Lions will be led by junior P Carson Taylor, senior OF Jacob Steadman, senior C Donovan McDowell and infielders Ashdon Proctor and Jaziah Wright. They also have Luke Beachum (6-5, 275) a Christopher Newport football commit who will add power to the lineup.

Eastern District

Predicted finish: 1. Maury, 2. Granby, 3. Churchland, 4. Norview, 5. Manor, 6. Booker T. Washington, 7. Norcom, 8. Lake Taylor

Churchland

Truckers coach Gary Denette says this team potentially may be the most balanced he’s ever had. They are led by senior 3B/P AJ Boone, who was second-team all-state last season. They also have Nyle Shewmake, Cameron Duke, Jeremiah Lunceford, Damian Sasser, Gable Jansen and Even Jackson.

Granby

The Comets have the pieces in place to make a strong run led by senior pitcher and Davidson commit Daniel Smith, who was All-Tidewater and all-state as a sophomore. They also have C Cayden Sagers and SS Hector Rivera — both have committed to Virginia State. Other key players are senior RHP Andrew Hill, Declan O’Toole, Brady Van Hoose, Will Findlay, Logan Kodolitsch and Connor Kendrick.

Maury

The Commodores have senior P/INF Brycen Hamilton (.327, 5 HRs), senior OF John Allen Stillwell (.356), junior SS/P Hunter Gillespie, junior 3B/P Derek Baker (.344, 5-1), junior Landon Carraway, sophomore 1B/OF Lee Garris and sophomore 2B/P Landen Hall. “We’ll go as far as our pitching staff will take us,” said Commodores coach Robbie Butler.

Norview

Thad Berry comes over from Booker T. Washington High to take over as head coach. Last season Mariah Stewart and assistant Angela Williams-Hicks stepped in to take over a program that didn’t have a coach just days before the 2023. They helped the Pilots finish a surprising 8-10, including two wins over the Bookers. This team will be led by OF/P Nylan Billups, SS/P/C Ryan Lemon, OF/P/INF Christopher Alcantara, C/INF Gustavo Martinez, P/INF Jamil Moreta, P/INF Khari Vaughn, P/INF Donavan Fitzpatrick.

Peninsula District

Predicted finish: 1. Bethel, 2. Menchville, 3. Gloucester, 4. Warwick, 5. Woodside, 6. Kecoughtan, 7. Hampton, 8. Phoebus, 9. Heritage, 10. Denbigh

Bethel

Cayden Ochsenfeld — coach Chris Ochsenfeld’s son — was the Peninsula District Player of the Year after going 4-1 with a 0.91 ERA and 60 strikeouts. His cousin, Liam Ochsenfeld, is a catcher and designated hitter, who batted .330. Other key players are CF/P Ty Overstreet (.423), C/UTL Austin DeBusk (340), P/1B Joe Harris (.345) and P/INF Conner Lamb (3-0, 2.54 ERA, .375,16 RBIs).

Denbigh

The Patriots try to turn things around from a season that saw them go 0-20. They will be led by C Alexander Mathis (.346) and utility players Hayden Radican, Russel Clark, EJ Parker, Christian Valentine and Luis Caez-Rodriguez.

Gloucester

Gloucester coach Gus Morande is five victories away from 300 for his career. Senior INF/P Austin Shackelford, who was all-region last season, leads the Dukes. Other key pitchers are Christopher Newport commit Dylan Deyoung, Trevor Richardson, Landon Morris, Grayson Shield, Chase Carson and Colter Callis. They Dukes also have C Hank Hardaway, 1B Brayden Enoch, outfielders Hayden Simmons and Carson Teagle, and infielders Tyler Boulay, Chandler Howlett and Jordan White.

Hampton

The Crabbers will be led by RHP/INF Tobey Weymouth, UTL/LHP Shaun Blea, LHP/OF Cy Williams, Eli Chaltraw and Kecoughtan transfer Jayco Flores.

Kecoughtan

The Warriors finished 11-9 season and many of those players return. They will be led by senior outfielder/pitcher Tyler McClain, who was all-region and All-Peninsula District. They also have 2B/P Brayden Ellis, Kason Boone (.300), infielder Connor Lee 1B Noah Kilgore (.301, 16 RBIs), P/OF Tommy Distler, OF/P Mitchell Hawthorne (.296) and 1B Kason Boone (.291).

Menchville

Monarchs coach Phil Forbes has a mixture of veteran players and a group of good young players. Senior pitchers Zach Davis and Landon Turner — both first-team All-Peninsula District last season — will be key to the team’s success. Other players are C Chance Jones, LHP/OF/1B James Blotter and RHP/3B Luke Woodard.

Warwick

The Raiders return several players who earned all-region and all-district honors last season, including C Connor Smith, 3B Sam Gupta and 2B Mikey Bartron. Other key players are OF/1B Joe Lessord, P/1B Mark Jackson, P/INF Brenden Brown and OF/3B Chase Jenkins.

