2009 Prep baseball preview capsules

Dogwood District

Altavista Colonels

w COACH: Jason Kilbourne (fourth season)

w LAST SEASON: 9-12, 4-8 Dogwood

w KEY RETURNEES: SS Cory Angell Sr.; P/1B Scott Dalton Jr.; 3B/DH/P Leighton Bennett Jr.; Util. IF/OF/P Colby Shelhorse Sr.; C Trevor Yeates Sr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: C Hunter Shelhorse So.; P/1B Trae Lambert So.; P/3B Ricky Adams Fr.; Util. Jackson Finch So.; OF A.J. Cartolaro So.

w OUTLOOK: Though they’ve gotten off to an 0-3 start, including a 12-2 district-opening loss to preseason favorite Chatham, the Colonels should hold their own against all but the Cavaliers. “We don’t have cannon arms throughout our infield or outfield, but we have fundamentally solid defensive players,” Kilbourne said. “We don’t have guys that throw 85-90 mph on the mound or guys that will hit 10 home runs so we’ve got to do the little things well that will allow us to be successful.” Altavista won the district title in Kilbourne’s first season in 2006, but hasn’t been a contender since. “We want to get in the race in the district,” Kilbourne said. “Chatham’s going to be the favorite. After that, there are six teams that are pretty even.” Angell, who batted .328 with 15 stolen bases last year, may lead off or bat No. 3. “He’s got real good speed (but) he’s also good with runners on base to drive them in,” Kilbourne said, noting he hit two of the Colonels’ 10 home runs and batted .500 with runners in scoring position. Dalton, who went 4-2 with a 3.23 ERA last year, is the No. 1 starter with Colby Shelhorse, who had three saves, the primary closer. “If we get in a jam in the sixth and seventh, we’re going to go to him,” Kilbourne said. “He’s a late-inning guy.”

Appomattox Raiders

w COACH: Joe Caruso (10th season)

w LAST SEASON: 14-8, 10-2

w KEY RETURNEES: P/Util. Gary Crawford Sr.; SS Kenny Scott Jr.; 1B Sam Webber Sr.; C Brett Dill Jr.; 2B Patrick Mayberry Jr.; P/OF Drew Coleman Jr.; CF L.G. Gough Sr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: OF M.J. Hamlette Jr.; 3B/P Bryce Bradshaw So.; OF Dylan Fanney So.; IF/P Dylan Caruso Fr.; IF Tevin Franklin So.; IF/C Tyler Ramsey So.

w OUTLOOK: The Raiders won their first district regular season title in Caruso’s career last year after winning the tournament in 2005. They have had eight consecutive winning seasons since finishing under .500 in his first year at the helm. This season’s squad may be a long shot to defend its title, after graduating power pitcher Timmy Dudley, a red-shirt freshman at Liberty. But the Raiders have a good nucleus back, led by Scott, one of the fastest players in the district, Crawford, the ace of their staff, and Webber, who bat 3-4-5 in the lineup. “For us last year, we were pitching dominated,” Caruso said. “We’re going to be more balanced this year. We’re swinging the bat pretty well.” Crawford is not overpowering, but has excellent control as a pitcher. “He can throw three or four pitches for strikes at any time in the count,” Caruso said. “He can change speeds and hit spots.” Coleman, a big, lanky kid, has a good arm and Mayberry will be the first reliever Caruso calls out of the bullpen.

Gretna Hawks

w COACH: Calvin Takata (16th season)

w LAST SEASON: 3-15, 1-11

w KEY RETURNEES: P/SS Cory Owen Sr.; OF Jonathan Pingiley Sr.; C/OF Bronson Cocke Jr.; 3B Pearson Doss Jr.; OF Derek Barley Jr.; OF/2B Michael Mayhew Jr.; P/IF Ryan Gibson Sr.; P Matt Tucker Sr.; P Chris Norcutt Sr.; P Tyler Lecik Jr.

w TOP NEWCOMER: 1B/DH Ethan Winn Sr.

w OUTLOOK: Takata is still looking for a second pitcher to complement Owen, a four-year starter. “We’ve been playing good defensively (but) pitching, and throwing strikes, is always a problem,” he said. “Cory Owen throws the ball pretty good. He’s got velocity and if he can throw strikes, he can beat anybody.” He said Gibson and Lecik throw with good velocity and if they can get their breaking ball over, the Hawks will be in good shape. After starting a lot of sophomores last season, Gretna returns nearly everyone and picked up Winn, an imposing DH with long-ball potential who took last season off to focus on football, the sport he’ll play at Catawba next fall. Mayhew and Doss also have hit well to start the season.

