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NORTH STAFFORD

Classification: VHSL 5A / Region D     2022 Record: 5-16

The North Stafford Wolverines return a large portion of their roster in 2023, after losing only two contributors in AJ Labrusciano (Rider) and Keenan Fullwood (EMU). Losing Labrusciano is big because he impacted the game significantly on the mound and at the plate. A few names to remember for the 2023 Wolverine squad are Nathan Klepic, Jack Pearson, Graham Ward, and Pearson Ward (Montreat). Along with Pearson Ward, Andre Velez should provide some senior leadership and give some experience. 

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INDEPENDENCE

 

Classification: VHSL 5A / Region D     2022 Record: 19-6 *Lost in state quarters*

The Tigers made a State Tournament trip in their first year in Class 5 in 2022 and while they lost some key pieces to graduation, they have plenty back to compete again this spring. Topping the rotation will be senior lefty Chad Yates (William & Mary) and senior Jackson McDonald (East Carolina) will also return from injury. There is plenty of depth on the mound with seniors Ben Ross (Penn St-Harrisburg) and Colin Scherer (James Madison) and Tyler Fetterman (East Tennessee State) behind the top two. McDonald and Fetterman will also be key pieces in an offense that will be built around senior middle infielder David Mendez (Dayton), who was a breakout players last spring for the Tigers.

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RIVERBEND

 

 Classification: VHSL 5A / Region D     2022 Record: 12-8

The Riverbend Bears lost a handful of seniors from their 2022 squad, but will return plenty of talent and experience in 2023. The Bears are under new leadership and have one of the more electric athletes in the 2023 class with Billy Fluharty (Bucknell). Fluharty has game changing speed and should anchor the front end of the order. Fellow senior Collin Snyder (Shepherd) should be another big offensive piece and with both the Bears have the ability to produce runs. The Bears have a few other upperclassmen that should help out with the offensive load, but who will be the go to arm for Riverbend? In 2022 Riverbend had trouble keeping opposing offenses from scoring runs. While they do not really have that upperclassmen shutdown arm, they do have a host of capable arms to keep them in games. One to watch for this spring that could emerge as their ace at some point is Aiden Klimtzak. 

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RIVERSIDE

 Classification: VHSL 5A / Region D     2022 Record: 19-6 *Lost in State Quarters*

Riverside comes off of an outstanding 2022 that saw them nearly eclipse the twenty win mark. The Rams will need to replace a couple of seniors who helped lead the way. Staff co-ace Steven Trone (ODU) will certainly be missed in 2023, as he was a shutdown arm in 2022. Mac Yarbrough (Norfolk State) and Stone Lasseigne (CNU) also moved on to the next level and their contributions will be missed. However, Riverside returns one of the best players in the state with Duke commit, Kyle Johnson. Johnson was the other half of the dynamic duo on the mound for the Rams and will shoulder a lot of the innings load this season. Ryan DeMartin (Georgetown) should help carry some of that load, as well as Villanova commit Conor Smith. Along with Johnson, Cavan McMeans (College of Charleston) should be a pivotal piece in the Rams lineup. They have plenty of depth on the mound, but they will need to figure out the offense if they want to challnge for the 5D region title, as well as the 5A state title. 

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STONE BRIDGE

Classification: VHSL 5A / Region D     2022 Record: 15-9

The Stone Bridge Bulldogs return six starters in 2023. Kyle Carpe, Jack Hayes (ODU), and David Korte all gained postseason honors for the Bulldogs in 2022. Also returning is Bridgewater commit, Chandler Valbak. They will need to replace Alex Perrin who was a pivotal arm for the Bulldogs. They have a nice mixture of arms that got some solid experience in 2022 and should bring some depth on the mound in 2023. 

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