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Preseason Elite Eight: Top Eight Teams in Each Class (No. 4)

March 20, 2014

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

In the spirit of March Madness the first rendition of the Prep Baseball Report Elite Eight Rankings are being released this week. We will be counting up to No. 1 with one new team in each classification being released each day until we unveil the No. 1 team in each. Following is a look at the teams ranked No. 4 in their respective classes.

 

class a:  No. 4 - valley fayette

http://www.stutler.cc/store/team_pride/images/064_Greyhounds_blue.pngThe Greyhounds are looking to build on last year's success and make a return trip to Charleston where their season ended in 2013 with a loss in the Class A semifinals. A number of key pieces from that team have graduated, including 1st Team All-State performer Arik McGinnis (WV Tech).

Valley returns five starters from last year's State Tournament team. Several other players return that played and will be counted on to fill positions that seniors filled.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Raeshawn Breckenridge, OF/LHP (Class of 2014)
Joe Eckert, LHP/1B (Class of 2014)
John Riddle, C/IF (Class of 2014)
Druw Bowen, RHP/SS, (Class of 2016)

 

class Aa:  No. 4 - fairmont senior

Polar Bears LogoThe Polar Bears return six of nine starters from last year's AAA state runner-up team. The biggest loss comes in the form of pitching. Senior RHP Bailey Mohr is likely to inherit the No. 1 starter role this season and the success of the Polar Bears' season will likely rest on the progression of the remainder of the pitchers on the staff.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Gage Hannah, C/RHP (Class of 2014)
Johnny Kesling, 1B (Class of 2014)
Bailey Mohr, RHP (Class of 2014)
Austin Norman, OF (Class of 2014)
Ryder Skarzinski, OF (Class of 2014)
Jayce Riley, 3B/RHP (Class of 2015)

 


class aAA:  No. 4 - hedgesville

Hedgesville, the defending AAA champs, will have to contend with significant losses to graduation including power hitting 1B Daniel Heleine (WVU). The Eagles will lean heavily on seniors Tyler Anders and Troy Markley in an attempt to get back to the state tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Tyler Anders, C/3B (Class of 2014)
Troy Markley, OF (Class of 2014)

 

complete preseason elite eight team rankings

 

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