Nelson County Governors

w COACH: Scott McGarry (ninth season)

w LAST SEASON: 9-13, 6-6

w KEY RETURNEES: SS Jordan Wooten So.; CF M.J. Wells Sr.; OF/Util. Chris Wood Sr.; LHP Eric Mays Jr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: P/3B Jake Mustain So.; RHP Matt Simpson Jr.; C Dakota Moser Jr.; 2B Forrest Lipscomb Fr.; Util./DH Calvin Baker Jr.

w OUTLOOK: The Governors’ pitching depth is suspect, but they’ve got the offensive firepower to stay in games with most district foes. Wells, a first-team All-Region B outfielder who batted .356 with three home runs and 22 RBIs last spring, will provide much of the spark along with Wooten, Nelson’s leading hitter at .432. “We’ve got a deep, athletic outfield and we’ll be platooning with the exception of Wells (in center),” McGarry said. “We’ve got some speed we’re trying to use on the basepaths.” Mays is the only pitcher with any varsity experience. He’ll be backed up by Colton Harris, a left-hander junior who’s been effective so far, Mustain, a transfer from St. Anne’s-Belfield, Simpson, a transfer from Covenant, and sophomore James Saunders. “We’ve got arms and hopefully, they’re going to become pitchers,” McGarry said. Moser is one of the better defensive catchers in the district. Nelson plays at preseason favorite Chatham today.

William Campbell Generals

w COACH: Andy Haga (fourth season)

w LAST SEASON: 7-12, 5-7

w KEY RETURNEES: P Darrell Ensley Sr.; OF Austin Fisher Sr.; OF Geffery Waller Sr.; SS Cody Rudder Jr.; 2B Baron Adams Sr.; 3B Chris Waller Jr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: OF Terrence Younger Jr.; C/P Matt Rudder Fr.; P Brandon Adams Jr.; OF Jamie Hamlett Jr.; 1B Zach Hamlett Jr.

w OUTLOOK: Though they don’t have a lot of depth, the Generals do have some quality senior leadership. “Defensively, we’re experienced in every position except catcher,” Haga said. “We’re pretty balanced (offensively) with five to seven guys who swing the bat pretty well (led by Rudder). The big question mark is how our pitching is going to stand up.” Baron Adams, who like Appomattox’s Scott played quarterback in football in the fall, leads off for the Generals. “He’s the guy that gets us going when he gets on for us,” Haga said, noting the Generals struggled without him at the end of last season after he injured his hand. Besides Ensley, Adams’ younger brother Brandon is a good pitcher, earning the win in Wednesday’s 13-3 rout of Dan River.

Seminole District

Amherst Lancers

w COACH: Mike Padgett (sixth season)

w LAST SEASON: 7-14, 5-7 Seminole

w KEY RETURNEES: P/DH Cody Stinnett Sr.; P/IF Dakota Stinnett Sr.; 1B/OF/P Matt Stinnett Jr.; RF/P William Sligh So.; C Kirby Anderson So.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: P Brett Ashwell Jr.; CF Trevor Woodson Jr.; SS Chris McDaniel Jr. 2B Jesse Witt Jr.; 3B Caleb Bryant Fr.; LF Jacob Stinnett Fr.

w OUTLOOK: The Lancers are young again this spring, with two freshmen, two sophomores and only two seniors in the lineup. “We’re constantly trying to get better, using our youth and inexperience to stay excited about the game,” Padgett said. They will go as far as the Stinnetts can take them, led by Cody, who’s not related to the other three teammates by the same name. He hit a 3-2 pitch for a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning of a 9-7 win over E.C. Glass last week. “He can hit the ball out of the ballpark and Matt Stinnett also has power,” Padgett said. Cody, Dakota and Matt all pitch along with Sligh and Ashwell, who serves as a long reliever and closer. “We have quite a few arms and guys who are able to throw strikes and get people out,” Padgett said. Amherst is 2-1 with a win over Appomattox and a loss to Lord Botetourt.

