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Delaware Teams to Watch (#11-20)

#11: Delaware Military Academy Seahawks  

2025 Record: 15-6
Key Losses: Charlie Porter, Sammy Diaz Martinez, Hunter DiCarlantonio, Kellen Roberts

It’s fair to say expectations for DMA aren’t clearly defined heading into the spring. The program’s history speaks for itself — long regarded as one of the state’s perennial contenders — but the volume of losses from last year’s roster is impossible to ignore.

On the mound, the departures of Porter and DiCarlantonio leave a sizable gap in the rotation. Senior Ian Fyfe is the likely candidate to step into the ace role, with promising sophomore Cameron Hinckle slotting in behind him. Beyond that, the staff will need contributions from arms that have seen little, if any, varsity experience. Offensively, DMA must replace seven of nine starters, a significant overhaul. The silver lining is the return of their top bat in junior Emmett Robinson (Liberty). Trevor Leech is the only other returning starter and appears poised for a breakout season, likely moving into a more prominent role in the middle of the order.

A favorable early-season schedule should provide time to evaluate roles and build chemistry. With Coach Lewis at the helm — widely respected as one of the state’s best — it’s difficult to envision a prolonged struggle. Still, maximizing production from a retooled roster will be the key to replicating DMA’s success from last year.

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#12: Sanford Warriors   

2025 Record: 16-4
Key Losses: John Malloy, Ryan Timmons, Owen Ripple

Sanford heads into 2026 aiming to build on last year’s 16–4 finish, though doing so won’t come without challenges. The loss of three key contributors — most notably John Malloy — leaves a significant void. Malloy paced the team in innings and strikeouts while also hitting .350 and posting a 1.81 ERA, making his absence particularly impactful.

The good news is that staff ace Alex Gannon (Ohio) returns to anchor the rotation. He’ll be supported by senior Nathaniel Axt and younger brother Matthew Gannon, both of whom provide intriguing depth options on the mound. Offensively, Sanford must replace much of its middle-of-the-order production, but three of the top four hitters are back. Cole Ruhland (Salisbury) headlines the lineup, joined by leadoff bat Brandt Corron and cleanup hitter Caleb Ferragamo, along with contributions from both Gannon brothers. Senior Caden Walters also returns after gaining valuable experience last spring and will look to bounce back with a strong final campaign.

Sanford is likely to compile another impressive record, but its season will ultimately be defined by how it performs against the elite teams on its schedule — beginning with a marquee opener against Salesianum.

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#13: Newark Charter Patriots  

2025 Record: 12-8
Key Losses: Logan Matthews

Newark Charter returns all nine offensive starters from last year’s 12–8 squad that also picked up a playoff victory — a formula that typically points toward success. The biggest difference this spring is experience. With an entire lineup back and another year older, the Patriots should benefit from continuity and maturity. Pitching figures to be the foundation of this team. Three arms accounted for roughly 90 percent of the innings last season, headlined by one of the state’s most intriguing tandems in senior Doron Griffin (Goldey-Beacom) and sophomore Tristan Tynan. Replacing the innings lost from their third starter will be key, and that responsibility could be shared among several options.

Offensively, production in key moments will determine just how far Newark Charter can go. Getting runners on base wasn’t the issue a year ago — seven of nine starters hit above .300 — but timely hitting proved to be the difference. The lineup is senior-heavy, with Justin Bennighoff, Griffin, Shane Connor, Patrick Bigliani (Thomas Jefferson), Sean Luxton, and James Horning all returning for their final campaign. Sophomores Charles Beitman and Tynan round out the group, leaving one spot still up for competition. If the Patriots can capitalize in situational at-bats, they have the potential to outperform expectations this season.

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#14: Dover Senators  

2025 Record: 14-6
Key Losses: Kole Turner, Rhett Lancaster

Dover brings back nearly its entire roster from last season’s 14–6 campaign that ended in the state quarterfinals, giving the Senators plenty of reason for optimism. Replacing former ace Kole Turner will be the biggest challenge, but with so many players returning and carrying an extra year of experience, the transition on the mound should be manageable.

Offensively, there is little cause for concern. Six starters who hit at or above the .300 mark return, forming a veteran-heavy core led by seniors Ryan Perkins (Presbyterian) and Carter Bean (East Stroudsburg). Additional depth comes from Chase Greene, Jeremy Drago Jr., Jakhi Jenkins, Preston Byrd, and Caleb Darling — a group made up entirely of seniors aside from Jenkins. On the pitching side, senior Jackson Crowe will look to build on a strong junior season in which he posted a 1.5 ERA over more than 30 innings. Bean is expected to slot into the No. 2 role, with several two-way contributors likely to help round out the staff. The lineup has the potential to be a top-10 offense in the state; if the pitching provides steady support, Dover should be well-positioned to sustain its success.

#15: Red Lion Christian Lions  

2025 Record: 14-4
Key Losses: Dominic Ligouri

Aside from the departure of Dom Liguori, this roster mirrors the one that took the field in 2025. This core has elevated the Lions over the past few seasons, and with the majority now entering their senior year, expectations are high. 

The lineup is loaded with upperclassmen experience — seniors Brayden Redmond (Salisbury), Anthony Contessa (Goldey-Beacom), Caleb Sutton (Wilmington), and Jude Collins headline the group, alongside juniors Owen Griffing, Chandler Smith, and Connor Fitzgerald. Together, they form one of the most balanced and complete offenses in the state. On the mound, Logan Hill (Goldey-Beacom) pairs with Sutton to give Red Lion a dependable 1-2 punch capable of working deep into games. Additional depth should come from Redmond and Griffing, with Smith contributing when he’s not behind the plate. Consistency on a game-to-game basis has been the program’s Achilles’ heel in recent years, but if the Lions can put it all together, a near top-ten finish is well within reach.

