2024 MIAA Baseball Preview
Spalding (A Conference) and Key (C) baseball hunt three-peats; defending champ McDonogh looks for second straight B crown
by Nelson Coffin
Two-time defending MIAA A Conference baseball champion Archbishop Spalding has the pitching to make it three straight this spring.
The Cavaliers will return one of the deepest pitching staffs in the state, with four Division 1-committed pitchers headlined by senior Jake Yeager (Maryland).
While Spalding’s strength can certainly be considered its pitching, the offense will be a big part of the attempt at a three-peat, senior infielder Carson Merritt, junior catcher Jack McNally and a number of hard-hitting colleagues from last year's title team are also looking to make their marks.
Seniors Carver Salazar (SS, UMBC), Merritt (UT, Randolph-Macon), Chase Taylor (UT, Messiah) and Brennan Inscoe (INF, Virginia Wesleyan) lead a group of future collegiate performers. Included in that group are juniors Nathan Wines (RHP, East Carolina), Peyton Mamula (RHP, Maryland), Brayden Robinson (RHP, West Virginia) and Theo Loughlin (1B/OF, Davidson).
John Carroll coach Darrion Siler, now in his 8th year as head coach, has the firepower to improve from last year’s 14-12 record in the A Conference.
The fun starts with junior Alabama commit Will Rhine, a huge contributor to last season's success by coming through in several critical situations. After all, he whiffed only eight times in 125 plate appearances, while batting .386 with three homers and 35 RBIs.
“He shows poise and high-game IQ — and is a true gamer, Siler said.
Junior UNC-Wilmington commit Casey Carpenter had a tremendous season at the plate (.340, 13 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 26 RBIs, 34 runs) with the glove, making only one error in 54 chances, which is “a testament to his prowess and ability,” Siler said. .
Another junior, Dallas Brooks, a catcher headed to Maryland, threw out nine would-be base stealers last spring and “was truly a field general, commanding the defense and calling all pitches. We do not call pitches for the team, instead we leave that to the catcher and pitcher,” Siler said. “Dallas worked really well with the pitching staff to come up with plans for each game, getting to know their strengths to help us get outs and stay in games. His leadership was integral for the team's success last year.”
One more future Terp, sophomore Miguel Leon, is the epitome of a terrific role player.
“Miguel is a super athletic player who can do a lot for the team on offense and on defense,” Siler said. “Miggy will make a major impact on the team and is already a leader as a sophomore. Look for him to have a breakout season. (There are) big things on the horizon for him.”
Junior Cam Leach returns this season looking to make noise with a power bat and has the ability to change any game with one swing.
“He has a ton of pop,” Siler said.
Siler said that Joey Coudon is an athletic utility player and pitcher with a ton of moxie when on the field, an all-around athlete who loves to compete. His fastball can reach the low 80s and his fielding is superb.
“Joey is clutch at the plate and was a major RBI machine for us in tough spots,” Siler added.
Sophomore Pierce Quinn joins the pitching staff when he’s not in the infield.
“Pierce impressed last season and looks even better already this spring,” Siler said. “On the mound he flashes 90 and has a ‘plus’ breaking pitch in his repertoire.”
A productive bat should also help the Patriots’ impressive offense.
Junior right-hander Brooks Mueller offers a heater as part of a three-pitch mix while looking to build on an impressive 2023 campaign and will be a big piece in this year's campaign.
Senior righty Aaron Snyder, a Chesapeake College commit, is the returning ace of the staff and poised to lead the pitching staff.
“Sitting in the mid-80's with a ton of movement on all his pitches, Aaron has a ton of ‘pitchability’ and a bulldog mentality,” Siler said.
Juniors Luca Santoro (OF/UT), Hayden Niedzialkowski (OF) and Nic Stockson (OF/LHP), with sophomore Brycen Altland (INF/RHP), round out the squad.
Siler contends that the Patriots will be one of the most impressive offensive teams in the state, “with batters 1-9 having the ability to change a game with one swing. JC returns a ton of players to the varsity, all of whom have made big strides in the offseason. The A Conference will have a lot of parity, and be very competitive. I like our chances. I like our guys.”
Loyola Blakefield coach Mike Kelly said that although the Dons will be a little younger this year in the A Conference, “We will see how the young guys progress throughout the season.”
