Storylines
New coaches, some familiar names
A long list of new coaches in Hampton Roads includes Ty Rivers (Nansemond River), Robbie Butler (Maury), Larry Gordon (Oscar Smith), Larry Bowles (Indian River), Chris Dotolo (Cape Henry), John Brinkley (Lakeland), Nick Ham (York), Nick Tugwell (Denbigh), Myron Campbell (Green Run), Billy Marn (Tabb) and John Bivens (Phoebus). Butler previously was Granby’s longtime coach, while Gordon led Maury and Bowles coached Oscar Smith.
Nansemond River welcomes new coach, star player
Ty Rivers played for coach Mark Stuffel at Nansemond River, then played in college at Radford. “Now I have decided to give back to the program who gave me and my family 12 great years,” Rivers said. Added Stuffel: “He played for me a long time ago. He’s going to be a great coach.” Rivers also is excited to have Darnell Parker Jr. on his roster. Parker, a Washington State University signee and MLB draft prospect, moved back to Suffolk after playing at IMG Academy in Florida. “I have known him since 7U, and now we get a chance to finish our journey together, which rarely happens,” Rivers said. “The bond we have will make the finish of this season even sweeter.”
Bowles fills big shoes at Indian River
For the first time since 1984, Indian River will have a new coach. Larry Bowles replaced longtime coach Steve West. During his tenure, West led the Braves to numerous Southeastern District titles, made several region appearances and led Indian River to a region runner-up finish in 2008 and the school’s lone state tournament appearance. With nearly 500 victories, he is among the state’s winningest high school baseball coaches.
Trojans hope to continue dominance
Walsingham Academy won its fourth consecutive VISAA Division III state title last season. Coach Ian Heisel thinks the Trojans can make it five. “We have a core group of kids who have played together for a number of years,” he said. “This is one of the oldest teams I’ve ever had. We had a strong offseason. Our lineup will be deep. Offensively and defensively we will be strong.” Leading the way will be seniors Trey Christman, Ryan Terrell and Joey Masiak.
Support for Autism Awareness
Several 757 teams will participate in an Autism Awareness game next month. 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: April 4 — Grassfield at Indian River, 5:30 p.m.; April 6 — Kellam at Landstown, 4 p.m.; Nansemond River at Western Branch, 5:30 p.m.; Deep Creek at Great Bridge, 5:30 p.m.; Lakeland vs. Oscar Smith at Harbor Park, 5:30 p.m.; April 21 — Salem at Princess Anne, 4 p.m.; April 28 — Atlantic Shores at Greenbrier Christian, 6 p.m.
757Teamz Top 15
1. Cape Henry
First-year Dolphins coach Chris Dotolo has plenty of talent from the reigning VISAA Division I state championship team. They are led by SS/P Tanner Schaedel, C/1B Cooper Angilly, 3B/P/C Jack Wickum, CF/P Andrew Hart, 2B/P Yoon Chen, 1B/P Parker Wight and OF/P Garrison Wight. “Our team has a lot of returning players with experience in big games and understand our program philosophy and what it takes to win a state championship,” Dotolo said.
2. Grassfield
Grizzlies coach Gary Spedden has a nice mix of experienced and up-and-coming players. They will be led by senior first baseman Jacob Henry (.431), senior shortstop Maddox Tsutsui (.422), senior catcher Jacob Bunch (.393), senior second baseman Quinn Canning (.333) and junior third baseman/catcher Ryan Hoeft (.310). Bradley Zayac (2-0, 1.96 ERA) and Jacob Henry (3-0, 0.78 ERA) lead the pitching staff.
3. Greenbrier Christian
Gators coach Patrick Nichols believes his team has the pieces in place to make a third consecutive state championship-game appearance. They finished runner-up in 2022 and won it in 2021. They are led by junior shortstop and Virginia commit Bubba Sawyer, senior Nico Angrisani and sophom*ore pitcher Tucker Rupe, the son of former MLB pitcher and Greenbrier Christian star Josh Rupe. They also have junior catcher Mikey Urbaniak, sophom*ore pitcher/infielder Dylan Wood and senior pitcher Jacob Hemmis.
4. Nansemond River
First-year coach Ty Rivers has several players from last season’s team, which lost in the Class 5 state semifinals. They will be led by Darnell Parker Jr., Aden Judge, Thomas Wolfe, Caden Mintz and Buddy Baker. Parker is a Washington State signee and MLB draft prospect. “We have everything we need to be successful this season,” Rivers said. “We prepare the right way each day and we expect to be standing in the end.”
5. Ocean Lakes
The Dolphins will be led by senior pitchers Blake Dickerson (Virginia Tech commit) and Peter Philips (VMI). They also have C/DH Nick Ventrice (Randolph Macon), P/1B Aidan Massa (Eastern Mennonite), C Ryan Gocio (James Madison), 3B Colin Benson (.340), P/OF Tavon Williams (Virginia Wesleyan) and OF Damon Luebke (.417).
6. Cox
The Falcons will be led by senior pitcher/first baseman Michael Irby (.357), senior infielder Joe Munitz (.462), junior third baseman Austin Irby (.381) and senior utility player Riley DeCandido. Cox coach Matt Ittner said this is an experienced group “hungry to prove themselves.”
