2024 Season Preview: VISAA Division I
February 9, 2024
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Historically, VISAA Division I is loaded with talent and 2024 is no different. From top to bottom, this league may be the strongest it has been in a while. There are only a handful of current year draft follows, but the depth of individual talent and number of teams who can contend for a title are as good as ever. Take a look below as we preview nearly a dozen of the VISAA Division I programs.
VISAA Division I Previews:
Benedictine Collegiate 
2023 Record: 24-8-1 *VISAA Division I Runner-Up*
Benedictine is coming off of another solid season, finishing 24-8-1 and making yet another VISAA State Championship appearance. While their season ended at the hands of state champion Cape Henry Collegiate, the Cadets return in 2024 with plenty of firepower to get back in the driver’s seat of VISAA Division I. Benedictine will have to replace the losses of Daniel Lingle and Jagen Ratlief on the mound, but have plenty of upperclass talent to do so. Riley Roarty (VCU) and Jake Wise (William & Mary) should be the two premier arms for the Cadets, while Elijah Coston (VCU) and Eli Ranson (Hampden-Sydney) should provide quality depth behind those two. Ben Rossi (Mary Washington) did a nice job in 2023 handling that staff and returns in ‘24 to do the same. The positional depth and athleticism are abundant, but the loss of Terrence Rhodes’ offensive production will be tough to replace. Coston, Bryce Adams (NC A&T), Sam Kaczmarek (William & Mary), and Riley Roarty return to the lineup and should anchor that Cadet offense. A couple of names to know on the positional side are Khamari Veney, Will Blatt (Hampden-Sydney), Pierce Moten, Gavin Garland, Will Toland, and Colin Clarkson (Randolph-Macon). These are all players who have a chance to make an impact in the lineup at some point in 2024. Another question for the Cadets is who will replace Rhodes’ defense at shortstop? The answer to that question is still TBD, but look for Clarkson, Toland, and hopefully a healthy Easton Ogle will potentially be in the mix.
Bishop O’Connell .jpg)
2023 Record: 16-14 *Lost in VISAA Division I Quarterfinals*
Bishop O’Connell has what might be the best middle infield duo in the VA/DC area, with Michael Powell (Penn) and Noah Haught (Richmond) anchoring it up the middle. Joining those two committed middle infielders are returners Andy Fronczek (William & Mary), Mark Sirianni, and Peyton Kijek (Patrick Henry CC). After making some contributions in ‘23, Jack Woda is back and will have a chance to be a big piece of the puzzle behind the plate. Two new positional faces that could be a part of a push in the WCAC/VISAA title chase are Aidan Kim and Kamari Chisolm. On the mound the Knights have a deep and talented staff. AJ Murray (Bucknell) should be the premier arm on the staff, but Jack Rampy and new face Shota Fogus will provide some high quality depth for O’Connell. Another arm that could make a big leap this season is Noah Haught. His stuff is high end, but he hasn't thrown many varsity innings so we will see where he fits in the rotation. Watch for O’Connell to be the potential sleeper in both private divisions they are a part of.
Cape Henry Collegiate 
2023 Record: 27-4 *VISAA Division I State Champions*
The Dolphins are coming off of back to back state championships and return one of the best players in the state in Tanner Schaedel (ODU). Schaedel won every postseason award imaginable last year and is set up to have yet another strong spring. Joining Schaedel is fellow All-State honoree, Andrew Hart (NJIT). Hart will lock down centerfield for the Dolphins and is one of the best defensive outfielders in the state. Cape will have to figure out how to replace some of the big offensive departures from the 2023 state championship team, but they have four pieces on the mound in Schaedel, Payton Friske (VMI), Trajan Taylor, and Colin Lebel (George Washington) that should allow that offense a chance to grow. Another arm that could factor into this Cape Henry squad is Copeland Smith. Smith got some limited time last year as an 8th grader and one would assume that his role will continue to expand as he matures. In addition to Schaedel, Hart, and Nate Jensen (Chapman), watch for potential standout seasons from sophomore middle infielder, Chris Martinez and junior, Reid Downs.