 

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#16: Lake Forest Spartans  

2025 Record: 9-9
Key Losses: Brock Robbins, Anthony Hooks

Lake Forest possesses what many programs would consider a prized asset. While teams outside the top ten continue searching for a true game-changing arm, the Spartans already have theirs. Julian Christman (Longwood), the second-ranked pitcher in Delaware, gives this team its identity. His ability to shut down opposing lineups eases the pressure on the offense and creates opportunities to win tight, low-scoring games. 

Behind Christman, junior Lincoln Pieller offers a reliable No. 2 option for Coach Wyatt after showing success in multiple outings last season. The offense, however, enters the year with some uncertainty. Four impact bats return in Colton Wyatt (Arcadia), Kamren McCray, Braydon Martin, and Kaden Wyatt — each expected to anchor the middle of the order. If Lake Forest can generate consistent production from the bottom half of the l\neup, don’t be surprised if the Spartans climb the rankings as the spring unfolds.

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#17: Archmere Academy Auks  

2025 Record: 8-10
Key Losses: Charlie Malloy, Jonathan O'Boyle, Hunter Skelton (transfer)

Archmere has long been one of the state’s most steady programs. After a decade of double-digit win seasons, the Auks have hit a rare rough patch with back-to-back sub-.500 finishes. Still, one constant remains: their ability to reach the postseason. While deep playoff runs have been elusive, Archmere consistently proves to be a tough out in the early rounds. 

Despite the departure of Jonathan O’Boyle and the transfer of Hunter Skelton, the offense should remain productive in 2026 thanks to several returning impact bats. Sophomore Reece O’Halloran headlines the group after impressing over the past nine months. Senior Matthew DiFelice will provide veteran leadership, while juniors Michael Fabris, Silas Aulick, and Dylan Thompson add depth throughout the lineup. Keep an eye on sophomore Luke Luzader as well, as he has the tools to break out in a big way this spring. On the mound, junior Brecken Kessler is expected to shoulder a significant portion of the innings, with O’Halloran and others offering additional depth. The lineup should be capable of generating explosive games; the key will be whether the pitching staff can consistently keep games within reach.

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#18: Sussex Tech Ravens

2025 Record: 12-5
Key Losses: Gavin Hudson, Rosnell Lewis, Brent Evans, Sean Ely Jr., Kameron Tindley, Kobe Tindley

This year’s Sussex Tech roster looks unrecognizable from a season ago. The graduation of seven seniors, including six starters, leaves significant holes to fill and places pressure on the returning group. It shapes up as a potential rebuilding year as they work to reload, but there are still enough holdovers to keep them competitive and far from an easy out. 

Offensively, seniors Logan Micinowski and Tod Armstrong will set the tone, while sophomores Lucas Joseph and Kayden Mitchell bring intriguing upside. The biggest returning impact bats, however, may be the Hazzard brothers — senior Braydon and junior Braxton — who thrived near the bottom of the order last spring, consistently turning the lineup over and creating opportunities. Expect both to move into the heart of the lineup this season. Pitching presents the biggest question marks. Senior Alex Condos returns to anchor the staff, with Joseph also expected to log meaningful innings, but building reliable depth behind them will be critical. 

Sussex Tech also welcomes a promising freshman class led by Colton Crockett, who could see varsity time both on the mound and at the plate. While the immediate outlook suggests a transition year, the foundation is being laid for the program’s next chapter.

 

 

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#19: Polytech Panthers  

2025 Record: 12-6
Key Losses: Elijah Benton, Hermes Rodriguez, Ryan Zimmerman

The 2025 season brought more of the same for Polytech, as the Panthers finished 12–7 and were eliminated in the first round of the DIAA Playoffs in a one-run loss to Newark Charter. While the lineup returns several key contributors, the absence of Hermes Rodriguez will be noticeable. This year’s squad will be driven largely by a talented junior class, with Makai Parker, Deacon Herring, Ethan Garcia, Vance Benton, and Zayne Collins expected to power the offense. The experience they gained last spring should help elevate the group into a strong middle-seeded playoff contender.

On the mound, however, there will be adjustments after the departures of top arms Elijah Benton and Ryan Zimmerman. Junior flamethrower Cameron Allen is set to take over as the staff ace, and several of the aforementioned juniors — particularly Parker, Herring, and Collins — are likely to contribute as key two-way players. The pieces are in place for a strong season; now it comes down to execution.

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#20: William Penn Colonials  

2025 Record: 12-6
Key Losses: Shawn Roy, John Grybowski, Noah Currier

Pitching has defined this team over the past two seasons, but the loss of two key contributors leaves that identity uncertain heading into the new year. The good news is the return of senior two-way standouts Colby Gilbert (Goldey-Beacom) and Justin Weidner (Arcadia), who will anchor a younger roster. Their experience and leadership will be essential on both the mound and at the plate. Offensively, Gilbert and Weidner are expected to set the tone, with fellow senior Michael Baker adding support in the middle of the lineup. Junior Cainan Turner-Jennings flashed potential in limited action last spring and could take on a larger role this season. Much of the projected lineup endured its share of struggles a year ago, so if William Penn hopes to make a playoff push, its pitching staff must continue to suppress runs while the offense finds a higher level of consistency than in recent seasons.

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