2020 Montgomery County Season Preview

Bethesda-CC Barons: The Barons figure to be strong once again in 2020 but will need to rely on a new group of arms on the mound with aces James Springer (First Team All MoCo 4A-South) and Brendan Hughes gone. With them gone, Head coach John Schmidt figures to lean on Henry Smith, Beck Urofsky, Jack Branthover, Charlie Braverman, and top newcomer Stewart Tewksbury. At the plate, look for Second Team All MoCo 3A/2A selections Branthover (.328 AVG), Joseph Eisenberg (.346 AVG), and Urofsky (.309 AVG) to lead the way with Braverman, Smith, and Parker Silver figuring to also play key roles. Infielder Eric Brilliant also could make a big impact this season.

Churchill Bulldogs: Look out for the Bulldogs this season as they return a talented group of starters and ace junior right-handed pitcher Jesse Lacefield (First Team All MoCo 4A-South). Losing three First Team All MoCo 4A-South players Ben Nardi, Simon Fettig, and Michael Janis won’t be easy to replace, but head coach Patrick Skellchock likes the challenge and younger group he has. Second Team All MoCo 4A-South outfielder Ethan Rindner (.397 AVG) is the anchor of a lineup that also sees back three other seniors in Lacefield, Eddie Hacopian, Ari Isaacson and Ethan’s brother and sophomore UTL, Erik Rindner (.367 AVG). Talented freshman shortstop and Wake Forest commit Chris Hacopian also figures to make a big impact this season for Chruchill.

Walt Whitman Vikings: 13th year head coach Joe Cassidy loses five key starters from 2019’s 4A West Regional Championship team with four of them now off playing in college. Gone from last year includes: ace Zach Werkman who went 9-0 on the mound en route to being named All MoCo 4A-South Pitcher of the Year, star outfielders Tyler DeMartino (West Virginia), Justin Carboni (Pennsylvania), catcher Jack Ryan (UMBC), and infielder Harry Caplan (Oberlin). It was a very talented group for this year’s squad to learn from and look up to last season. Leading the way on the mound for the Vikings in 2020 figures to be a trio of seniors in Bennett Soloman, Ryan McIntyre, and Mark Dimitrov. At the plate, look for talented junior shortstop Matt Ryan (First Team All MoCo 4A-South), seniors Howie Fishman, Sean Fleming (First Team All MoCo 4A-South), and sophomore Weston Weilminster to be key pieces. Junior newcomers Eli Putnam and Theo Meline also have the ability to make significant immediate contributions in the lineup this year.

Wootton Patriots: Wootton figures to be in contention again this season with senior right-hander Dev Zoks (First Team All MoCo 4A-West) anchoring the staff with 2019 All MoCo 4A-West Pitcher of the Year, Ryan Mariani gone. Junior Nathan Bowman (First Team All MoCo 4A-West) returns as a key piece in the lineup and look for sophomore shortstop Brady Weiss to really be a nice addition for the Patriots in the lineup as well with All MoCo 4A-West Player of the Year Harrison Cance gone. 

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Einstein Titans: Einstein could be interesting this year as the return three All MoCo 3A/2A players from 2019 in senior pitcher Ben Ruth (Second Team), senior SS Evan Hall (Second Team), and junior third basemen David Curtain (Second Team).

Clarksburg Coyotes: Clarksburg returns a plethora of players from last season including seven starters on offense and their three top arms. Senior southpaw Andrew Abrams (Salisbury, First Team All MoCo 4A-West) will anchor a staff that also includes senior Nathan Proctor (First Team All MoCo 4A-West) and hard throwing junior right-hander Sam Batis (First Team All MoCo 4A-West). Abrams, Proctor, and Batis also figure to play key roles in the lineup alongside power hitting first basemen Chase Robinson, catcher Morgan Bragg, and outfielder Bailey Arensmeyer. Sophomore Taye Robinson has garnered a lot of attention for his play on varsity last year as a freshman and figures to make even more of a jump this year coming off a big summer. Look for talented sophomore Daerek Sawyer and freshman Oliver Martin to see time as two-way players helping to add depth on the team in 2020.

Gaithersburg Trojans: Gaithersburg returns several key players from last year's squad and looks to be one of the top contenders in not only the Montgomery County 4A West Division but also the 4A MPSSAA State Playoffs this season. The Trojans are loaded with experienced arms on the bump in 2020 with seniors Justin McDermott (Salisbury, Second Team All MoCo 4A-West), Will Wikner (Berry College, Second Team All MoCo 4A-West), and juniors Doug Marose (First Team All MoCo 4A-West) and Noah Tabaie returning. Junior two-way player Bryce Greene also figures to mix in the rotation some adding yet another quality arm. At the plate, first year head coach Michael McMillen will look for some younger players to step up with the aforementioned McDermott, Wikner, Marose, Tabaie, and Greene figuring to lead the way.