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By Greg Williams
West Virginia Director of Scouting

 
Today we continue our season preview content which will run for three weeks leading up to the start of the 2016 high school season. We will take a look at all four regions and each classification in those regions separately. Today we turn our focus to Class AAA teams that compete in Region II. 

PRESEASON Forecast

One year removed from making back-to-back appearances Notre Dame will attempt to make another trip to Charleston out of Region II. Behind the strength of a pair of senior arms in RHP Jordan Miller and LHP Josh Baker, the Irish should be among the favorites to do so out of Region II. In what could end up a three horse race, South Harrison returns an experienced lineup as does Pendleton County likely making this race to the title one of the more competitive regionals in the state.

preseason player of the year

Braeden Hurst, SS/RHP, South Harrison (Class of 2016)
The 5-foot-8, 150-pound two-way standout was a 2nd Team All-State selection in 2015. Hurst was among the team leaders in nearly every offensive category as a junior hitting .398 while scoring 38 runs and while striking out just three times. Hurst also swiped 19 bases in 21 attempts and went 6-2 with a 1.58 ERA on the mound. The righty struck out 44 batters in 44.1 innings of work while walking just 11 batters.

top prospects

1. Braeden Hurst, 2016, SS/RHP, South Harrison
2. Jordan Miller, 2016, RHP/3B, Notre Dame
3. Ian Riggleman, 2016, OF, South Harrison
4. Josh Baker, 2016, 1B/LHP, Notre Dame
5. Jacob Montgomery, 2016, 1B, South Harrison
6. Dakota Jarrett, 2017, 2B, South Harrison

SEASON PREVIEW SCHEDULE

3/5   - Class AAA - Region IV
3/7   - Class AAA - Region III
3/9   - Class AAA - Region II
3/11 - Class AAA - Region I
3/13 - Class AA - Region IV
3/15 - Class AA - Region III
3/17 - Class AA - Region II
3/21 - Class AA - Region IV
3/23 - Class AA - Region III
3/25 - Class AA - Region II
3/27 - Class AA - Region I