Brookville Bees

w COACH: Jim White (27th season)

w LAST SEASON: 4-8, 8-11 Seminole

w KEY RETURNEES: CF/P Jay Graham Sr.; LF/P Alec Thompson Jr.; P/Util. Jeff Myers Jr.; P/OF Jeff Maxwell So.; SS Kevin Fitzgerald So.; 2B James Dooley Jr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: C Ryan Mann Jr.; OF/DH Derek Wingfield Sr.; 1B Will Parsons Fr.

w OUTLOOK: The Bees started four freshmen last season and took their beatings, but could turn the tables on some teams this spring, led by a strong pitching staff. “This year we’ll be better and the year after this, I’m expecting really big things from them,” said White, who said this season or next could be his last at the helm. “Our pitching will make us competitive. We’re going to have to find a way to scratch out five or six runs. We’re still struggling with our hitting a little bit.” Thompson, the Bees’ leading hitter last season who bats clean-up, and Wingfield, a senior who didn’t play last spring, have two of the best bats. White has recruited two former Brookville standouts to serve as his assistants — Gene Yost who pitched at VCU and then with the Potomac Nationals, and Chris Glaiz, who was on the Bees’ state championship team in 1987 and went on to play at Bridgewater College.

Liberty Minutemen

w COACH: Stewart Grant (fourth season)

w LAST SEASON 8-12, 7-5

w KEY RETURNEES: P/SS Jake Tanner Jr.; C Aaron Lafon Sr.; OF/DH John Hatcher Sr.; LF Jarid Jones Sr.; 3B/P Clay Carimi Sr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: 1B/2B Brett Dietrich Jr.; CF/P Cody Outhong So.

w OUTLOOK: Tanner and Lafon form one of the district’s best batteries and the Minutemen will be tough to beat with a strong infield backing them up. “Defensively, we’re as strong as any team in the district,” Grant said. “Any time Jake Tanner’s on the mound, we’re going to have a chance to win.” Carimi, younger brother of former pitcher Tony, earned a win in his first career start this week, and Outhong, who roams the outfield as he did the defensive secondary in football, has potential on the mound, too. Dietrich, a JV call-up, has been a surprising offensive catalyst, batting 6-for-13 with two home runs in helping Liberty to get off to a 4-1 start. Hatcher, who had a great summer playing American Legion ball, is out with a knee injury but could be back in the lineup as early as today.

Heritage Pioneers

w COACH: Paul Johnson (third season)

w LAST SEASON: 16-7, 8-4

w KEY RETURNEES: P/1B James Womack Sr.; 2B Trevor Stevens Sr.; 3B Chris Ellis Sr.; C Eric Coleman Sr.; OF Trevor Darragh Sr.; IF/P Allen Seufert Jr.; OF James Carter Sr.; RF Robert Osbourne Sr.; P Chris Hass Sr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: Util. IF Joseph Knight So.; P Trey Stump Jr.; RF Robbie Shelton Jr.; RF Rondell Hamlett Jr.; OF Hoss Franklin Jr.

w OUTLOOK: The Pioneers finished runner-up to Jefferson Forest in the regular season and district tournament last spring, losing to Stuarts Draft in the Region III opener. “It was a successful year,” Johnson said. “We hadn’t won that many games in a while.” He graduated four key players from that team, but returns a strong core of starters, led by Womack, the Pioneers’ top pitcher, Stevens, who led them in hitting and RBIs, and Coleman, a solid catcher and powerful hitter. Johnson has multiple combinations he can use in the outfield, and is trying to find the right mix. “I’m hoping it’s going to be a strength,” he said of the outfield. “We have a lot of people vying for a few spots.” Offensively, the Pioneers have started slowly, but their bats should heat up with the weather. “We’re hoping when the end of the season rolls around, we’re somewhere there in striking distance,” Johnson said of the wide-open district race.

