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As we prepare for the second annual Commonwealth Classic, we will preview each opening matchup by looking closely at each team in the matchup. 

The Commonwealth Classic will take place on Saturday, March 30, and Monday, April 1, at multiple locations in the Richmond area. Games on the first day of action at each site will be at 10 am and 1 pm at Ironbridge Academy in Chester and the evening games will be at 4 pm and 7 pm at RF&P and Dorey Park. The morning games are set, but the afternoon games and locations will be determined based on the morning results, with winners playing winners at RF&P. Monday games will be throughout the day, again based on Saturday results, with the Championship Game being at 7 pm at RF&P Park.

After a coinflip in our pre-tournament meeting on Sunday night, Atlee will be the designated home team in this game.

Atlee

The Raiders have been young for two years and now is the time for them to assert their position in the top tier of teams in VHSL 4A. It will not be an easy task, as their two cross-town foes will be very tough to topple. Noah Yoder (Duke) is one of the best arms in the state, regardless of class, and they have some depth behind him to limit opposing offenses. Aven Stevens (Randolph-Macon) is probably their number two behind Yoder, but there is a contingent of arms nipping at their heels to get some important innings. Jason Perkins is one we have seen this offseason that has the ability to spin it and limit opponents, as well as some young faces like Evan Salapka and Chase Blumberg. How much will the young arms contribute? Time will tell, but they have a handful of sophomore arms that will be depth pieces to build on this year and beyond. Another quality arm that just flat gets outs is Parker McRay. This is one of the few left handers that will probably be a quality inning arm this year and he can limit damage when he is on the mound. The offense is the question mark. The Raiders have not been a big inning production team and that has added some stressful innings to this staff. If they can produce some big innings and get up early it will allow Yoder and Co. to work some easier games and allow them to be fresh deep into the season. Chase Chamberlain will more than likely be a three year starter behind the plate. Will Haynie, Seth Jones, and Cooper Molloy will more than likely anchor the infield. They have some talent and athleticism in the outfield as well. Names like Barrett Bucholz (Virginia), Owen Goble, and Dawson Langhorst are some quality pieces that could contribute out there. All three have had flashes and could see larger roles this year. Most importantly for this team, Bucholz is back healthy and gives them some depth behind the plate and versatile athleticism that they can plug in some different places.

The Raiders will enter the Commonwealth Classic with a 3-1 record and coming off of a dominant win over Tucker, a game in which Aven Stevens got the start and punched out five in three innings. Seth Jones had 3 hits, including a 2B, and 3 RBI in the game.

St. Albans     

The defending DCSAA champions return five starters and four arms from their 2023 championship team. The standout name is obviously Myles Upchurch (Alabama), who is one of the top arms in the state, regardless of class. While Upchurch is a big piece of the puzzle the Bulldogs return some key names like Derek Desmarais (Tufts), Preston Benner, and Logan An. Seniors Satchel Hamilton and Sammy Findler will be important pieces to add depth to this team. There are a couple of underclassmen that should have long term impacts for this program. Keep an eye out for a trio of sophomores, Henry Miller, Caleb Kim, and Jacob Romhilt, as well as freshman George Minjack, to be potential impact players in this program during the course of their career. 

The Bulldogs have found a way to play 11 games so far in just two weeks via a pair of tournaments, going 5-6 in that stretch as they enter the week. They do have a pending game on Wednesday but do own a big win over Archbishop Curley, a game in which Benner tossed six no-hit innings and Martin clsoed out the no-no. Offensively, An, Minjack, Miller, and Upchurch have pushed their way into the heart of the lineup for the Bulldogs.