Spring Preview: High School Baseball

By Matt Brooks (Contact)

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Briar Woods (0-21, 0-14 Virginia AA Dulles District)

Coach: Josh Mosser, second year.

Key Players: C/3B/P Chris Wade, Jr. (.330 BA, 1 HR, 15 RBI); SS Gavin Scherer, Soph. (.315 BA, 12 runs, 5 SB); P Ian Hickman, Jr. (2.90 ERA, 33 strikeouts in 29 IP); OF Alex Munro, Sr. (.285 BA, 8 RBI, 10 runs).

Key Losses: DH Jack Ater; LF Devin Barber.

Outlook: Although their record might not show it, the Falcons improved in their second season, avoiding the shutouts and no-hitters that marked their inaugural campaign. And Briar Woods already has Friday's 7-1 win against Warren County to its credit this season. This year's squad is still very young but if the pitching staff can provide consistent outings and keep them in games, Briar Woods' much-improved offense could surprise some teams.

From the Dugout: "The program goal is to host a first-round district tournament game this year, which would mean a top-four finish. I think that the Falcons will compete with every program in the Dulles District, and will approach a .500 record this season." - Coach Mosser

Broad Run (14-10, 11-3, Virginia AA Dulles District regular-season champions)

Coach: Pat Cassidy, 12th year (2007 district coach of the year).

Key Players: LHP Cole Shain, Sr. (7-2, 1.02 ERA, 58 IP, led district in all three categories); RHP Trey Brocke, Sr. (second team All-District); SS Chris Jessop, Jr. (.395 BA, first team All-District); DH Ryan Diviney, Sr. (.338 BA, first team All-District).

Key Loss: OF Stephen Hershey (.410 BA, first team All-District)

Outlook: The Spartans rode the arm of first team All-District starter and William and Mary signee Cole Shain (12-5 over the last two seasons) to their first regular season title since 1996. Unlike most of the rest of the district, Broad Run returns all but three members of last year's Region II semifinalist squad.

From the Dugout: "Our strength is our returning starting pitching. We're looking to improve on being consistent offensively, but pitching and team defense are our strengths." - Coach Cassidy

Dominion (13-7, 8-6 Virginia AA Dulles District)

Coach: Jay Raines, fifth year.

Key Players: 2B/P Chris Taylor, Jr. (59 strikeouts in 53 IP, first team All-District, second team All-Region as 2B); DH/P Geoff McCowat, Sr. (.441 BA, second team All-District).

Key Loss: 3B Jordan Taylor (first team All-District).

Outlook: The Titans will rely on the one-two punch of Chris Taylor and Geoff McCowat to anchor a strong staff. Taylor throws in the mid-80's and McCowat also gives Dominion a big bat in the middle of the lineup. Taylor will also be called on to take over his older brother Jordan's spot at third base.

From the Dugout: "We lost a lot of seniors but I still believe that we will be competitive in the District. We have to gain some confidence and do the little things right." - Coach Raines

Freedom-South Riding (5-17, 2-12 Virginia AA Dulles District)

Coach: Chris Bourassa, third year.

Key Players: CF/P Jeremy Rilko, Jr. (led Eagles in SB last two seasons); SS/P Kyle Groome, Jr; P/3B Ali Moosvi, Jr. (No. 1 in rotation, injured but hopes to return by late March); 1B Kyle Severns, Jr. (transfer from Washington state); C Matt Murphy, Fr.

Key Losses: OF Justin Anderson (second team All-District); P/3B Kyle Howard (led Eagles in IP); C Mike Diaddigo (threw out 8 of 17 base-runners attempting to steal).

Outlook: Despite struggling throughout much of the regular season, the Eagles ended things on a high note with an upset of second-seeded Park View in the district tournament quarterfinals. They'll look to build on that win by relying on speedy leadoff hitter Jeremy Rilko and transfer Kyle Severns's pop in the middle of the lineup to give their young pitchers enough run support while they develop early in the season.

From the Dugout: "The key will be how our young and inexperienced pitching staff performs. We must improve on our percentage of first-pitch strikes and continue to work ahead in the count. If the pitchers can keep us in games, the hitting and defense should be improved over the past two seasons and the team will battle to the last out." - Coach Bourassa

Heritage (13-8, 8-6 Virginia AA Dulles District)

Coach: Ryan Price, third year.

Key Players: SP/1B John Rogerson, Sr. (No. 1 starter, fourth year on varsity); SS Brenton Peters, Jr. (leadoff hitter, second year on varsity).

Key Losses: The Pride lost seven starters to graduation, including four pitchers, 2B Jacob Martinez (second team All-District) and OF Joey Donofrio (second team All-Region).

