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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, Independence will be the designated home team in this game.

#5 Benedictine Collegiate

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.

The Cadets entered the week 3-1 on the 2024 season, with a pair of tight wins over Miller School and Walsingham Academy on their record. In the win over Miller, Jake Wise threw a five-hit complete game shutout while Riley Roarty had two hits and drove in the games only run. Wise also went 6 scoreless in the 1-0 win over Walsingham as he enters the Classic on a tear.

Independence

The defending Region 5D Champs have been a varsity program for three seasons and in that time have won a Class 3A State Championship, two Region Championships, and finished as a State Runner-up. They have played June baseball every year they have played so far. They lost some significant talent to graduation with the departures of Tyler Fetterman (East Tennessee State), Jackson McDonald (East Carolina), David Mendez (Dayton), Colin Scherer (James Madison), Chad Yates (William & Mary), Maddox Jordan (Averett), and Ben Ross (Penn State-Harrisburg). Most programs would be devastated by those losses, but not this Independence program, which will reload again this spring. On the mound, the pitcher with the most big-game experience coming back is junior lefty Carter Schuster, but there is plenty of depth to fill out the rotation and lineup with a slew talented two-way players. Junior Chase Obstgarten was a big offensive contributor last year and will become the focal point for the offense and could add some innings. Sophomore Colton Hicks started as a freshman at third base and will move to the middle of the lineup while also potentially chipping in on the mound. Sophomore Matthew Feldman and handful of others could end up forcing their way into time here as the Tigers reload for another run. Don't be shocked to see them still alive in June, again. 

The Tigers are off to a 1-4 start on the season entering the week, but did wrap up last week with a dominant win over North Stafford. Carter Schuster threw 5 strong innings in the win, allowing just 1 hit, while Brady Yates had 3 hits and Colton Hicks had an RBI and 2 scoreless innings.