Preseason
All-DigitalSports
Baseball Team
13
of the best in the Central Region.
Player
of the year
*Joey Cujas, Manchester, Sr., 3B: Any of three Lancers could have earned this honor. Cujas has a powerful bat, strong arm and dirty glove from the hot corner. VCU signee.
Pitcher
Jordan Boze, Lee-Davis, Jr., P: Three-year starter has had some of the best games in the area the past two years. Can dominate a game.
Infielders
Owen Beightol, Deep Run, Sr.: One of two holdovers from Deep Run’s state quarterfinal team in 2009. Has a live arm from 3B and the mound. Headed to George Washington.
Erik Payne, Mills Godwin, Sr.:
South Carolina signee hit .333 as a junior, scoring 20 runs.
Nick Poulos, Douglas Freeman, Sr.: Richmond’s got a gem from the nearby Rebels. Poulos can rake (hit .339 in ’09) and has a sure glove.
Austin Young, Atlee, Sr.: Power-hitting first baseman is in his fourth year of varsity ball. Headed to nation’s No. 1 team after high school, Virginia. Will also pitch.
Outfielders
*Adam Blankinship, Mills Godwin, Sr.: Coach John Marano is looking for big things in the field and on the mound from Blankinship.
*Austin Kilbourne, Matoaca, Sr.: Wrapped up a .500 season last season to garner all-DS honors. What does he have for an encore? Maryland is his next stop.
Eric Mayers, Hanover, Sr.: Is moving to catcher this year, but he shined in center last season. Will also pitch for the Hawks. Headed to Richmond with his brother, Jake.
Mitchell Shifflett, Cosby, Sr.: Stroked almost .400 last season. Arguably the fastest player on the base paths, dangerous. Going to U.Va.
Catcher
*Chris Ayers, Manchester, Sr.: A bulldog on the mound to close games out, powerful bat and steady behind the dish. Headed to VCU.
Will Connerley, Lee-Davis, Sr.: Confederates’ leader, extremely athletic. Makes it look easy with the equipment on. East Carolina is his next stop.
Utility
*Bill Cullen, Thomas Dale, Sr: Does whatever coach Chris Marshall needs to help the Knights win ballgames. VCU signee hit .443 with 28 RBI, and went 7-2 on the mound against the toughest lineups.
* – Was an
all-DigitalSports pick in ’09.
Preseason Top 10
1. Manchester: The Lancers didn’t finish the job last year, but have the weapons remaining to make another run. Junior Augie Ayers (Liberty) is a terrific middle infielder.
2. Mills Godwin: The Eagles have another terrific squad chock full of talent for coach John Marano to mold.
3. Matoaca: No one wants to pitch against the Warriors with returning hitters like Logan Walker up and down the lineup, and nice pitching options (Brandon Lindsey, Cory Ramsey).
4. Thomas Dale: The Knights lost players to college, but Cullen is back, along with Ryan Moore, to win more games.
5. Lee-Davis: Mike Kluver and Boze will pitch to Connerley, and all three can hit. Lost a tight one to Dale in region quarters in ’09.
6. Cosby: The Titans played well down the stretch, taking the district title. Seven starters are back to challenge the Lancers.
7. Dinwiddie: Chris King (P/SS, Liberty signee) is a sensational all-around player. So is Nick Christopher (P), to make a tough one-two tandem.
8. Deep Run: Another that turned it on late in ’09. But who will step forward to help Beightol? New coach Hicks is looking for someone.
9. Hanover: The Hawks, 2009 state finalist, lost a boatload of seniors. Mayers will lead the pack.
10. James River: The Rapids are becoming a perennial contender, but have even more inexperienced players this year than last.
Others
Atlee: Coach Kevin Elrod likes his squad, including many young players.
Douglas
Freeman: New coach Ray Moore steps in to a team looking for pitching since Patrick Scoggin is at Virginia Tech.
Henrico: Warriors slipped a bit without Seth Culter-Voltz, going 5-14. But all starters are back for a rebound. Look out for seniors Michael Mansfield and Landon Prentiss.
Hermitage: Pitching is strong with senior Darren McLeod and sophomore Chris Burnett.
Hopewell: Four starters are back. Blue Devils got off to 10-1 start in 2009, but faltered. All-district Adam Duncan, and seniors Jordan Carmony and Jonathan Pierce lead the way.
J.R. Tucker: Nice group is returning, led by VMI-bound Matt Winn (.469).
Midlothian: Coach Chris Roarty takes over a green group after fleeing James River.
Monacan: Terrific football player Logan Staib will lead this group.
Patrick Henry: The Patriots are in rebuilding mode with three starters returning.
Prince George: Only three starters are back, but Andy Runion (.321, 6-3 on mound) and Cain Allin (.438, 15 RBI) is a good place to start.
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