Collegiate 
2023 Record: 21-5-1 *Lost in VISAA Division I Semifinals*
The Collegiate Cougars have offensive firepower that is as good as, or probably better than any other offense in the state (public and private). Like fellow VISAA D1 O’Connell, the Cougars have a strong middle infield. Hartley Rahman (JMU) and Miles Prusek (Haverford) should handle the middle of the infield, with both being really solid defenders and offering some consistency and versatility in the lineup. Will Slater (VMI) is an experienced catcher, and one of the better defenders behind the plate. Nicholas Chambers (Mary Washington) has some versatility in what he brings to the table. The Cougars have some big time firepower in the middle of the order with the bash brothers, Carter Mitchell (William & Mary) and Jett Bristow (UVA). QB1 Jack Callaghan should once again be a factor in the lineup. Their combination of athleticism, versatility, and power make them one of the toughest lineups to navigate, but they will have to figure out who is going to be the guy on the mound. Mitchell could potentially be one of the better arms, as he has the stuff to get outs. Also, watch for some arms like Carter Hepp and Mason Quigley to pitch some meaningful innings for the Cougars in 2024.
Miller School 
2023 Record: 20-16 *Lost in VISAA Division I Quarterfinals*
2023 was an up and down year for the Miller School Mavericks. They play one of the toughest schedules of any team in the Mid-Atlantic and they do not shy away from competition. After a rough start to the season, the Miller School clawed its way into the VISAA playoffs, but lost a tight game to Benedictine in the quarterfinals. The Mavericks had five losses that were one run games, including their last four losses of the season that were all one run affairs. The 2024 roster has been overhauled from 2023 and they have added some big time pieces, including the top ranked junior in the state, Evan Hankins (Tennessee). Along with Hankins, they have added star outfielder Mandela Browman, infielder John Michael Szefc, infielder/pitcher Camdyn Via, and catcher Drew Lucy (College of Charleston). The lineup features some versatility up and down the order that will be tough to navigate. Ryan Jones (Patrick Henry CC), Jackson Rosales, Naomi Ryan, Dom Cafferillo (Georgetown), and Jackson Ingram (WVU) will join the new faces of Hankins, Browman, and Szefc as likely big pieces to this offensive puzzle. The one area that the Mavericks needed help was on the mound and it looks like the help has arrived. Not only will the potentially lean heavily on a now healthy Matthew Bobsin, a much improved Dillon O’Connor, and the reliable arms of Jake Rexrode and Kason Wagner, but they also have the new additions of Hankins and Via that will be able to provide some valuable innings for the Mavericks.
Paul VI Catholic 
2023 Record: 20-12 *Lost in VISAA Division I Semifinals*
The Panthers are coming off of a strong 2023 season which saw them get back to the 20-win plateau and completely return to their traditional place as one of the top teams in the WCAC. 2024 looks to be no different as Paul VI will again get one last run with its talented group of seniors in the lineup. The standouts that will draw pro scouts to the park this spring will again be shortstop Jackson Sirois (Virginia) and centerfielder Alex Peltier (East Carolina). That pair will be supported by fellow seniors Mattox Flatt (Eastern Mennonite) and Ryan Henson (Mary Washington). The Panthers are extremely deep in the lineup, with junior Will Tighe coming off of a great sophomore year season. Keep an eye on junior Alex Pearce in the lineup and sophomore Ryan Vaxmonsky, who has a high end hit tool and will be hard to keep out of the mix. On the mound, look for a very deep group to be led by senior Tyler Russ (Air Force), and there will be a ton of competition for innings between juniors Matthew Roussey, Greg Quintana, sophomore Carter Perdue, who had some big appearances late in his freshman year. If any of those arms can emerge as a true ace, this Paul VI team will be dangerous against any opponent in VISAA or WCAC, and could challenge to win both.
