Previewing Tonight: April 15
April 15, 2016
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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management
Hayfield at No. 1 James Madison
Madison hosts a conference matchup with Hayfield tonight as the Warhawks look to remain undefeated in conference play after a blowout win over second place McLean on Tuesday.
Atlee at No. 2 Hanover
The Hawks take on a good Atlee squad that has split its games this week, losing to Glen Allen and beating Varina. Hanover’s Tuesday game was postponed by rain so the Hawks have all of their very deep rotation available in this game.
No. 4 Grassfield vs. Nansemond River
The undefeated Grizzlies will face the Warriors tonight in one of two outstanding matchups in Chesapeake this evening. Both teams have good lineups and look for each team to roll their ace out with Grassfield likely sending Garrett Stallings (Tennessee) to the mound and Nansemond River probably turning to Michael Blanchard (Old Dominion).
No. 6 Atlantic Shores Christian at Lawrence Academy (NC)
The Seahawks look to remain undefeated as they cross state lines for a non-conference matchup* the day after a big win over Lawrence Academy. ASC will also have a matchup Saturday against St. Anne’s Belfield.
Stonewall Jackson at No. 8 Battlefield
The Bobcats look to move to 2-0 in Cedar Run Conference play as they host the Raiders tonight in their only game this week. With the rest, Jake Agnos (East Carolina) is available to start tonight, but the Bobcats could go with any of the options in their deep rotation for the start.
No. 9 Western Branch at No. 16 Hickory
The Hawks have one of the most explosive lineups in the state built around centerfielder Cody Schneider (Radford) and third baseman Mikey Polansky (Virginia Tech). Their only two losses this season have come when they have been shut down by elite starting pitchers, falling to Garrett Stallings and Grassfield and Kent Kylman (NC State) and Jamestown. Western Branch has a very good lineup as well and the Bruins have their ace, senior lefty Corey Klak (Old Dominion) available tonight for the other matchup between Chesapeake heavyweights that is on the schedule for this evening.
No. 10 Lafayette at Bruton
The Rams were powered to victory by the Lipcius twins on Wednesday against Tabb as both homered in the win and Andre (Tennessee) threw a complete game. Lafayette will have to look to other arms to carry them on the mound tonight as they travel to Bruton.
Douglas Freeman at No. 11 Glen Allen
Glen Allen hosts the Rebels in their second meeting in program history. The 2015 4A State champs controlled the first meeting, winning 12-3, and enter the game coming off of a win over Atlee on Monday. The Rebels’ bats are hot coming off of a blowout of Hermitage on Tuesday as Douglas Freeman needs the win to keep pace in the conference standings.
No. 12 C.D. Hylton at Forest Park
The Bulldogs travel down the street to take on rival Forest Park in a big Conference 4 matchup. Hylton rebounded from Monday’s loss to Paul VI by beating Freedom (Woodbridge) on Tuesday. With Trey Shepard (Walters State CC) only available for a few innings, look for senior Ryan Billy to start the game for Hylton with Fox Semones (James Madison) available to come in from shortstop if needed. Forest Park split their games last week, losing a non-conference game to Patriot but winning against Conference 4 opponent Woodbridge. The Bruins have been off all week and have junior Anthony Stehlin lined up to start tonight.
No. 24 West Springfield at No. 14 Lake Braddock
This matchup pits the top two teams in the Patriot Conference 7 standings against each other as Lake Braddock is undefeated and West Springfield has one loss in conference play. West Springfield has been very good on the mound all spring and their lone loss came in a tight game to Annandale. The Bruins are riding a ten game winning streak, only losing their opener to Paul VI, and most recently defeating South County on Tuesday night, 2-0.
No. 17 Jefferson Forest at E.C. Glass
The Cavaliers go on the road for their second Conference 23 matchup against E.C. Glass. Jefferson Forest beat Amherst County on Wednesday night in their conference opener. Look for the Cavaliers to start senior Zack Peek (Winthrop) and have Indiana Hall (Concord) available in relief. Glass enters the game coming off of a loss on Monday in conference play to Liberty Christian Academy.
No. 20 Loudoun Valley at Rock Ridge
The Vikings lost a non-conference game to T.C. Williams on Wednesday night, but enter this game 3-0 in Conference 21B play. The Phoenix are still a young team in just their second year of competition. Look for an elite pitching matchup tonight as Loudoun Valley has senior ace Justin Ager (Yale) lined up for the game and Rock Ridge has junior Nick Stewart available.
No. 25 George C. Marshal at Thomas Jefferson (Fairfax)
Marshall travels to Thomas Jefferson for a Capitol Conference 13 matchup tonight. The Statesmen look to remain undefeated in conference play after beating Lee soundly on Tuesday.
Fairfax at Yorktown
George Mason at Rappahannock County
Heritage (Leesburg) at Loudoun County
Mount Vernon at Annandale
Oakton at Chantilly
Osbourn at Patriot
Riverside at John Champe
Robinson at Westfield
South County at West Potomac
South Lake at Langley
Washington & Lee at McLean
Trinity Episcopal at Woodberry Forest
Collegiate at Christchurch
Hermitage at Maggie Walker
Mills Godwin at John Marshall
St. Christopher’s at St. Anne’s Belfield
Highland Springs at Henrico
Thomas Jefferson (Richmond) at Deep Run
Patrick Henry (Ashland) at Lee-Davis
Giles at Auburn
Eastern Montgomery at Glenvar
Grayson County at Galax
Narrows at Fort Chiswell
Patrick County at Franklin County
Halifax County at Magna Vista
Hidden Valley at Carroll County
Rockbridge County at William Fleming
Salem at Christiansburg
Patrick Henry at Pulaski County
Bassett at Tunstall
George Washington (Danville) at Martinsville
William Byrd at Northside
Roanoke Catholic at Roanoke Valley Christian
Cave Spring at Blacksburg
Covington at Bath County
Craig County at James River
George Wythe vs. Castlewood
Richlands at Marion
Osbourn at Patriot