Woodside

Wolverines coach Kevin Hare has 276 career wins as he begins his 23rd season. They will be led by P/INF Mason Mompoint, P/INF Connor Castillo, INF Jamaury Hardin, Mattaniah Cook and Jordan Mullins.

Southeastern District

Predicted finish: 1. Western Branch, 2. Grassfield, 3. Hickory, 4. Nansemond River, 5. Great Bridge, 6. Deep Creek, 7. Indian River, 8. Oscar Smith, 9. King’s Fork, 10. Lakeland

Deep Creek

The Hornets are led by eight seniors, including King University commit Jose Ruiz (.391, 15 RBIs, 10 stolen bases), 2B Anthony Acevedo (.333, 17 runs, 15 RBIs) and pitchers Bret Gilmore, Drew Meppelink and Ryan Trant.

Grassfield

The Grizzlies, who lost in the state quarterfinals, will once again be strong. Senior P Charley Higginbotham was 3-1 last season with a 0.27 ERA. Other key players are C/INF Ryan Hoeft (.304, 2 HRs, 24 RBIs), P/INF Josh Long, OF/P Matt Sabale (.340 BA), OF/P Pudgy Snoh (.360 BA), OF Jayden Walker (13 runs), OF Jack Wecht (.294 BA) and P Bradley Zayac (6-3, 1.51 ERA).

Great Bridge

Wildcats first-year coach Shaun Todd said he’s going to need contributions from everyone for Great Bridge to have a successful season. He will rely heavily on seniors 1B Adam Blackstone, C/INF Conner High and OF Calvin Mabry. Also, watch for junior 3B Adam Bartley, sophomore SS Casey Cuddyer, sophomore OF/INF Andrew Griffin and freshman P/1B Cole Cinnamond.

Hickory

The Hawks are the defending Southeastern District champions. Junior OF Brayden Bachman is a two-time All-Tidewater selection. They also have all-region players Jake Chadwell, Ryan Kennedy, Eli Kraft, Ben Redding and Andrew Vinerov. The key to the season, says coach Hank Kraft, will be pitchers Wyatt Simmons, Tommy Blackburn, Ryan Barks, Brady Dekker, Ryan Kennedy and Jake Cozart.

Indian River

The Braves will be in rebuilding mode as they graduated eight seniors, but second-year coach Larry Bowles is optimistic. They will be led by senior P Joey Strauss (3.55 ERA), senior P/CF Elijah Ham (.309), senior SS/C/P Michael Brewer, UTL Jaydon Crawford, 1B/P Griffin Hendricks, C/SS Kalvin Murphy, INF/P Paul Green and OF Trent Berglund.

King’s Fork

First-year Bulldogs coach Andrew Riddick takes over a program that finished 4-16 last season. His key players are RHP/INF Brendin Landon, RHP/INF Matthew Kluck, RHP/OF Nathan Randolph and LHP/INF Jaycob Fetchner.

Nansemond River

The Warriors won the Class 5 Region B title last season and advanced to the state tournament before losing in the semifinal in extra innings. “I believe this team can win a state championship,” said Nansemond River second-year coach Ty Rivers. The Warriors return 1B Drew Barbosa (.361, 30 hits, 25 RBIs) and LHP Buddy Baker (4-1), who was second-team All-Tidewater. They also have OF Aden Judge, RHP Cam Bauswell, SS Konner Johnson and infielder Mikey Rodgers.

Oscar Smith

The Tigers will be led by junior 2B Braden Copeland (.406 BA), senior 2B Monte Jenkins (.345 BA) and sophomore P Dominic Zak (3-2 Record, 41 K). “Pitching and defense will need to lead the team this season in order to be successful,” said Oscar Smith coach Larry Gordon II.

Western Branch

Bruins coach Roland Wright returns 14 players from their Class 6 Region A championship team. He has coached many of them since 2014, including his sons, Jacob and Joshua. “I have had the privilege of coaching this group since 7U, so having one last ride with them and my sons is going to be a memorable experience,” he said. The Bruins are ranked No. 12 in the Southeast Region by Baseball America and are the only Hampton Roads team in the rankings. Some of the key players are Lynchburg commit OF Jacob Wright (.325), VMI commit and LHP Gavin Biernot (6-1), Randolph-Macon commit and SS Joshua Wright (.305), Marymount commit and 2B Seth Sadler (.275), 1B/RHP PJ Tone (.310), OF Markise Smith (.290), C Parker Coyle (.280) and 3B Logan Adams (.320). Other key players include 1B/RHP Eli Carroll and LHP Miles Melescu.

