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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 III. 

PRESEASON Forecast

One year removed from a season ending 10-8 loss to Greenbrier East in the regional finals, the Ripley Vikings appear to be primed to make a trip to Charleston in 2016. The Vikings return six of nine every day starters and 2/3 of their pitching staff from a year ago making them the early season favorite to earn the bid to the state tournament from Region III.

preseason player of the year

Christopher Jordan, SS, Ripley (Class of 2016)
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitter repeats as the Player of the Year after receiving the same recognition as a junior in 2015. All Jordan did a year ago was put up numbers that earned him another 1st Team All-State selection. The West Virginia State recruit hit .495 with 19 doubles, five triples, three home runs and drove in 36 runs.

top prospects

[mouse over pics for player names] 

1. Druw Bowen, 2016, RHP/OF, George Washington (WVU football)
2. Christopher Jordan, 2016, SS, Ripley (WV State)
3. Josh Petit, 2017, SS, George Washington
4. Michael Maiolo, 2018,RHP, Woodrow Wilson
5. Anthony Jarvis, 2017, C, Ripley
6. Brian Schack, 2016, SS, Shady Spring
7. Trevor Sampson, 2016, 2B, South Charleston
8. Ben Arthur, 2017, OF, George Washington
9. Cody Pittenger, 2016, OF, Ripley (Surry CC)
10. Brandon Chandler, 2016, RHP/3B, South Charleston

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
3/19 - Class AA - Region I
3/21 - Class AA - Region IV
3/23 - Class AA - Region III
3/25 - Class AA - Region II
3/27 - Class AA - Region I