Previewing Tonight: April 19
April 19, 2016
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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management
Yorktown at No. 1 James Madison
The Warhawks begin their second trip through Conference 6 play as they host the Patriots. James Madison won the earlier matchup, 10-0, and has not lost to a Virginia team yet this spring.
No. 2 Hanover at Varina
Hanover travels to Conference 20 opponent Varina this evening in the Hawks’ first game since their extra inning victory on Saturday over St. John’s.
Cape Henry Collegiate at No. 3 Greenbrier Christian
The Gators look to continue their winning streak as they host the Dolphins this evening. Greenbrier Christian has won their last ten games, including a doubleheader sweep of Steward and Kellam on Saturday.
No. 6 Grassfield at Oscar Smith
The Grizzlies go on the road for a Monitor-Merrimac Conference 2 matchup against the Tigers. Grassfield lost its first game of the season last Friday in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel between Garrett Stallings (Tennessee) and Nansemond River’s Michael Blanchard (Old Dominion). Look for Grassfield to turn to junior Hunter Perdue (Virginia) for the start as he tries to hold down the Tiger offense, which has been good lately and make them a challenging opponent.
Osbourn Park at No. 7 Battlefield
Battlefield faces a tough pair of Cedar Run Conference 8 opponents this week in the Yellow Jackets and Patriot on Friday. It is unclear which game ace Jake Agnos (East Carolina) will start for the Bobcats, but if he doesn’t throw tonight, Battlefield has plenty of other quality options to choose from their very deep and talented pitching staff. While the Yellow Jackets are off to a slow start, they have talented junior pitcher Kyle Whitten (Virginia) as an option on the mound and an offense built around underclassmen who have a lot of potential, making this a dangerous game for the Bobcats.
Indian River at No. 8 Western Branch
Western Branch hosts Indian River in a non-conference matchup this evening. The Bruins have an interesting schedule of games coming up this week as they continue to play one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the state, with No. 5 Atlantic Shores and No. 3 Greenbrier Christian looming Friday and next Monday. Indian River has shown its ability throughout the year to hold opposing offenses down, limiting Hickory’s offense to just three runs in a loss last week. Look for a tight low-scoring game, which could be trouble for Western Branch, as the Bruins have score three runs or less in all four of their losses this spring.
New Kent at No. 9 Lafayette
Lafayette hosts this Conference 25 matchup as the Rams enter the game coming off of a pair of wins last week over Tabb and Bruton. The Trojans come into the game having lost Friday night to Poquoson and have not been good on the road so far this spring. The Rams have been carried so far this season by the Lipcius brothers, and Andre (Tennessee) is available to start this game on the mound.
J.R. Tucker at No. 10 Glen Allen
The Jaguars host Conference 11 foe J.R. Tucker after sweeping Atlee and Douglas Freeman last week.
No. 11 Paul VI Catholic at DeMatha
Paul VI recovered from its first two losses of the season by sweeping their schedule of games last week. The Panthers travel to DeMatha looking to stay near the top of the WCAC standings.
No. 12 C.D. Hylton at Potomac
The Bulldogs go on the road for a non-conference matchup with county rival Potomac. The Panthers are a solid team with a good group of experienced upperclassmen and nearly upset Battlefield recently, leading the game 9-7 going into the seventh inning before the Bobcats rallied.
No. 25 St. John’s College at No. 13 Bishop O’Connell
One of the biggest games of today’s slate pits the top two teams in the WCAC standings against each other with first place on the line. The Knights won the first meeting between the two teams in extra innings 11 days ago and it is unclear whether ace Rafi Vazquez (Coastal Carolina) will be available after pitching towards the end of last week against Gonzaga. The Cadets dropped two of their three games last week, a conference game to St. Mary’s Ryken and an extra inning game Saturday to Hanover.
No. 16 West Springfield at West Potomac
West Springfield propelled itself into a tie for first place in Patriot Conference 7 with their win Friday over rival Lake Braddock. The Spartans look to pick up another win as they travel to West Potomac, which could turn to senior ace Jaime Sara (William & Mary) on the mound.