Top returnees include senior catcher Jake Houk, a Maryland commit, and juniors right-hander Joe Nottingham (Georgia commit).
Juniors Brad Seiss (RHP/1B), Derek Seiss (SS/3B) and Gavin Pope (2B/RHP) lend ample support.
Kelly said that, at 6-feet, 5-inches, Nottingham entices with a 90-mph fastball that gives him “a ton of potential” while Pope’s versatility is very helpful as a lefty hitter and “may surprise” on the mound.
Brad Seiss also has a good heater and adds a power bat to the lineup to match Houk’s slugging ability. Derek Seiss can also play multiple positions and is solid at the plate.
“Pitching and defense will be the key for us,” Kelly said.
Senior Rider commit Michael Copenspire (1B, .302) joins juniors Kaden Barmer (OF, .349). Tommy Pilarski (3B, .322), George Washington commit Travis Peitz (SS), Mount St. Mary’s commit Nathan Rodriguez (P/OF, 3-2), Siena commit Will Haacke (OF) and Peter Bashore, P, 3-0) as the main cogs in A Conference runner-up Calvert Hall’s bid to improve on last year’s 18-13 record.
“Having only three seniors, we will rely heavily on talented underclassmen who played significantly last season,” CHC coach Brooks Kerr said. “Having made it to the championship game last year, and returning many starters, expectations are high.”
Archbishop Curley coach Joe Gaeta’s squad will be senior-heavy this spring, with 13 Friars in their final season.
The pitching staff is bolstered by returning pitchers; Carson Eddy, Austin Sealing, Nathaniel Welkos and Hunter Layhew (Frostburg) along wit new righty Owen Shaprow.
“Curley will go as far as the pitching takes them,” Gaeta said.
Returning seniors and all conference performers from last year, catcher Derek Poole (Harford Community College) and shortstop Austin Sealing (McDaniel), should provide the pop in the middle of the order with their bats, Gaeta continued.
“Depth will be the difference-maker as teams play three-game series against each other in the same week this season,” the coach revealed.
Look for outfielders Kevin Goedeke and Anthony Cerone, righty hurler Nathaniel Welkos and second baseman Ryan Parks to add their talents to the Friars’ fold.
College commits Elijah Ritter (Stevenson), Tony Scott (Wilson College), Danell Mann (College of Southern Maryland) and Ryan Parks (Notre Dame of Maryland University) round out the squad.
Defending champion McDonogh, which lost five seniors to graduation, still figures to be in the mix for a second consecutive crown in the MIAA B Conference.
Led by seniors Santino Sanchez (OF, Navy football commit) and Mason Zimmer (P), the Eagles will also feature juniors Billy Moore (INF) and Chase Borz (C).
Sophomores Leo Antwerpen (LHP), Austin McNair (CF) and Cooper Chasm (LHP) team with talented freshmen Andy Lambert (SS/P) and Jach Hortiz (P/INF) to bolster the lineup.
“We’re a young team,” McDonogh coach Matt Tuneski said. “Hopefully, the pitching will get better. We will be in the mix, but have to clean a few things up for us to be competitive down the stretch.”
Severn will be led by seniors Sean Ward (IF), Ben Campion (P/OF), juniors Caden Blanck (P/OF), Jr. Matt Fisher (P/1B) and Aiden Szydlik (C), sophomores Fletcher Warner (CF )and Brendan Szydlik (C) and freshman Andy Blanck (IF).
No. 1 starter Caden Blanck, who struck out a whopping 77 batters in only 39 innings in 2023, hopes to enjoy offensive production from top hitter Fisher and leadoff man Warner.
“The returning players have made their own significant improvement through the offseason, and will be complemented by newcomers Aiden Szydlik, Brendan Szydlik, and Andy Blanck,” Starr said. “Last year’s team played well against the top half of the conference, but could not score enough runs to get over the top.”
Severn coach Zak Starr said that his team, which posted a 6-10 record in league play last spring, is taking more of a challenging non-conference schedule to better prepare for stiff B Conference competition.
Boys’ Latin is looking forward to making a run at a B Conference crown under veteran coach Bill Greenwell.
"Most of our key players from last year are back,” he said, prior to taking off on a long road trip to North Carolina and South Carolina.
