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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.

By a coinflip in our pre-tournament meeting, Mills Godwin will be the home team in this game.

Nansemond River

The Warriors went 16-10 in 2023, making it to the state semifinals but falling to Independence. They graduated important pieces in Darnell Parker Jr. and Thomas Wolfe , but they brought back plenty of talent in 2024. Senior Aden Judge (VMI) is going to be a key piece for the Warriors in the outfield and at the plate. Senior Drew Barbosa (Randolph Macon) could be a big time run producer this spring for the Warriors. Camden Bauswell and Buddy Baker (VMI) are arms that could fill a lot of innings this spring. Konner Johnson and Caden Mintz are returners that could take on bigger roles this spring to help the Warriors state title hopes.

Nansemond River entered the week at 1-2 on the season with a pending game on Thursday. The offense has been off to a slower start, with Maison Becker leading the way with a .375 average through three games. On the mound, Aden Judge has served as the closer and Buddy Baker is leading the way on the mound with 9+ innings with Bauswell and Mintz swallowing up most of the remaining innings so far. 

Maison Becker Spotlight
Photo, Name, Stats, Rankings, Etc.

 

 

Aden Judge Spotlight
Photo, Name, Stats, Rankings, Etc.

 

Mills Godwin

The Eagles are the defending Commonwealth Classic Champions, Region 5C champions, and a 2023 State semifinalist. Most importantly, the Eagles return arguably the most pitching depth of any team, in any classification, in the state. Hank Piersol (VCU), Luke Smyers (Alabama), Zach Boyd (William & Mary), Hunter Ross (William & Mary), and Charlie Gunn (CNU) are the top arms in the rotation. There is more depth behind them, but these are the arms that should lead the way. Limiting opposing offenses will not be the issue, the issue will be finding a way to score runs versus some of the premier arms they face. Jackson York and Eric Capps will be two returning bats in the lineup that will have to be consistent producers for the Eagles to have a successful 2024 season. In addition to those two, Piersol and Smyers bring their own offense to the table that should be welcomed faces in the middle of the order. This is a senior heavy team, but there are two underclassmen that should be pivotal parts of this offense and team. Sophomores Matthew Hartsfield and Alex Boyd should fit into the infield in some capacity. Hartsfield is probably the more offensive of the two, with Boyd being a very strong defender that is a switch hitter at the plate. Godwin will need to find some breakout players at the plate, and if they can do that, you could find them hoisting a trophy in early June.

Entering the week, the Eagles are 2-2 with narrow losses to Mechanicsville and Glen Allen and a pair of games slated for the week. In the dominant win over Atlee, David Trenkle had 2 2Bs and 4 RBI while Gunn, Boyd, and Ross combined on a no-hitter with 9 strikeouts over six innings total.