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Welcome finally to 2018. The spring cannot come fast enough. Now just under two months away from the start of practices, we decide to spring forward again.  So far we have looked into the following categories:

With this Spring Forward segment we will highlight potential season matchups that could be the best of the year. Some are rivalries that will continue to soar, some are opponents that may turn into rivalries.

Calvert Hall v Loyola-Blakefield
Not the traditional rivalry here, but looking at a potential arms matchup of Loyola RHP Matthew Wyatt (Virginia) or RHP Will Glock (Maryland) against Calvert Hall RHP Dan O'Connor (Maryland) should be one of the better pitching matchups in the state. Both sides will feature some new faces in their respective lineups, but returning on both sides are big hitters AJ Holcomb for Loyola, and JP Murphy for Calvert Hall.

St. Michaels v Colonel Richardson
On a positive note these two teams won't face each other in the sectional finals this year. They now could be potential regional championship opponents this time around, although Colonel Richardson will have a tough test to get out with a state contender Patterson Mill team in the 1A East section I as well. But enough of that, we will have time to break that down later. The defending champions St. Michaels will have a tougher road to a championship this year after losing some key seniors from their roster, but the Saints should again be tough from top to bottom of their lineup and this year Matt Grogan (Salisbury) will step into the lone ace role. Nick Newnam is one of the top hitters in the state and will pace the Saints offense. Colonel Richardson have the most talented pitching rotation in the state Jacob Zebron (NC State) and Jamison Covey (Ole Miss). Usually when these two teams match-up, its a heated competition.

James M. Bennett v Stephen Decatur
This year looks as if both teams should be the top contenders in the Bayside South this spring and a pitching matchup between Tristan McDonough and Dallas Repine will be one of the better ones you will see all year. Both arms are high ceiling athletes that have bright futures. 

Patterson Mill v Bel Air
A match up between a 4A (Bel Air) and a 1A (Patterson Mill) in the same city has traditionally brought plenty of exciting games over the years, which is a bit surprising given the size of the schools. Bel Air is in a bit of a transition season this year after losing some key starters, while Patterson Mill brings back a good chunk of their roster of a year ago and with another season under their belt should be a 1A contender.

Anne Arundel County
Looks like it will be a fun year this season in the Anne Arundel county. Chesapeake and Severna Park should once again be one of the top matchups of the season, and opponents are certainly happy that star players Joe Seidler (Chesapeake, Radford) and Kody Milton (Severna Park, U of Maryland) are finally in their senior seasons. Arundel has continued to climb under Frank Hood and again will be a tough matchup. North County features one of the top lefties in the state Tyler Green who will give his team a chance to win each time he toes the rubber. Annapolis has also got their own ace in LHP Cam Nolet who has the potential to win a few games by himself. Old Mill always seem to be a top competitor and this year some off the field distractions won't get in their way.

Whitman v Poolesville
I think this year we may see Whitman turn themselves into contenders for a region championship and they will go against the returning 3A champs who had an impressive season in 2017 and return plenty of their core lineup. Whitman's Tyler DeMartino has evolved into one of the most dangerous hitters in the state, while Brady Pearre is one of the top player to watch around the state.

Urbana v Middletown
The defending 2A champs will not come as a surprise to any opponents this year as a talented young 2017 team is a year older and should be a contender again this season. Urbana also returns a majority of their 2017 roster led by Trey Lipscomb (Tennessee). With Washington County being split up this season, hopefully we will still get to see this matchup. Washington county in general will be a good one to watch this year. 

More Spring Forward