Strong leadership from senior captains, John Wedgeworth and Jed Lazenby will aid the cause, as will a solid pitching staff featuring juniors Jonah Stockton, Colton Bordick and Mark Windle sophomore Colin Barrett and Wedgeworth.
“Offensively, we need to be better than we were last year," Greenwell added. “We should have a combination of speed and power. I am counting on a big year at the plate from Wedgeworth, Bordick, Stockton, Windle, and junior Blake Shumate. I am very optimistic about this team. Last year, even though we were 10-6 in conference play, we were shut out of the playoffs. We have the guys to make a strong run this season."
After all, first baseman Luke Wanless will be playing his fourth season after hitting .386 as a junior with 12 RBIs and only four strikeouts in 57 at bats.
Seniors Caleb Couser (RHP/CF/SS) and Jackson Pflug (OF) and Jonathan Couser (C) figure to be the top guns for Concordia Prep coach Pete Couser this season after the Saints posted a 15-7 mark last spring.
The Saints came one game short of winning their third MIAA C Conference crown since 2019, falling to two-time champion Key in the second of two title games after a dramatic 12-inning comeback win in Game 1.
Five starters return, including Couser, who returns to anchor the pitching staff (4-1, 51 strikeouts, 2.77 ERA) and the offensive lineup (.478 BA, six home runs, 31 RBIs, 12 stolen bases).
Heavy-hitting Pflug is also back in the fold after collecting 26 hits with four home runs, 33 RBIs and a .553 average.
Although the C Conference has expanded from eight to 10 teams, with Friends and Pallotti on board, Concordia Prep seeks to reach the final playoff round for the fifth straight season.
What first-year Park coach Chris Hagan has learned about the Bruins is that they are a competitive group of ballplayers, most of whom are two-port athletes.
Ethan Kalvar, a soccer standout, and Landon Schapiro are part of a quartet of seniors that include twins Daniel and Jacob Wolf, who also star on the Park basketball team.
Veteran leadership and versatility are provided by seven versatile juniors .
“After completing a competitive run in the end of season championship tournament last season,” Hagan said. “The entire group is eager for another shot at the title.”
James Robbins, Sam Steinmeier, and Owen Cyr are skillful sophomores that work extremely hard in practice daily to continue to hone their skills and compete for playing time on a veteran-heavy ball club.
“The freshmen on the team are new to the MIAA, but certainly not new to baseball — and it shows,” Hagan added. “The young group is full of potential and will likely play a big part in the teams success this year.”
That’s not a bold prediction, considering that all BT students take a trip to Israel prior to graduation.
Frankel, though, has already made his presence felt by having a strong outing on the mound (4 IP, 1 H, 0 W) and at the plate (2R HR) in a 4-1 victory over Perry Hall Christian. He and cleanup hitter Simon (CF) both figure to help the Warriors earn a good playoff seeding before they depart.
By that time, juniors Oscar Wright (P/C) and Zack Rogers (P/SS) will be the elder statesmen to a talented rookie class, led by Ben Wahlberg (P/SS/3B.
“It’s an interesting team,” said BT coach Don Wright, noting the Warriors went 12-6 last spring. “They play like a veteran team — way beyond their years. The younger players are really going to have to help us in the playoffs, but we expect to be in the thick of things again.”
Led by seniors Kai Barner, Myles Thurston, Brock Nicholson, and William "Bubba" Brown, SFA is ready to rise to the occasion, he added.
“After a year lost to the challenges of COVID-19, which cut short their freshman campaign, and two previous playoff runs that fell short, our seniors are riding a wave of motivation,” Owens continued. “With their sights set on redemption and the belief that the third time (will be) the charm, they are poised to lead the team to new heights.”
Significant contributions are expected from juniors Leon Taylor and Dorian Goldston, adding depth and versatility to our lineup and pitching rotation.
“Together, under the leadership of our seniors and with the talent of our underclassmen, SFA is united in their pursuit of success, fueled by past setbacks and driven by the desire to make this season one to remember,” Owens concluded.
“We have a very young, exciting team with two freshmen leading the infield at shortstop, and first base,” Hart said. “We are ready for some baseball! Trust is knowing that when a team member pushes you, they're doing it because they care about the entire team....Really excited about the 2024 Baseball season.”