Deep Hickory starts on top of area
Hawks hope to break through after two Class 5 runner-up appearances
Storylines
Hawks still rock: Hickory has advanced to the Class 5 state championship game two consecutive seasons, but the Hawks have come up just short, losing 2-1 to Stone Bridge in the final last year. With two of the best pitchers in Hampton Roads in the circle, an elite catcher to handle them and those three among many potent bats, Hickory might just bring home that first-place trophy this season.
Nansemond River star is sidelined:
Cammie Stuffel, a Nansemond River senior, enjoyed one of the greatest seasons in area history a year ago, batting .635 with a Virginia High School League-record 18 home runs for the Class 5 Region B champs. But she underwent shoulder surgery recently and, while she should be good to go for UNC Wilmington in the fall, a few late-season swings might be the most the All-Tidewater Player of the Year gets this spring.
The Hawks must deal with Kellam:
The Knights made it all the way to the Class 6 state semifinals a year ago behind the bat and arm of state Class 6 Player of the Year Abby Adamek. Adamek makes the Knights a threat to Hickory as they move into Class 5 Region A, because she is the area’s best returning pitcher. And, with seniors Ava McMichael and Grace Andes back, the Knights are far from a one-player team.
Nansemond-Suffolk and Greenbrier Christian defend state titles:
Not even the graduation of two-time All-Tidewater Player of the Year Madison Inscoe kept Nansemond-Suffolk Academy from four-peating as VISAA Division II state champions last spring.
Greenbrier Christian Academy rebounded from a rare state championship miss in 2022 to win a 13th VISAA Division III title. Pitchers Marin McGowan (NSA) and Linda Hodge (GCA) are two big reasons both will remain contenders.
Other teams to watch: Grassfield and Western Branch give Hampton Roads two state threats in Class 6. Senior-laden Granby is the Class 5 Region B favorite, while Menchville and Nansemond River should fight it out for the second state tournament berth. Gloucester, Smithfield and Manor are poised to battle for the two state spots in Class 4 Region A. Perennial Class 3 Region A power New Kent should get a push from 2023 state runner-up York and region newcomer Grafton for state berths, while experienced Poquoson aims for a repeat Class 2 state berth.
757Teamz Top 15
1. Hickory: After Tegan Gabrielse pitched the Hawks into the state championship game in 2022 as a freshman with 15 victories, Emily Miller was the freshman pitching sensation for the Hawks (20-5) a year ago, winning 10 of 12 decisions down the stretch. In addition to All-Tidewater catcher Cali Megaro, Miller (.429 batting average, 31 RBIs), Gabrielse (.313, four home runs), shortstop Alena Demakas (.417, 24 runs), sophomore outfielder Riley Reynolds (.386, 25 runs) and sophomore outfielder Taylor Ryan (.438, only one strikeout) can all hit.
2. Kellam: P Abby Adamek (23-2, 0.89 ERA, .325 batting average), OF Ava McMichael (.390 avg.) and IF Grace Andes (.288 avg.), all seniors, are the most experienced players, with all having started since they were freshmen. But, in shortstop Hannah Lebert, third baseman Chloe Jackson and catcher Carson Schakel, the Knights (23-2) have a trio of excellent-fielding juniors who contributed key hits to the Class 6 state semifinal run.
3. Nansemond-Suffolk: Everyone returns from the VISAA Division II state championship team, including first-team all-state selections Ellie Benes (.455 BA, 38 RBIs), Malli Groves (.458 BA, 33 RBIs, six home runs), Addy Smith, Kayla Kosiorek and state Player of the Year Marin McGowan (13-7 pitching, .348 BA). Second-team pick Rylea Nelms and three promising newcomers give the Saints (19-7) a team perhaps deeper than its previous four state champs.
4. Grassfield: Maryland recruit Bailey Murphy was among the graduation losses, but the returning group is so strong that the Grizzlies (19-6) can contend for a return trip to the Class 6 state tournament. There’s SS Mya Davis (.359 BA), OF Addison Casassa (.320, four home runs), P Braelyn Bailey (.359, four home runs), C Emerson Grace Hatcher (.495, 15 stolen bases) and Cydney LaFon (.366, 15 RBIs). Bailey and Chase Hartford combined for 181 strikeouts in 146 innings, so the pitching is first-rate.
5. Granby: The senior class important to consecutive state tournament trips should make the Comets (19-5) a shoo-in to reach that level again: OF Destiny Harris (.475, nine home runs, 41 RBIs), OF Taylor Langston (.500,
six home runs), C Cam Hamilton (.442, nine home runs, 39 RBIs), Lovie Norman (.486) and Shaka Holmes (.352) are among their top players. Sophomore Anwynn Williams (.522) is a big hitter, too.
6. Greenbrier Christian: Linda Hodge (1.70 ERA) and Haleigh Murphy (0.89 ERA) give the Gators a strong one-two pitching punch in their quest for a repeat state title. All-state players SS Elizabeth Thome (.381) and C Cayden Thomas (.412) are solid offensively and defensively, while Maleah Hinkens is a great contact hitter. An ACL tear slowed Thomas last year, so having her for a full season will make the Gators stronger.
