2022 VHSL Preview: Region 5C
March 8, 2022
As the season approaches, we will go around the Commonwealth and DC and preview the action to come this spring, our first full season since 2019. In each preview, we will breakdown how teams qualify for the Region Tournaments, the Top Prospects in each Region, and Teams to Watch.
In 2021, Region A Champ Frank Cox defeated Region C Champ Woodgrove to capture the Class 5 State Championship. Mills Godwin won Region B and Mountain View won Region D in the 2021 season, earning State Tournament berths. Region runners-up were First Colonial, Glen Allen, Riverside, and Albemarle.
Realignment has hit Class 5 pretty hard this year as most of the Regions look very little like they did last year. Regions 5C and 5D were combined into the new Region 5D. The Richmond schools that made up Region 5B are now together in 5C. Finally, what had been a massive Region 5A of Peninsula and Beach schools has now been split in half into the new 5A and 5B.
The Region 5C tournament is an all-in affair with all 12 teams making the tournament and seeding using power points. The top four teams do get byes into the quarterfinals.
TOP PROSPECTS
5C
Name | High School | Position | Year | Commitment |
Ryan Bland | Douglas Freeman | RHP/SS | 2024 | |
Zach Boyd | Mills Godwin | RHP | 2024 | |
Marcus Bradshaw | Prince George | SS | 2023 | Missouri |
Ethan Brooks | Glen Allen | SS | 2022 | VCU |
Luke Calveric | Mills Godwin | RHP/3B | 2022 | Radford |
Clark Driscoll | Clover Hill | C/RHP | 2022 | VCU |
Cole Feldman | Midlothian | SS | 2023 | George Mason |
Trey Gauch | Deep Run | RHP/3B | 2024 | |
Andrew Harris | Glen Allen | RHP | 2023 | |
Andrew Jones | Midlothian | RHP | 2022 | VMI |
Justin Journette | Hermitage | 1B | 2022 | Norfolk State |
Jaden Kinsler | Glen Allen | LHP | 2022 | James Madison |
Ryan Marshall | LC Bird | OF/RHP | 2023 | |
Garrett Mason | Mills Godwin | RHP | 2023 | |
Cam Mazell | Clover Hill | 1B | 2022 | Norfolk State |
Macho Santiago | Douglas Freeman | SS/RHP | 2022 | VCU |
Josiah Seguin | Deep Run | SS | 2023 | William & Mary |
Lee Sowers | Douglas Freeman | SS/RHP | 2024 | Virginia Tech |
Juice Tobin | Mills Godwin | SS | 2023 |
TEAMS TO WATCH
5C
Douglas Freeman
While Freeman may not have the typical shutdown arm needed to win a state championship, the Mavericks have plenty of quality depth on the mound. Macho Santiago (VCU) may serve as their most electric arm and could get help from Jackson Beale, Andrew Bottari, and others. The offense will more than likely be anchored by Santiago, Carson Herod, Lee Sowers (Virginia Tech), Ryan Bland, Trey Shelton (Patrick Henry CC), and Miguel Martin.
Glen Allen
The Jaguars have minimal losses from their 2021 regional runner-up squad. They return the core of their arms in Jaden Kinsler (JMU), Ethan Hudson (Randolph-Macon), Andrew Harris, Christopher Johnson, Taylor Catlett, Seth Brooks, Mitchell Bayles (Virginia Wesleyan), Alex Heid, and potential newcomer Chad Martin. The offense will be a year older and just as deep as last year. The Brooks brothers, Ethan (VCU) and Eli, will more than likely sit towards the top and will get help from Anthony Connor, Andrew Harris, Chris Johnson, Cameron Slough, and others. Look for the Jaguars to be in the hunt in June.
Mills Godwin
Godwin returns a pitching staff that has an abundance of depth and talent. Who are some of the pieces that could factor in? Luke Calveric (Radford) and Garrett Mason should be their headlining arms that have frontend stuff. They have a collection of complimentary experienced arms in Michael Hagin (Hampden-Sydney) and Hank Piersol. In addition to their experience on the mound, the Eagles have a wealth of talented arms underneath, but we are unsure as to which arms will contribute and how many innings they will throw. As for the offense, the Eagles return Justin “Juice” Tobin, Cole Powers, Luke Calveric, Garrett Mason, Ashur Caraher (Richard Bland), and Matt Cornwell (Paul D. Camp CC). Their combination of depth on the mound, athleticism, and ability to produce runs gives them a chance to bring home another regional title.