Jefferson Forest Cavaliers

w COACH: Jim Thacker (24th season)

w LAST SEASON: 17-5, 9-3

w KEY RETURNEES: 2B Bryan Sanderson Jr.; DH/P/2B Hunter Gordon Jr.; RF/1B/P Bobby Shelton Sr.; P Erik Heiligenstadt Jr.; P Trevor Johnston Jr.; CF Josh Storm Sr.; P/1B Vince Claudio Sr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: P Kyle Goddard So.; C Antonio Fazio Fr.; C/3B Jake Kliewer Fr.; 3B Buddy Stanley Jr.; SS Cody Carr So.; LF Neil Franklin Jr.; RF Justin Wirt Jr.; RF Kevin Carlin Jr.

w OUTLOOK: After taking a year off to watch his sons play at Roanoke College, Thacker returns for his 24th season and hopes to pick up where interim coach Ryan Gilliland left off, with the Cavaliers capturing regular-season and tournament crowns. That won’t be easy, however, after JF graduated its catcher, Josh Huffman, shortstop, third baseman and most of its outfield. “We’ve got a lot of new faces in new places,” Thacker said. “We’re still looking at the pieces of the puzzle. It’s a work in progress.” The Cavaliers do return the best pitching staff in the district, even without Gordon, who had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder and will DH and play second base until he’s ready to pitch in mid-May, and Shelton, who had an impact stress fracture in his wrist around Christmas and is just now starting to throw out of the bullpen. “We have very good pitching to keep us in ballgames,” Thacker said, referring to Heiligenstadt, Johnson, Claudio and Goddard, Brian’s younger brother, who picked up the win in his first relief appearance last week at Cave Spring. “If we score runs and play defense, we’ll be OK.”

Rustburg Red Devils

w COACH: Barry Godsey (sixth season)

w LAST SEASON: 14-9, 7-5

w RETURNEES: 2B Chad Wisecarver Sr.; OF Chris Anderson Sr.; OF Sam Calohan Sr.; P/1B Kevin Wade Sr.; SS CT Harvey Sr.; C Timmy Bagby Sr.; C Cody Gibson Sr.; OF Kerry Cofer Sr.; OF Josh Call Sr.; P/SS Chris Walker Jr.; P/3B Grayson Gibson Jr.; 1B Dustin Arrowood Jr.; C/OF Ross Garner Jr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: P/3B Brandon West Jr.; OF Doug Beard Jr.; P/1B/OF Dylan Phillips So.; OF Nick Malott So.; P/2B Greg Hamlett So.

w OUTLOOK: The Red Devils lost to Fort Defiance in the first round of the Region III tournament last year and should have a good shot of returning and advancing in the postseason this spring. “The Seminole will be as tough as usual,” said Godsey, who expects JF and Brookville to be the front-runners. “Anyone can beat anyone on a given night.” He said with all the rescheduling this spring, the teams with the most pitching will have the edge if they’re forced to play three district games a week in May. Rustburg is strong defensively and in pitching with Wade and Walker leading the way. “We must improve on our hitting with runners in scoring position and continue to put the ball in play,” Godsey said.

Staunton River Golden Eagles

w COACH: Brian Divers (ninth season)

w LAST SEASON: 5-14, 2-12

w KEY RETURNEES: P Michael Williams Sr.; C Zack Divers Sr.; P/OF Paul Bratton Sr.; 1B/OF Al Dillon Sr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: IF/P Jarred Tice Jr.; IF/P Cody Pruett Jr.; CF Jarrod Nichols So.; Util. Wesley Orfield So.; SS Ryan Robertson So.

w OUTLOOK: In its last season playing in the Seminole before shifting to the Blue Ridge, Staunton River has realistic expectations. “We would love to be competitive and improve and have a chance to make it to the Region (III playoffs) this year,” Divers said. “That’s our goal. We’re going to have to learn to get better and hopefully next year in the Blue Ridge, we’ll be ready (to roll).” The fledgling Golden Eagles have only five returning players and could start as many as five sophomores. “We’re young and inexperienced in positions (but) we’ve got some exciting sophomores,” Divers said of Nichols, who has good speed and will lead off, Orfield and Robertson. “Our strong point’s going to be in our pitching. Hopefully, that’s going to keep us in the ballgame.” Williams went 4-3 last season and Tice and Pruett both have varsity pitching experience and power at the plate.VACA

Faith Christian Academy Lions

w COACH: Dennis Smith (second season)

w LAST SEASON: 6-6, 3-6 VACA

w KEY RETURNEES: P/SS Jason Kelly Jr.; CF Brett Hemric Sr.; P/SS/3B Austin Williams Jr.; C Adam Hopkins Fr.; LF Jonathan Watlington Jr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: 1B Cory Blount So.; 2B Wayde McCutcheon 8th grader.

w OUTLOOK: The Lions only won three games in the VACA regular season last year but went on to take the tournament title. “In the regular season last year, we couldn’t connect and then finally came together and produced (in the tournament),” Smith said. “This year, we’re connecting from the start.” FCA lost to LCA’s JV team 10-4, settling down after some early first-game jitters. “We stayed in there and started to fight back at the end,” Smith said. “LCA’s an outstanding ball team. Their JV would beat any VACA varsity team.” Hopkins, Hemric and Kelly, the Lions’ best pitcher who struck out 17 Pathway Christian batters on Monday, are three of FCA’s best hitters. Blount has been a pleasant surprise at first base.

