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AMHERST

Classification: VHSL 4A / Region D    2022 Record: 11-10

Paging Dalton Wentz (South Carolina). Wentz is one of the best players in the state, regardless of class. The Gamecocks commit can do it on the mound and at the plate. Wentz is my preseason 4A State Player of the Year because of how he can affect the game, on the mound or at the plate. A young player to keep an eye on is freshman Jayden Davis. Davis has the tools to be a potential impact player for Amherst. The Lancers should be a upperclass heavy team and if their arms can get run support and the Lancers can provide a solid second arm, then Amherst could be back in the playoffs in late May. 

Key Returners:

BLACKSBURG

Classification: VHSL 4A / Region D     2022 Record: 7-11

Blacksburg stayed in some games with some good teams last year, and snuck out a few solid wins, especially in the second half of the season. The Bruins had over half a dozen seniors on a sub .500 team, so there will be a lot of experience that they need to replace, but they have some talented underclassmen that got a wealth of experience last year. Sophomores Brice Abbott and John Michael Szefc should be leaders on this Bruins team and will be two of the better pieces in the lineup. Keep an eye out for potential contributions from another sophomore, Major Marshall. The Bruins will need to find some go to arms, because their inability to hold down opposing offenses was their biggest area of concern. 

Key Returners:

 

EC GLASS

Classification: VHSL 4A / Region D     2022 Record: 12-10

EC Glass has the potential on the mound to be a force in 4A. Michael Harpster (ETSU) is a big time frontline arm and can shut down any opponent, as he showed last year versus the eventual 3A State Champion, Liberty Christian Bulldogs. They have a handful of returners and with their arms, they will be a tough out in May, but in order to make that push into consideration for a state championship type of team they will have to find some

offensive production. 

Key Returners:

HALIFAX

Classification: VHSL 4A / Region D     2022 Record: 17-6

One of the most storied programs in southwest Virginia and the state as a whole is returning a few really solid arms in 2023. Mason Hatcher (Radford) could have a breakout spring for the Comets and will be accompanied by Trey Comer on the mound. Joshua Gunn should be a big part of the offense, along with Hatcher. The Comets will be able to pitch it with the best of them, but will need to find a way to score some runs versus strong opposing arms when they get to playoff time. 

Key Returners:

JEFFERSON FOREST

Classification: VHSL 4A / Region D     2022 Record: 21-5 *Lost in state semis*

The state semi-finalist Cavaliers return the bulk of their 2022 team. Breckin Nace (Lynchburg), Sam Bell (UMBC), Luke Gouldthorpe (Longwood), Landon Mitchell, and Connor Lane are all returning from a strong year. A twenty-one win season is a serious accomplishment and I would not be shocked to see JF up that total by a few in 2023. They have the depth on the mound, the experience at the plate, and are a well coached group. Long story short, the Cavaliers are my front runner in 4A. 

Key Returners:

 

WESTERN ALBEMARLE

Classification: VHSL 4A / Region D    2022 Record: 17-3

Western Albemarle won thirteen out of fourteen games at one point. However, the Warriors were upset by EC Glass in the first round of the playoffs. They return frontline arm and power bat, Ben Winslow (Yale), along with infielder Daniel Jones and Liam Rush (Mary Washington). The Warriors will need to give Winslow some help on the mound to help out with the loss of Luke Craytor, who is now at Lafayette. 

Key Returners: