Greenbrier, Nansemond River sit atop poll
Support for Autism Awareness
During April, several 757 teams will participate in an Autism Awareness game. Western Branch coach Roland Wright, whose son Nathan has autism, started the event several years ago. He — along with some of his baseball friends — will play “Autism Awareness” games.
Here’s a list of them: April 5 — King’s Fork at Western Branch; Indian River at Grassfield; Ocean Lakes at Kempsville; Kellam at Princess Anne; April 7 — Cox at Ocean Lakes; Great Bridge at Deep Creek; Grassfield at Hickory; April 9 — First Colonial at Landstown.
Nansemond River coach makes one last run
This will be Nansemond River coach Mark Stuffel’s final season. Stuffel, now in his 21st season, will be stepping down at season’s end to follow his daughter, Cammie, who last season was first-team All-Tidewater in softball as a freshman. His son, Ayden, is a senior this season and was second-team All-Tidewater last season.
“I want to watch her play her last two years of high school,” he said. The Warriors hope to send Stuffel — who is 22 victories short of 300 — out on a high note. Nansemond River, which won a state title in 2016, returns many players from a team that advanced to the region semifinals last season.
Childhood friends reunite to lead Princess Anne
Princess Anne coach Marc Joe is looking forward to this season. Not only should the Cavaliers be good, but he’ll get a chance to coach with two of his childhood friends. Jaylin Gardenhire is already on his staff as an assistant and junior-varsity head coach. Now he adds Justin Baird, who was the head coach at Tallwood last year but is coming over to join his staff.
“Having Justin on board has been huge for Jaylin and I,” Joe said. “Last year it was really just the two of us. This summer when we heard Justin was leaving Tallwood, it was a no-brainer to try and get him to come over and join our staff. We have all been really close since high school, so we all work so well together. In his short time here, Justin has already made a huge impact on our program. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Norfolk Academy coach brings lots of experience
Norfolk Academy coach Tim LaVigne begins his seventh season for the Bulldogs, and his players would be wise to listen as LaVigne played 11 seasons in the minors and is a former pitching coach at Old Dominion.
“When I retired from playing professional baseball, I knew I wanted to coach,” he said. “I had a lot of great mentors during my 11-year career and wanted to pass on what I learned. I loved my five years at ODU and learned a lot about coaching from Chris Finwood. Now at Norfolk Academy, I am able to draw on all of my experiences in a role that goes far beyond wins and losses.”
Inaugural All-Tidewater Baseball Game
The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press newspapers, along with the Hampton Roads Sports Commission, will be working together this season to organize a high school all-star game. The event will be played after the season, and the teams will be made up of players who earn All-Tidewater honors.
757Teamz Top 15 1. Greenbrier Christian
The Gators, defending VISAA Division II state champions, begin the season ranked No. 77 nationally in the MaxPreps preseason Top 100. They are led by senior catcher Austin Younce (.475, 30 RBIs, 3 HRs), senior left-handed pitcher Bailey Matela (an ODU signee), senior outfielder Gavin Whitehurst (.451) and junior pitcher/utility player Nico Angrisani (.403, 6-1, 1.73 ERA).
They also have sophomore pitcher TJ Norvell, who returns after missing last season due to injury; sophomore shortstop Bubba Sawyer, a University of Virginia commit who transferred from Hickory; senior pitcher Brandon Dahlman, who transferred from Florida and throws in the upper 80s; and junior infielder Maison Nance, a Bayside transfer.
2. Nansemond River
The Warriors return several players from a team that advanced to the region semifinals last season, including shortstop and Virginia Tech commit Clay Grady (.465, 16 runs) and utility player and Christopher Newport University commit Ayden Stuffel (.417, 13 runs). Both were second-team All-Tidewater selections.
The Warriors also have first baseman and VMI commit Grayson Fitzwater, third baseman and Maryland commit Jordan Crossland, pitcher/outfielder Aden Judge and second baseman Cam Johnson, a Maury transfer. Nansemond River also has three junior pitchers in Thomas Wolfe, Bryce Burchette and Zach Bronaugh.
“We are very strong defensively and offensively,” coach Mark Stuffel said. “If pitchers can keep from giving away bases, we will be hard to beat.”
3. Ocean Lakes
Dolphins coach Pete Zell begins his 30th overall season and ninth at
Ocean Lakes. He has a lot to smile about as the Dolphins will have a deep pitching staff led by Virginia Tech commit and Salem transfer Blake Dickerson. The lefty is joined by another lefty in James Madison commit Max Kuhle. They also have right-handers Nate Chown (Roanoke commit), Ian Dreiman (Ferrum commit) and Nick Beatty (Virginia Wesleyan commit). Other key players are senior catcher Trevor Selph, senior outfielder Travis Dunnavant and third baseman Marcel Whitfield.
4. Grassfield
The Grizzlies will be experienced, led by five seniors in outfielder Andrew Brandon, catcher Jackson Donahue (.395), outfielder Dylan Hall, pitcher Steven Ritchie (4-0, 0.47 ERA) and second baseman Ben Zayac (.308). They also have junior catcher Quinn Canning, sophomore infielder Ryan Hoeft (.359), junior first baseman/pitcher Jacob Henry, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Matthew Sabale, junior infielder C.J. Higginbotham, sophomore pitcher Bradley Zayac (3.50 ERA), junior catcher Dylan McClellan and junior infielder Maddox Tsutsui.
The Grizzlies also have two newcomers who should contribute immediately in Atlantic Shores transfer Joe Fredericks (pitcher/ outfielder) and Oscar Smith transfer Jacob Bunch (utility).
5. First Colonial
Coach Scott Stubbe reached a milestone last season when he won his 300th career game; he’s now at 306. The Patriots, who lost in the Class 5 Region A championship game, hope to add to that total this season.