The Potomac School 
2023 Record: 20-5 *Lost in VISAA Division I Quarterfinals*
The Panthers are coming off a strong 2023 season that saw them win 20 games and finish first in the MAC and earn a spot in the VISAA Division I Quarterfinals before falling to St. Paul VI. Longtime Head Coach Eric Crozier departed during the offseason to take the Chantilly job, and the Panthers announced former Catholic University assistant Chris Nee would be the next Head Coach in the fall. For Nee’s first year in the dugout, he will have some talent to work with despite the graduation of shortstop Kelly Crittenberger (Northwestern). The rotation should be highlighted by a trio of senior righthanders in Jack Graham (James Madison), Paul Witkop (Richmond), and David Boehm (Gettysburg). Offensively, senior barrel machine Owen Peterson (Navy) is back as well as fellow senior lefty bat Jackson Wiley.
St. Anne’s Belfield 
2023 Record: 14-10
2023 saw some highs and lows for the Saints of St. Anne’s Belfield. With that being said, it was a very encouraging year with all of the youth that lies within that program. STAB returns all nine starters, six arms, and adds some very intriguing new faces, including Ryan Steeper. Alex Bingler (JMU), Townes Peper, Oscar Hickey, and Gavin Cunningham (Mary Washington) should be big inning guys on the mound, and add Steeper into that mix. Sumner Solomon was an All-State outfielder in 2023 and provides plenty of firepower for the Saints offense. Will Yow and Charlie Pausic are names to know in the infield for STAB. Second year starter Brooks Fox will be back behind the plate in ‘24 and has added some physicality that translates into the offense. While the STAB offense still has some growing to do and experience to gain, expect the arms to be able to carry the load at times while the bats continue to mature.
St. Christophers 
2023 Record: 14-9 *Lost in VISAA Division I Quarterfinals*
While St. Christopher’s does not have a ton to replace in terms of quantity, they will have to replace Bradley Garner (USC-Upstate) and Charlie Knighton (Washington College) who both graduated, but will also have to replace Bryce Neely (UVA), who will miss 2024 with an injury. Although they had some losses, the Saints will get back Jim Douthat (VMI) who should be a big help on the mound. He missed all of 2023 after coming off of a very strong 2022 campaign. Joining Douthat on the mound should be the workhorse in ‘23, Henry Knighton (George Washington). Helping Knighton and Douthat in the innings department will be Christian Gray. The sophomore right hander logged over twenty innings in 2023 and held pretty close to a 2.0 ERA. Two juniors to know are Joseph Conner and Wally Jones. Both of them hit over .275 in 2023 and should be factors this year. The potential driving force in run production for St. Chris should be William Hurt (Virginia Tech). Hurt had five homeruns and seventeen RBI in 2023, but will need to pick up the consistency of the production due to the loss of Garner and Neely.
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 
2023 Record: 15-12
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes is coming off of a solid 2023 season that saw the Saints finish with a winning record, finish third in the IAC, and earn a spot in the VISAA Division I playoffs, falling to Miller School in the first round. The 2024 version of the Saints have the potential to have two true aces in senior Oliver Miller (Case Western) and junior righthander Henry Foresman, who is a must-see arm for college coaches this spring. Also in the mix for the rotation will be senior lefty Matthew Leonardo (Union College NY). Offensively, look for juniors Aiden Potholm and Nicholas Fisher to be the centerpieces of the lineup.
Trinity Episcopal 
2023 Record: 5-15-1
Trinity Episopal has new leadership at the top, with Chris Gerrity taking the reins from longtime program head, Tim Merry. The Titans are coming off of a tough 5-15-1 season, but return two premium arms with Jalen German and Lawson McLeod. The two highly touted sophomores will have to carry a heavy load, especially while the offense takes shape. Cole Hartley, Tony Benitez, Jackson Hobbs, and transfer Dalevon Smith should be some of the names to know on the offensive side. German has big juice in the bat and if he can be a run producer for the Titans, they have the quality arms to hang with the favorites.