Follow @PBRVirginiaDC 
Facebook + Instagram

Western Branch returns their core from a Region 6A Championship team. Deep Run and Glen Allen move in and have their own strengths that will allow them to compete. There is probably more depth in this region than there has been in the past couple of years. Who will come out on top? Take a look at the full preview below. 

VHSL 6A Region A Preview:

Cosby

2023 Season Preview: 14-9

While the Titans graduated a few players in numbers last season, they return most of their production, and potentially add some talented young players. Giovanni Briggs (Randolph-Macon) and Jack Weight (William & Mary) should be the workhorses on the mound. Briggs simply pitches and Weight has made some big jumps to be a frontline arm and be the shut down guy that they have lacked for the past year or two. Offensively they have depth and experience, starting with an all-state type of shortstop, Ayden Schnarrs (VMI). Schnarrs should be joined in the lineup by Seth Truesdale (Richard Bland), Brendan Hall (EMU), Jack Hinton (EMU), Stephen Hawkins, and Greer Cabanban. Two underclassmen that will make their presence known in 2024 is sophomore Michael Williams (Virginia Tech) and freshman Blake LaMattina. Williams will fit in the rotation and be a pivotal piece to the pitching staff, while LaMattina looks to fill a void in the infield and will bring athleticism, versatility, and offensive firepower to this Cosby team. This Cosby team has the talent and depth to make a push in 6A.

---

Deep Run

2023 Season Preview: 13-10

Deep Run will have a big void to fill in the middle infield, replacing Josiah Seguin and Cameron Rizzo. Those two have played a big part in the defense and offense the past few years so it will be tough to fill their shoes. Insert the two arms of Trey Gauch (JMU) and Sam Bennett (VMI) to slow down opposing offenses, and the Wildcats’ offense should have some time to grow. Caleb Dillon (High Point), Vincent Porcaro, and Eric Skowysz are just a few names to know on the offensive side, as well as Gauch and Bennett. Another arm to watch for the Wildcats is junior Parker Noonan. Noonan pitches and gets outs. If he can take a small jump this spring, then he should fill some valuable innings for Deep Run. This step up to 6A will be a tough one, but they have some quality pitching talent that will allow them to compete come tournament time.

---

Glen Allen

2023 Season Preview: 13-4

The Jaguars, like Deep Run, make the move up to 6A. Region 5C is one of the toughest in all of VHSL, so this could benefit Glen Allen, specifically this season. Daniel Nienaber (UVA) has premium stuff and should be their go to arm. While they did graduate some talent from last year, they return some pivotal pieces to make another run. Joining Nienaber on the mound is Nathan Love (Hampden-Sydney), Chase Fultz  (Paul D. Camp), and a few potential underclassmen arms to watch, including Alex Awad. Awad could pull some two-way duty and has a chance to be a reliable inning eater on the mound. Offensively is where Glen Allen has a chance to separate itself from the pack. Jackson Toole (Longwood), Ben Pulliam, Will Hemp, and Colin Whidbee are returners that will be impact guys in the lineup. It will be tough to replace Andrew Harris (PHCC), Chris Johnson (Bryant & Stratton), and Cameron Slough (CNU), but they have the pieces to pick up where they left off. A big void was left with Slough’s graduation, as he was a multi-year starter behind the plate and brought talent as well as valued leadership. Levi Jones is a name to watch, as he has a chance to bring some talent behind the plate for the Jaguars this spring.

---

Grassfield

2023 Season Preview: 17-6 *Lost in VHSL 6A State Quarterfinals*

The Grizzlies have some serious offensive production to replace from 2023. Grassfield lost seniors Jacob Bunch (PHCC), Jacob Henry, (Lynchburg), Dylan McClellan (EMU), and Maddox Tsutsui. While McClellan may have had a little more impact on the mound, the other three made big contributions throughout their career. While the offense is a question mark, they do return frontline arm in Bradley Zayac (ECU). Matthew Sabale (Lynchburg) will add some depth behind Zayac, but they will need to find a few other arms if they want to make it back to the state tournament this year. Ryan Hoeft (Georgia Highlands JC) and Nyenati "Pudgy" Snoh (Norfolk State) should be focal points for the offense, but they will need to show some depth with the supporting cast.

---

Landstown

2023 Season Preview: 14-8

Athleticism and talent are at the forefront for this 2024 version of Landstown. Trey Campos (JMU), Kyle Flora, Cam Tellefsen (ODU), Colin Kim (Longwood), and George Chevalier (VMI) are some of the names to know with this group. While Campos is a lockdown defender in center, he may have the most value for this team on the mound. Campos has a chance to be staff ace, as well as a two-way standout at the plate. Chevalier should add valuable quality depth on the mound. Who will fill in behind those two? That will be an important question for them to answer. Offensive talent is there with the hit tool in front of the lineup bat Kyle Flora. Campo and Tellefsen should be run producers in the middle of the order. Does Landstown have enough to push them through in a very tough Region 6A?

---

Manchester

2023 Season Preview: 12-8-1

The Lancers will have a tough time replacing the talent that Aiden Harris (UVA) and Donavan Jeffrey (Miami) bring to a roster. However, they return an important offensive piece in Jackson Wise (Lynchburg) and a talented sophomore arm, Jayden Grant. While those two are two of the better players in this region, it will be a tough road for this Lancers team that lacks a ton of depth on the mound and in the lineup.

---

Thomas Dale

2023 Season Preview: 17-4

The Knights are coming off of a 18-4 season and have some turnover, from top to bottom. A new head coach arrives with James Wilkerson and they have a few important losses from graduation and transfers. Returning is star outfielder Matthew McGovern (Radford) and Everett Stevens (Norfolk State). Those are two of the three returning starters and they will have to find a way to offset some of their offensive losses. Staff ace Chase Swift (Virginia Tech) departed for PDG Academy. Stevens and Jason Theiss have some big innings to fill. Both have arm talent, but will need to be efficient in the zone to get deep into games to preserve some holes deeper in the staff. Outside of McGovern, look for Andrew Zappa and Garrett Spears to play big roles in the lineup, as well as some young freshmen making contributions this season.

---

Western Branch

2023 Season Preview: 17-6 *Region A Champions - Lost in VHSL 6A State Quarterfinals*

The Bruins are back after winning the regional championship last season. While they lost super senior Nic Poole (JMU), they return the vast majority of their lineup. They are as talented and deep as they have been and will be a tough out in 2024. Coach Wright is one of the best to do it and will have these guys prepared heading into the season. Strong point for this team: offensive depth and versatility. Question mark: quality depth on the mound. Gavin Biernot (VMI) and Payton Tone are the best arms on this staff and have the experience, leadership, and stuff to take them to the top. An interesting name to know that could potentially help this staff is junior left hander Miles Melescu. The Wright twins (Jacob and Joshua), Markise Smith, Seth Sadler, Logan Adams, Parker Coyle, and Tone are all strong points in this deep and talented lineup.