They are led by senior catcher Jerry Barnes (.372), senior outfielder Logan Stein (.304) and senior infielder Alec Aguilar (.300). They will have a strong pitching staff led by William Wian, David Fall, Walker Fuller, Ryan Northup and lefty Casey Proctor. They also have outfielders Jake Genzler and Trey Wright.
“We are excited about the upcoming season, and we had a good year last year,” Stubbe said. “Our players are fully aware, though, that last year doesn’t matter and that they need to worry about their next opponent. We are looking forward to getting on the field and competing.”
6. Cape Henry
The Dolphins are led by Georgia Tech commit and infielder/pitcher Kenny Schaedel (.356 BA, 5 saves), Virginia commit and outfielder/ pitcher Harper Cox (.288), first baseman/pitcher Parker Wight (.422, 4-2, 2.72 ERA), outfielder/ pitcher Josh Holland (.375) and shortstop/pitcher Yoon Chae.
7. Western Branch
The Bruins have a core group of seniors led by outfielder and Virginia commit Harrison Didawick (.335), Randolph-Macon commit and first baseman/ third baseman Hunter Johnson (.320), Old Dominion commit and catcher Jackson Tone (.290) and pitcher/third baseman Justin Gardner (.285). Juniors Carter Craun (pitcher) and Nic Poole (outfielder) also will be important to the Bruins’ success.
“If our senior leadership leads and allows our young players to mature, we hopefully will be in the thick of things at the end of the season,” coach Roland Wright said.
8. Cox
The cupboard isn’t bare for the defending Class 5 state champion. The Falcons will be led by junior pitcher and East Carolina commit Michael Irby, who last season pitched in some big moments while leading Cox to the state title. He was 6-0 with a 1.10 ERA to earn second-team All-Tidewater honors. The Falcons also return shortstop Thomas White, who scored 17 runs. They also have Christopher Newport commit and senior pitcher/first baseman Dylan Blazer (5-0), East Carolina commit and utility player Austin Irby and Richard Bland College commit and catcher Ben Adams.
9. Hickory
The Hawks are led by seniors: pitcher/outfielder Cooper Newell, third baseman/pitcher Branden Walsh, pitcher/designated hitter Jimmy Loper, catcher Spencer Sigmon, first baseman/pitcher Jacob Smith, infielder/catcher Keegan Megaro and outfielder/ pitcher Zach Megaro.
10. Menchville
Monarchs coach Phil Forbes III begins his 34th season. He has won 464 games during that time. They are led by senior utility player
Tyler Gorbett, senior left-hander/ first baseman Dave Ruiz, junior pitcher/infielder Jay Clements, sophomore pitcher/utility player Zach Davis and sophomore utility player Landon Turner.
11. Walsingham
The Trojans are ready to repeat as VISAA Division III state champions. They return Hampden-Sydney commit and infielder/pitcher Jacob Miller-Bopp (.325, 27 hits, 20 RBIs, 4 HRs), who was first-team All-Tidewater. They also have third baseman Cody Christman (.329, 23 hits, 20 RBIs), who was secondteam All-Tidewater.
Other key members include: outfielder/pitcher Donnie Evans (3.00 ERA, 2 saves), William & Mary commit and shortstop/ pitcher Trey Christman (.305, 26 hits, 17 RBIs), sophomore outfielder Aydan Evans (.314, 22 hits, 19 RBIs) and sophomore catcher/outfielder/ pitcher Davis Neighbor (.328, 20 hits, 2.26 ERA, 4-1). Other key players are Will Wyles, Ryan Terrell (a Warhill transfer), Justin Smith, Luke Harlow, Joey Masiak, Brody Schultz, Paul Williams and Sean Sousa.
12. Lafayette
The Rams are led by Virginia commitandshortstop/pitcherLuke Hanson (.535, 23 runs), who was the Class 3 Region A Player of the Year and was all-state last season. They also have senior pitcher Kevin Cole (3-1), senior Price Whitaker (.426, 20 hits, 3 wins, 2 saves) and senior Blake Townsend (.333). Other contributors include Aidan Knoop, Sam St. Clair, Noah Amor, Logan Oliver and Elijah Matthews. Rams coach Matthew Mills said this group has what it takes to win a state championship.
13. Great Bridge
The Wildcats are led by junior infielder Norman Jackson (.579, 12 stolen bases), senior utility player Garrett Gargano (.270), senior infielder Trenton Evans (.270), junior pitcher Mike Keough (4-1, 1.30 ERA), junior Matthew Good (.423, 11 stolen bases), sophomore pitcher/infielder Caden Ward, junior infielder Jacob Breland, junior catcher Brady Miles and junior pitcher/infielder Adam Emhoff.
14. Gloucester
Dukes coach Gus Morande, who has 263 career wins, is excited about this season, “If we get both pitchers and defense, we will be competitive,” he said. They are led by senior catcher Colton Smith, senior third baseman Tripp Ready, senior pitcher Gabe Espiritu, junior shortstop/pitcher Camden Richardson and senior outfielder Daniel Giles.
15. Maury
The Commodores lost in the Class 5 Region A quarterfinals to eventual state champion Cox. Several members of that team, however, have transferred, including first-team All-Tidewater shortstop Tre Keels and second-team All-Tidewater outfielder Tayshaun Walton to IMG Academy in Florida, and second baseman Cam Johnson to Nansemond River. But coach Larry Gordon has plenty of talent returning, including pitcher and Virginia commit Cullen McKay, left-hander Matthew Phillips and first baseman Brian Jones.
The next five: Princess Anne, Bethel, Woodside, Kellam, Tabb.