Private schools

Atlantic Shores

It should be a great season for the Seahawks as they return South Carolina commit and P/OF Patrick Dudley (82 Ks) and East Carolina commit and SS/P Brett Beasley (55 Ks). Other key players are Ross Horne (.383), Angelo Banks and 1B Braylen Pitscheneder.

Cape Henry

Coach Chris Dotolo returns plenty of talent from last season’s state championship team. But he knows it won’t be easy to repeat. “I told our players, ‘When you win back-to-back state championships, everyone will be coming after us, so be ready.’” Senior shortstop/pitcher and Old Dominion commit Tanner Schaedel (.462, 4 HRs, 35 RBIs; 8-0 with a 0.378 ERA) leads the Dolphins. They also have senior OF Andrew Hart (.387, 3 HRs, 37 RBIs), LHP Payton Friske (5-0, 2.79 ERA), UTL Nate Jensen, SS/P Colin Lebel, INF/RHP Trajan Taylor, OF Reid Downs, INF Chris Martinez, C/INF Ryan Hummel, LHP/1B Noah Hummel, RHP/OF Copeland Smith, LHP/OF Baylen Newcomb, C Owen Hawley and LHP Thomas Eicks. “Pitching will once again be our strength. We have a lot of depth and some power arms,” Dotolo said. “Defensively, we will be solid and should be able to score enough runs to win.”

Greenbrier Christian

The Gators return 12 players from last year’s team that lost in the VISAA Division II state championship game. Senior C Mikey Urbaniak, who was second-team All-Tidewater, batted .360 with 30 runs and 24 stolen bases, last season. Greenbrier also has UNC Greensboro commit Bubba Sawyer (.333 BA, 36 runs, 29 SBs), Delaware commit Payton Shipman (.384, 39 RBIs, 35 runs), VMI commit Thomas Conrad (.415, 36 runs, 26 RBIs), Eastern Mennonite commit Brayden Pendleton (6-1, 1.51 ERA), P Tucker Rupe, C/P Cam Kaliher and 2B Jonathan Ashe. They also have transfers Jack Bonney, who was first-team all-region at Maury, and Preston Luke, who was all-TCIS at Norfolk Christian. “We have made three consecutive VISAA state championship game appearances,” said coach Patrick Nichols about the Gators, who won it in 2021 and was runner-up in 2022. “All of the pieces are in place to make another run at a state championship in 2024.”

Nansemond-Suffolk

The Saints will be very deep on the mound led by Virginia Tech commit Jackson Runyon, who was all-state last season. They also have RHP Gavin Angelillo, RHP Matthew Elswick (Randolph-Macon commit) and LHP Carson Wetmore (Ferrum commit). Other key players are Hayden Jones, Joseph Petry and Phoenix Hope.

Norfolk Academy

The Bulldogs return most its team that just missed making the VISAA state tournament last season. The key players are 2B/OF Matt Camardella (.444, 16 RBIs), P/INF CJ Murray (.394, 21 RBIs), C Peter Gailiotos (.342, 22 RBIs), OF/1B Cooper Tyszko (.315, 13 RBIs), 3B Davis Steadman and CF/C Parker Codington.

Norfolk Christian

First-year Ambassadors coach Matthew McDonald takes over a team that finished 3-17 last season. But he sees plenty of bright spots for this season, including OF/P Hunter Lowery, INF/P Kasey Barcroft, C/1B Oliver Anderson and Princess Anne transfer
Colby Payne.

Norfolk Collegiate

The Oaks are led by 3B/P Ronnie Boone, SS Carter Kaplan, OF Charlie Crenshaw (.302, 14 runs, 16 hits, 11 RBIs), 2B/OF Ben Creekmore and OF/DH Nick Ryan (.272, 7 runs, 5 RBIs).

StoneBridge School

StoneBridge School, of Chesapeake, begins its baseball program this season and the Cavaliers have entrusted the program to former Princess Anne coach Jimmy Hunt to lead it. He stepped down from coaching in 2018 after 32 years. He will count on junior C Tyler Thompson and Junior 1B Colton Frazier to lead a very young team, including freshmen Teagan Greer, Mason Cole, Blake Walton, Bryce Walton, Braggeston Hudson and Trenton O’Quinn.

Walsingham

Ohio State commit Luke Harlow, the reigning VISAA Division III Player of the Year, will try to help lead the Trojans to another state title. Last season, he batted .516 with 49 hits, 47 runs, 38 RBIs and 32 stolen bases. They also have George Washington commit Sean Sousa, Hampden-Sydney commits Davis Neighbor and Will Wyles, as well as C Brody Schultz, OF/RHP Ayden Evans, RHP Daniel Guntherberg and transfers Matthew Swanson (Jamestown), Drew Weddington (Jamestown) and Andrew Cole (Lafayette). “We’re poised to make another strong run in the state tournament,” said Trojans coach Ian Heisel. “I have coached most of these kids since they were 9 years old.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com