By Sammy Serrano
Director of Scouting-Prep Baseball Report VA/DC

Follow @PBRVirginiaDC

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: James Madison
Nickname: Warhawks
Class/Division: 6A North
District/Conference: Liberty
Head Coach: Mark Gjormand
Twitter Handle:  @BaseballMadison
2014 Overall Record: 22-3
2014 Post-Season Finish: Lost in Regional Semifinal.

Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 7
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6

TOP RETURNERS (Commit)
John DeFazio, RHP/INF, 2015 (Virginia Tech)
Brian Eckert, LHP, 2015 (Radford)
Owen Socher, OF, 2015 (William and Mary)
Matt Favero, LHP/1B, 2016
Jimmy Goldsmith, 1B/OF, 2016
Pete Nielsen, SS/RHP, 2016

Other Players of Interest for the Warhawks:  David McGuire (2015, Francis Marion), Nick Conforti (INF, 2017), Peter Freck (OF, 2017), Daniel Gerke (1B/OF, 2017), Kyle Novak (INF, 2018).

Outlook:
James Madison is coming off an outstanding 2014 season that saw them win the Liberty Conference and advance to the 6A North semifinals before their season came to an end. The 2015 Warhawks will be strong again as they return the bulk of their lineup and most of their pitching staff from last year’s squad. The lineup will be led by Pete Neilsen (MIF/RHP, 2016), Owen Socher (OF, 2015), and Jimmy Goldsmith (1B/OF, 2016). The pitching staff will be led by a talented trio featuring John DeFazio (RHP/IF, 2015), Brian Eckert (LHP, 2015), and Matt Favero (LHP/1B, 2016). While the Warhawks have to replace three graduates lost to Division I, this year’s edition will have plenty of experience and talent to absorb those losses. James Madison is among the favorites in the 6A North this spring and has a team that could be celebrating a State Championship on the second Saturday in June.

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Coaches Preseason Questionnaire 

We appreciate all of the help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online.

Virginia/DC Public School Questionnaire
Virginia/DC Private School Questionnaire