VA/DC Scout Blog: NOVA Weekend Wrap-up
April 26, 2022
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Friday through Monday I got the chance to see a lot of action. I caught an inning of Warren County and Brentsville District on Friday night to see a pair of uncommitted arms, a game that Brentsville ultimately won, 3-0.
On Saturday, I saw a round-robin tripleheader between Highland, Flint Hill, and Greenbrier Christian. Highland won the opener against Flint Hill, 7-1. Sophomore Brennen Card (William & Mary) was outstanding on the mound and senior George Rizzo (George Washington) led the game off with a home run and also had an RBI triple in the game.
In the second game of the day, a rematch of the 2021 VISAA Division II State Championship game, Highland scored two runs in the sixth inning to come from behind and win the game 2-1. Rizzo was key again, as he delivered the go-ahead run with a 2-out RBI single. Both starting pitchers were strong in the game, with Bailey Matela (Old Dominion) working out of a series of jams early in the game for Greenbrier and Jackson Gimbel (James Madison) bouncing back from allowing a quick first inning run to shut down the Gator offense into the sixth inning. Connor McAuley (Randolph-Macon) slammed the door on the Highland's 17th straight win.
In the final game Saturday, Greenbrier used a big first inning rally and a mammoth second inning home run off the bat of Austin Younce (VCU) to build an 8-0 lead early en route to a 25-12 win that saw plenty of young players get at-bats for the Gators.
Finally, on Monday night, I caught a few innings of Patriot's win over Unity Reed and got to watch AJ Shepard (Indiana) hit a few times.
Warren County vs. Brentsville
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Ryan Curl RHP / 1B / Warren County, VA / 2024
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Brayden Hutchison C / 1B / Brentsville District, VA / 2023
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Flint Hill
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Alex Freel 1B / OF / Flint Hill , VA / 2023
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Jason Mendler OF / LHP / Flint Hill, VA / 2022
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Highland
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Brennen Card LHP / OF / Highland, VA / 2024
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Luke Craddock 1B / OF / Highland School, VA / 2025Craddock is uncommitted and has a big strong physical frame with some projection left to it. Hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance. Was pitched very carefully throughout the day, seeing lots of soft stuff and lot of pitches away. Showed maturity in his approach, staying back and driving these balls to right field as opposed to trying to pull them and rolling over. Was consistently on the barrel with loud contact to the right side of the field throughout the day. Has a ton of raw power and drove the ball to the opposite field.
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Jackson Gimbel RHP / OF / Highland School, VA / 2022
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Garrett Pancione C / OF / Highland, VA / 2022
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George Rizzo OF / Highland, VA / 2022Rizzo is a George Washington commit and had a strong day. In the outfield, he has an average to slightly above average arm that is very accurate, he gets very good breaks and takes good routes in center, he has speed and a lot of first step quickness as well. At the plate, hits from the right side from an athletic stance. Showed barrel feel throughout the day, making consistent hard contact to all fields. Generally has an up the middle approach with gap power present, high average hitter with extra base power primarily in the middle of the field. Also showed some pull home run pop with a leadoff home run in the first game. Tripled to deep right center and hit a few other balls hard in the middle of the field. Prototypical top of the order type hitter.
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Greenbrier Christian
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Dominic Angrisani RHP / SS / Greenbrier Christian School, VA / 2023
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Joshua Long RHP / 3B / Greenbrier Christian Academy, VA / 2025
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Bailey Matela LHP / 1B / Greenbrier Christian, VA / 2022
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Maison Nance SS / 2B / Greenbrier christian, VA / 2023
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Bubba Sawyer SS / 2B / Greenbrier Christian, VA / 2024Sawyer is a Virginia commit and has a lankier athletic frame with some strength present and room to add more as he develops. In the field, very quick, shows lateral quickness. At the plate, hits from the right side from a wider athletic stance. Very short to contact, hands stay tight to body, swing works uphill with strength at contact and extension through the ball, quick bat with some whip to it. Shows a pull approach with some power present that way and a chance to add more as he continues to develop.
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Michael Urbaniak II C / 1B / Greenbrier Christian Academy, VA / 2024
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Gavin Whitehurst OF / 1B / Greenbrier Christian, VA / 2022
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Austin Younce C / OF / Greenbrier Christian, VA / 2022Younce is a VCU commit and has an athletic frame with some strength present. Behind the plate, above average to good receiver, very athletic getting into blocks and keeping ball in front. Shows arm strength and a quick arm action. Has speed and athleticism that shows on the basepaths as well, can steal a base and easily scores from first on a double. At the plate, hits from the right side from an open relaxed stance, quiet simple setup with a short stride and load, hands stay inside and he is very short to ball. Whippy fast bat, slightly uphill swing path with strength at contact and extension through the ball. Shows power to all fields with home run power to his pull side.
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Patriot
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AJ Shepard C / OF / Patriot, VA / 2022
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