7. Western Branch: The Bruins (17-4) lost two top-flight players in Louisville recruit Jacquelyn Hasty and Hayley Luginbill from a team whose 4-3 upset loss to Grassfield in the region tournament short-circuited legitimate state title hopes. With Anna Kerns joining Ava Giacometti and Kassidy O’Neail in the pitching circle, a drastic rebuild is not in order. Having back the bats of Maddie Lemasters (.478, three home runs) and Marissa Bernheimer helps.
8. Poquoson: While New Kent is the Bay Rivers District favorite as always, Poquoson has lots of pieces to contend, starting with
Brooklyn Arneault (15-3 pitching, .362 BA), C Alyssa Laney (.415 avg., 32 runs), AJ Smith (21 RBIs) and Taylor Jones (.319, 22 RBIs). The Islanders reached the Class 2 state quarterfinals in 2023 and will look to go farther this season.
9. First Colonial: With a solid one-two pitching punch in seniors Kate Beck (97 strikeouts) and Kailey Jackson (12-4, 1.90 ERA, 84 strikeouts), the Patriots (18-6) will look to contend for a second consecutive Class 5 state tournament appearance. Beck (.388 BA, 20 runs), SS Aimee Ord (.329, 28 runs) and athletic 1B Imari Bond (.302) can all swing the bat.
10. Grafton: With a new coach (Kevin Montini) in what was essentially a rebuilding season, the Clippers (16-6) fared nicely, although their 4-2 region semifinal loss to Smithfield that cost them their customary state tournament spot did sting. Outfield standout Michayla Holley (.523 BA, 34 RBIs), 1B Emma Day (.317), 3B Paige Sherman (.314), P Emerson Sweeney (10-2), SS Mackenzie Mongillo and P Hailey Lewis return experience.
11. Kempsville: The Chiefs (13-8) had a five-run lead going into the bottom of the seventh against Hickory with a state tournament berth on the line a year ago, only
to succumb 12-10 to three home runs — Riley Reynolds’ threerun walkoff included. Seven seniors graduated, but C Madeline Lane, P Madison Talley, OF Arianna Ferguson and newcomer IF Ryleigh Rivera will keep the Chiefs competitive.
12. Nansemond River: As difficult as Cammie Stuffel’s injury is, the graduation of left-hander Cierra Gawryluk means none of the pitching standouts from the 2021 state title team remain. Plenty of good players return for the defending Class 5 Region B champion Warriors (19-4): all-region 1B Taylor Shrek, now a pitcher; all-region OF Sierra Scott; all-region IF Demetria Burton.
13. Menchville: The Monarchs went 17-1 in winning the Peninsula District a year ago and are the favorites again until someone else proves otherwise. It helps to have the top player in the league in senior catcher Kinsey Knapp (.667 BA, eight home runs, 38 RBIs). The return of three more all-district seniors in SS Arianna Maldonado, 1B Emma Ingalls and OF Olivia Rivera could be the edge for the Monarchs in the district.
14. Great Bridge: Parker Rowden’s graduation hurts because she was the pitching ace for several seasons, and the Wildcats (15-5) move from Class 4 to the far more competitive environs of Class 5 Region A. Mary Washington recruit OF Bayly Yerigan (.390 BA), 2B Aubrey Steckline (.375) and SS Hannah Ferrell (.370) bring experience, but the play of freshman pitchers Kassidy Dashiell and Bailey Bliven will be a big key to success.
15. Kecoughtan: The Warriors (17-3) lost only two players from their best team in years. All-region first-team pitcher Skylar Ackerman (1.35 ERA, 141 strikeouts) leads a large group of returners that includes C Kingsleigh Guinn (.423 avg., 23 RBIs), 1B Alexis Bartlett (.415 avg.), 3B Madison Runge (20 runs), CF Lynlea Boone (.365 avg., 37 runs), Rylie Francis (.404 avg.) and Ava McKeel (300 avg.).
The next five: Smithfield, Deep Creek, Gloucester, York, Ocean Lakes.
Five players you should know
Abby Adamek, Kellam: Adamek’s dominant season in the circle included a 23-2 record and 235 strikeouts in 165 innings pitched. She had 15 strikeouts in a state quarterfinal victory, and she batted. 325 with three home runs.
Cali Megaro, Hickory: A Class 6 all-state first-team selection at catcher, Megaro batted .547 with four home runs and 32 RBIs, while striking out only once all season against one of the area’s toughest schedules.
Marin McGowan, Nansemond-Suffolk: She pitched the Saints to the VISAA Division II state title in 2023 with 154 strikeouts in 97 ⅔ innings, including 10 in the state championship-game victory. She batted .348 with four home runs and was the state Player of the Year.
Kinsey Knapp, Menchville: Knapp has been putting up big numbers since starring for the Monarchs’ Peninsula District champs as a freshman. In her junior season last year, she batted .667 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs.
Destiny Harris, Granby: The LSU recruit and reigning Eastern District Player of the Year might be the area’s toughest out with Cammie Stuffel sidelined. She batted .479 with nine home runs and 41 RBIs a year ago.