Outlook: While several Dulles District teams suffered the loss of large graduating classes, no team was hit harder than the Pride. With only two members of last year's starting nine returning, chemistry will be the key as Price's team improves over the course of the season. This young team could be a factor by the time the district tournament rolls around.

From the Dugout: "I think this team can compete for the Dulles District title, and will be right up there on the final day of the season. We have traditionally played well late in the season, especially at home, so hopefully that will continue." - Coach Price

Loudoun County (11-10, 8-6 Virginia AA Dulles District)

Coach: Thomas Lucero.

Key Players: OF Brett Tagg, Jr. (second team All-District).

Key Losses: P Joe Strange (first team All-District); C Chris Eder (first team All-District); 1B Kevin Kabernagel (second team All-District),

Outlook: The 2006 Dulles District Champs were bounced in the quarter-finals of the district tournament by eventual champion Potomac Falls. Like most of the teams in the league, they lost several key players to graduation and will be looking to rebuild in 2008 around a core of young talent.

Loudoun Valley (21-4, Virginia AAA National District champions)

Coach: Wayne Todd, 12th year.

Key Players: C Wes Walker, Jr.; P Austen Davis, Sr.; P/OF Adam Reed.

Key Losses: OF Charlie Sperduto, P/1B Jacob Mays, P Scott Nelson, C Trevor Ikwild, OF Carson Parker, 3B Mike Shanholtzer, 2B Clyde Kessler.

Outlook: The Vikings cruised through the National District without dropping a single game and fell to Oakton in the AAA Northern Region quarterfinals. But this year's squad returns only one starter and will break in a whole new pitching staff. The Vikings will also be adjusting to the AAA Cedar Run District this season.

From the Dugout: "We will need to get better as the season goes on because our schedule early is really tough. We lost our entire pitching staff from last year so we are starting over with our younger players. I would hope that we can grow up during our season and become a very polished team by the end." - Coach Todd

Park View (13-8, 10-4 Virginia AA Dulles District)

Coach: Mickey Leap, seventh year.

Key Players: C Dylan Smith, Sr. (second team All-District); SS Billy Bradley, Sr. (three-year starter); 2B Adam Foltz, Sr. (three-year starter); P/INF Jimmy Kerby, Sr.; OF/P Jonathan Mason, Jr.

Key Losses: P/1B/3B Kyle Irish; P/SS Matt Griffin; 1B/P David Laub; OF/C Tyler Spurlock.

Outlook: Without the all-everything Irish and several other key graduates, they'll need big production from senior middle infielders Billy Bradley and Adam Foltz along with consistency from Kerby and Mason on the mound if they hope to challenge Broad Run and Potomac Falls at the top of the district.

From the Dugout: "We have a very close team that will play hard. If our young pitching staff competes, we could be in the thick of the district at the end." - Coach Leap

Potomac Falls (16-9, 9-5, Virginia AA Dulles District tournament champions)

Coach: Joe Terango, 11th year.

Key Players: 1B Aaron Sweger, Sr. (.506 BA, Dulles District player of the year); SP Jake Kline, Jr.; SP Mike Detaranto, Jr.; 3B Rob Malan, Jr. (second team All-District).

Key Losses: CF Cory Flickinger; RF John Bracken; 2B Nick Paganelli.

Outlook: With loads of experience coming back from last year's Region II semifinalist squad, the Panthers are primed to battle Broad Run for the regular-season district title. They have two reliable arms in juniors Kline and Detaranto, but the team's strength, as it was last season, will be its hitting. Sweger anchors a potent lineup with a great mix of power and speed that will give opposing pitchers trouble all season long.

From the Dugout: "I believe we have a good group of ballplayers and are talented in various areas of the field. We should have the capability to compete each night in the Dulles District but it will all depend on team chemistry and how well we end up fitting together as a unit on the field." - Coach Terango

Stone Bridge (17-8, 10-4 AAA Liberty District)

Coach: Sam Plank, eighth year.

Key Players: OF/RHP John Bladel, Jr. (.418 BA, first team All-District and All-Region); SP/3B Tyler Basso, Sr. (6-1, 2.22 ERA), SS Mike Stancik (.342 BA, first team All-District and All-Region).

Key Loss: Jeron Gouveia (.359 BA, 22 RBI, 14 SB).

Outlook: The Bulldogs advanced to the AAA Northern Region semifinals last season before falling to South County, 9-4. They'll rely heavily on John Bladel to lead the offense and senior hurler Tyler Bosso to anchor the rotation after dominating opponents last season. With eight seniors back, they have the experience to challenge for a title in a very competitive Liberty District.

From the Dugout: "If this team can stay healthy I think we can have a special season. We have eight seniors who have been in the program and are very committed. We have to play very well in district play to beat the likes of Madison and Langley. The Liberty district is very talented and you have to show up every night." - Coach Plank

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks