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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

As we enter February, the high school season is quickly approaching. As the month progresses and February turns into March, we will take a look at high school programs throughout our coverage area as they prepare for the 2016 season.
 

Team: C.D. Hylton
Nickname: Bulldogs
Class: 6A North
Conference: 4
Coach: Jason Ritenour
2015 Record: 16-6
2015 Post Season: Conference Tournament
Returning Starters/Position: 4
Returning Pitchers: 3

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ryan Billy (RHP, 2016) Billy has a very good three-pitch mix that he commands well, changing speeds and using his deceptive delivery to get outs.
Christian Colangelo (1B/LHP, 2016, Mary Washington) Colangelo is an athletic corner infielder with gap to gap power.
Blake Coleman (OF, 2016, Maryland Eastern Shore)
Spencer Laitinen (C, 2016, Eastern Mennonite)
Ben Marotske (OF, 2016, Randolph Macon) Marotske is a very athletic defender in centerfielder and covers a lot of ground with his sub-7 speed.
Fox Semones (MIF/RHP, 2016, James Madison) Semones is a talented two-way player who is an athletic defender and has a big fastball/slider comb on the mound. Semones is currently ranked 74^th in the VA/DC Class of 2016 Rankings.
Trey Shepard (RHP/OF, 2016, Walters State CC) Shepard is a big righty with a big arm and a ton of upside. He is ranked 82^nd in the Class of 2016 Rankings.
Colin Verberg (OF, 2017) Verberg is an athletic outfielder with some speed and gap or better power developing.


SEASON OUTLOOK
Hylton is coming off of a very good 2015 regular season that saw them just miss the 6A South Tournament. The 2016 Bulldogs look to be just as good as they bring back a talented rotation led by Billy, Shepard, and Semones. The pitching staff will have a very good defense to work in front of with Semones anchoring the middle and Marotske and Verberg covering a lot of ground in the outfield. If the younger offense can come up with some consistent clutch hitting and run production, the Bulldogs should be able to return to the 6A South Tournament this spring and have a pitching staff that will make them dangerous in the postseason.