VIC

Liberty Christian Academy Bulldogs

w COACH: Ronnie McGuire (third season)

w LAST YEAR: LCA 17-2, 13-1 VIC

w KEY RETURNEES: SS Desmond Rice Jr.; P/1B Brock Wilson Sr.; 2B/P Seth Good Jr.; 3B Dylan Sligh Fr.; DH Dallas Slater Sr.; CF Corey Rose So.; 1B/OF Matt Williams Jr.; C Brad Knight Jr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: OF/P Scott Bailey Jr.; Util. Tanner Enloe Jr.

w OUTLOOK: LCA tied with Hargrave Military for the Virginia Independent Conference regular-season title last spring, but failed to make the Virginia Independent Schools Division I state tournament, ranked ninth in the final state poll for an eight-team field, after losing to Miller School in the VIC semis. “We’re strengthening our schedule, trying to play the teams we need to to get there,” said McGuire, who picked up VIS Division II state champion Greenbrier Christian, E.C. Glass and Bishop Ireton, a VIS Div. I school. The Bulldogs return all but two players from last season’s 17-2 squad. “Defensively, we’re as strong or stronger than last year, our pitching is a lot deeper this year, and, overall, we’ve got more team speed.” Rose and Rice, who bat first and second, both run extremely well. Rice batted .533 with 24 RBIs last spring. Pitching-wise, Good and Wilson share staff ace status. Wilson was 5-2 with 59 strikeouts in 42 innings with a 1.16 ERA last year and also led the team home runs, hitting at a .516 clip with 31 RBIs. Good batted .452 with 20 RBIs and went 4-0 on the mound with 36 strikeouts and a 0.48 ERA in 29 innings pitched.

Virginia Episcopal School Bishops

w COACH: Chip Jones (second season)

w LAST SEASON: 2-12, 2-10

w KEY RETURNEES: P Nick Costas So.; C Zach Jones So.; CF John Ladd Sr.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: LF/RP Anthony Fletcher So.

w OUTLOOK: The Bishops should improve on last season’s record and be even stronger next spring if they stay together. “We have a young team,” said Jones, whose son was a first-team all-VIC shortstop as a freshman and shifts to catcher this spring. “I’m looking forward to some good things from them. I’ve got a good nucleus of sophomores. We’re going to stay after it.” Costas has been impressive in two starts this season, both losses, and Ladd, Jones and Fletcher provide offensive punch in the top half of the lineup. “We’ve been together as a team for a week and a day, and we’ve had two practices outside so we haven’t seen much pitching, but their attitudes and effort has been fantastic,” Jones said after Tuesday’s 13-2 loss to LCA.

Western Valley District

E.C. Glass Hilltoppers

w COACH: Kevin Brown (sixth season)

w LAST SEASON: 11-7, 7-3 WVD

w KEY RETURNEES: 2B Parker Vukich So.; SS/P Kent Brizendine Sr.; CF/P James Gaines So.

w TOP NEWCOMERS: RF/P Harrison Scharf Fr.; P Nygeal Andrews Fr.; C Logan Collins Fr.; C Nate Williams So.; Util. IF Josh Morse So.; IF Dutch Lovern Fr.; LF Matt Taylor Jr.; 1B Joe Wirt Jr.

w OUTLOOK: Brown will start as many as four freshman and four sophomores, making it by far the youngest team he has worked with. “You can’t get much younger than that,” Brown said. “We’ve got a bunch of good young talent and we’re looking to surprise a few people this year and be competitive.” Brizendine, who homered to help the Hilltopppers salvage a split with LCA, is the lone senior starter and one of the best pitchers along with Gaines, who got some varsity experience as a freshman. Franklin County and Halifax are the favorites in the district race, with perennial power GW-Danville much improved from a sub-par season last spring. Brown said the Western Valley this year is comparable to the Seminole, which Glass will join next year.