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Region Preview: Class A - Region IV

March 18, 2015

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

With the start of the high school season is less than a month away we will be previewing each region in each classification statewide. In addition to a look at the top teams we will also highlight some of the top prospects in each region. Look for our initial Elite Eight team rankings in each classification to appear later this month.

Class A - Region IV

Preseason Favorites

Parkersburg Catholic (18-13) / Charleston Catholic (21-11)

Two Catholic School programs appear to be the favorites heading into the 2015 campaign. The Crusaders return plenty of offense from a team that registered 18 wins in 2014, including Preseason Player of the Year Jake Boice. Charleston Catholic looks to make a return trip to states following a one year absence. The Irish will have to find a way to replace two-way skills of Connor Golden but return the lion's share of a young lineup that accounted for 21 wins a year ago.

Preseason Player of the Year

Jake BoiceJake Boice, C, Parkersburg Catholic HS (Class of 2016)

Boice has put up eye-popping offensive numbers through three years of high school baseball. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting catcher has 140 hits, 105 RBI and 95 runs scored to date. The .446 career hitter knocked the baseball around the yard to the tune of a .542 clip during his junior year. Boice also began to display some signs of developing power last year with his four triples and 16 doubles accounting for over 1/3 of his 54 hits. Possibly his most impressive offensive statistic, Boice struck out just three times in 130 plate appearances in 2014 finishing the year with a .600 on base percentage.

Top Prospects


Buffalo            

* The Bison will suffer some growing pains following a region finals appearance in 2014. The loss of 2014 Class A player of the year, RHP Aaron Lewis will be a big whole to fill following an 18-11 season.

Calhoun County

* The Red Devils finished 7-19 in 2014 including a 1-2 record in the sectional tournament.     

Charleston Catholic

* A young Irish roster battled to a 21-11 finish in 2014 and return all but two members of their roster in 2015. Connor Golden (Marietta) will be missed, but look for the Irish to build on last year with the return of 11 players from a year ago.

Doddridge County

Drew Lett  

Drew Lett, SS/RHP (Class of 2016, ranked No. 39 in class)

Gilmer County

 * A run to the state semifinals and a final record of 25-11 gave Titans fans plenty to cheer about in 2014. The 2015 campaign will begin with a lot of new faces following the loss of seven starters to graduation.

Hannan

* The Wildcats lost twice to Calhoun County in last year's sectional tournament finishing with seven wins on the season.

Parkersburg Catholic

Jake Boice Andrew Cinalli Cary Casto
        Boice                 Cinalli                 Casto

Jake Boice,  C (Class of 2015, ranked No. 18 in class)
Andrew Cinalli, RHP/OF (Class of 2015, ranked No. 42 in class)
Nick Roedersheimer, OF/2B (Class of 2015)
Cary Casto, 1B (Class of 2016, ranked No. 19 in class)

St. Joseph Central Catholic

* The Irish look to make strides in a rugged section with Buffalo and Charleston Catholic, two programs that combined for more than 20 wins each in 2014.

Wahama

Jared Nutter, 2B/RHP (Class of 2016)

Williamstown

 * The Yellowjackets return all but two players from an 11 win 2014 roster that lost to Parkersburg Catholic in the section finals.

Wirt County

* The Tigers look to improve on a four win season in 2014.

>> View all region previews & preseason players of the year by region


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