7. First Colonial
Coach Scott Stubbe said the pitching staff — highlighted by David Hall and Casey Proctor — will lead the way. He’ll also count on C Jack Stephens, OF Quinton Adams, OF Ben Hampton, IF Luke Bosher, OF Hunter Bosher and 1B Keegan Haesler.
8. Western Branch
The Bruins will be led by seniors Nic Poole (JMU) and Carter Craun. They also have LHP Gavin Biernot (VMI), junior Joshua Wright (.305), Jacob Wright (.300), PJ Tone (.290) and Logan Adams (.295). “This group has a chance to make a deep run into the season,” coach Roland Wright said. “They are faced with a competitive schedule that should help them late in the season. They are an exciting group that loves to play for each other.”
9. Menchville
Coach Phil Forbes, in his 35th season, should have a strong team with junior utility player Zach Davis, junior shortstop/pitcher Landon Turner and junior catcher Chance Jones. They also have VCU signee Jay Clements, Joseph Helmsderfer and James Blotter, who will play multiple positions, and junior catcher Chance Jones.
10. Walsingham Academy
The Trojans, seeking a fifth consecutive state championship, are led by William & Mary commit Trey Christman, senior infielder/pitcher Ryan Terrell (.361, 34 runs; 3-0, 1.81 ERA), senior pitcher Joey Masiak (5-2, 3.33 ERA, 37 strikeouts), junior outfielder and Ohio State commit Luke Harlow (.358 ave., 22 RBIs, 24 SBs), George Washington commit Sean Sousa (.352, 20 RBIs), Hampden-Sydney commit Davis Neighbor (.400 avg., 8-0, 2.25 ERA, 53 strikeouts), OF Will Wyles (.385, 22 runs, 11 RBIs), OF Ayden Evans (.375, 29 RBIs) and catcher Brody Schultz (.271 avg.).
11. Kellam
The Knights are led by a core group of seniors: Tyler Smith, Grayden Howell, Nick Psimas, Mason Sylvest and Tristan Bair. They also have juniors Mason Yavoich, Grayson Kinzel and Russell Brewster.
12. Maury
Robbie Butler returns to the dugout after taking a year off. He coached 14 seasons at Granby. The Commodores are led by seniors Brian Jones and Carson Goad, junior Brycen Hamilton and sophom*ores Hunter Gillespie and Derek Baker, the son of legendary former Maury basketball coach Jack Baker.
13. Gloucester
The Dukes — 16-4 last season — will be led by C Hank Hardaway, INF Cam Richardson, 1B Braden Hudgins, P/INF Austin Shackelford and P/OF Dylan Deyoung.
14. Landstown
The Eagles return eight starters from a team that lost in the Class 6 Region A semifinals. They include senior Matt Weber, a second-team All-Tidewater and all-region pick who batted .339 with 13 RBIs and 12 runs. On the mound, he was 8-2 with a 1.06 ERA and 72 strikeouts. The Eagles also have Luke Ashbury, Kyle Flora, Trey Campos, Jackson Okonkwo, Colin Kim, Jordan Hunt and George Chevalier.
15. Granby
Coach Blake Dooley guided the Comets to the Class 5 state semifinals in his first year, but they lost six starters from that team. All-state players Jaxon Gonzalez and Daniel Smith, along with all-region selection Hector Rivera, return.
The next five: Lafayette, Kempsville, Atlantic Shores, Princess Anne, Woodside.
Five players you should know
Blake Dickerson, Ocean Lakes
The senior left-hander was first-team All-Tidewater with a 1.98 ERA and 90 strikeouts last season. The Virginia Tech commit pitched on the United States 18U team and is ranked No. 78 on the MLB.com list of top draft prospects. He was known in Hampton Roads and around the state, but earned national recognition on the summer showcase circuit with his 92 mph fastball and mid-80s change-up.
Darnell Parker Jr., Nansemond River
The senior shortstop played for IMG Academy the past several seasons, but transferred to Nansemond River to play for first-year Warriors coach Ty Rivers, who was his personal trainer since he was 8. Parker, a Washington State University signee and MLB draft prospect, played in the Hank Aaron 44 Invitational, hosted by Ken Griffey Jr., for the country’s top 44 African American players, and in the Minority Baseball Prospects All-American Game. He also participated in the Future Stars Main Event at Fenway Park in September for New Balance’s top 50 players. He is ranked by perfectgame.org as the No. 11 player and No. 2 shortstop in Virginia.
Trey Christman, Walsingham Academy
The William & Mary commit was first-team All-Tidewater last season as he helped lead the Trojans to the VISAA Division III state title. He batted .333 with 32 runs, 27 hits, 16 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and five home runs.
Daniel Smith, Granby
The junior pitcher was first-team All-Tidewater after he led the Comets to the Class 5 state semifinals. He went 7-1 with a 2.04 ERA, including a 3-0 record in the postseason, and allowed just one earned run. He also helped lead Fleet Park to a runner-up finish at the Senior League Baseball World Series.
Tanner Schaedel, Cape Henry
The junior infielder/pitcher was named first-team All-Tidewater and first-team all-state after he led the Dolphins to the VISAA Division I state title. His two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Dolphins the title. He batted .407 with 31 runs and 19 RBIs. On the mound, he was 8-0 with a 1.53 ERA and 45 strikeouts.
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com. Twitter @LHRubama