T.C. Williams at No. 17 Lake Braddock
Lake Braddock hosts the Titans tonight as they look to bounce back from Friday’s loss to West Springfield and remain in a first place tie. The Titans have senior Aaron Tovsky (Elon) available to pitch coming off of an outstanding performance last Tuesday and will offer the Bruins a challenge.
No. 18 Nansemond Suffolk Academy at Norfolk Christian
The Saints take their four game winning streak on the road as they travel to Norfolk Christian. Nansemond Suffolk has scored double digit runs in each of its wins during the Saints’ current streak.
No. 19 Kettle Run at Eastern View
Kettle Run has won five games in a row and has had a week off after a tight win over Brentsville District. Eastern View is a good team and especially dangerous when Daniel Laird (Radford) is on the mound.
No. 20 George C. Marshall at Wakefield
Marshall looks to continue its assault on the Capitol Conference as they travel to take on Wakefield. The Statesmen defeated the Warriors earlier in the season, 8-1.
No. 23 Briar Woods at No. 21 Potomac Falls
The Falcons and Panthers meet in a key early Conference 14 matchup. Briar Woods just finished a stretch in which they took on three straight 6A schools, winning the first two before falling last week to Robinson. The Panthers opened conference play last week and lost to Stone Bridge, snapping a five game winning streak that included two victories over Millbrook and one over Loudoun Valley.
Sherando at No. 22 Millbrook
The Pioneers host a big rivalry game in tonight’s Conference 21A matchup. Millbrook has won its last two games and has been very good all year at limiting opponent’s offenses, allowing two runs or fewer in all nine of the team’s wins. Look for junior Ryan Kennedy (Kennesaw State) to start tonight’s game, with Trey Braithwaite (Naval Academy) ready to close and Anthony Simonelli (Coastal Carolina) also available for work if needed.
Kellam at No. 24 First Colonial
The Patriots host the first part of a home and home against Coastal Conference 1 opponent Kellam. First Colonial has only allowed four runs in its last four games.
No. 25 Prince George at Dinwiddie
The Royals travel to Dinwiddie coming off of a win last week over Colonial Heights. Prince George is still undefeated on the season.
Centreville at Westfield
George Mason at William Monroe
Hayfield at McLean
Herndon at Chantilly
Lee at Edison
Loudoun County at Dominion (Leesburg)
Loudoun Valley at John Champe
McNamara at Bishop Ireton
Mount Vernon at W.T. Woodson
Riverside at Heritage (Leesburg)
Robinson at Oakton
Sidwell Friends at Flint Hill
South County at Annandale
South Lakes at Fairfax
Stone Bridge at Broad Run
J.E.B. Stuart at Thomas Jefferson (Fairfax)
Rock Ridge at Woodgrove
Collegiate at Norfolk Academy
Midlothian at L.C. Bird
Monocan at Clover Hill
Fork Union at St. Christopher’s
Trinity Episcopal at St. Anne’s Belfield
Benedictine at Miller School
Maggie Walker at Goochland
Thomas Dale at Petersburg
Meadowbrook at Matoaca
Powhatan at Charlottesville
John Marshall at Douglas Freeman
Colonial Heights at Hopewell
Thomas Jefferson (Richmond) at Hermitage
Patrick Henry (Ashland) at Armstrong
Atlee at Highland Springs
Roanoke Valley Christian at Parkway Christian
Floyd County at Giles
Glenvar at Auburn
North Cross at Carlisle
Radford at Eastern Montgomery
Fort Chiswell at Marion
Patrick Henry (Roanoke) at Blacksburg
Patrick County at Martinsville
Salem at Cave Spring
Tunstall at Halifax County
Alleghany at William Byrd
Rural Retreat at George Wythe
William Fleming at Lord Botetourt
Galax at Bland County
Northside at Rockbridge County
Bassett at Magna Vista
Virginia at Grayson County
Hidden Valley at Christiansburg
Carroll County at Pulaski
Craig County at Parry McCluer
James River (Roanoke) at Covington