Follow @PrepBaseballMD
Facebook + Instagram

Bayside Conference

Colonel Richardson Colonels  

2025 Record: 12-8
Key Departures: Jordan Regulski

After a decade-long stretch that included three state championship appearances and numerous battles with rival Saint Michaels, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Colonels experience some level of regression. With the loss of the conference’s most dominant pitchers in back-to-back seasons — Daniel Hesson in 2024 and Jordan Regulski in 2025 — the team enters 2026 without its usual identity built around a shutdown rotation. This spring, the staff will be led by Jack Walls (Ursinus), with seniors Kenton Robbins and Jamie Mensonides expected to follow in the rotation. All three bring meaningful starting experience and past success, even if their raw stuff doesn’t necessarily jump off the page.

Offensively, Walls will likely remain the centerpiece of the lineup, though a number of upperclassmen from last year’s roster return to support him. Behind the plate, the junior tandem of Caleb Rouser and John Beaven has shown steady development, and both are expected to take steps forward offensively. Derrick Mitchell also returns in the outfield, bringing valuable starting experience to what is otherwise a younger roster. Even without Regulski, the pitching staff should be steady enough to keep the Colonels in close games. Ultimately, however, this team’s ceiling will depend on its ability to generate offense in key moments — getting runners into scoring position and capitalizing on opportunities, something that has been inconsistent in recent seasons.

---

Crisfield Crabbers  

2025 Record: 1-18
Key Departures: Dillon Mister, Owen Balderson, Ryan Sterling

Crisfield has really struggled in the first half of the decade thus far, but they seem determined to turn a corner and compete here over the next few years. Although they lost a couple seniors, this team still brings back most of their core from a year ago. 

When it comes to the pitching side, junior Carter Marsh looks to lead the way once again with highly intriguing freshman Cooper Thomas following suit, as he could have a substantial role only as a freshman. Senior Jonathan Klass and junior Peyton Mills look to round out the remainder of the rotation. Offensively, John Wayne Dize returns as the leadoff hitter looking for an even stronger 2026 campaign, as he’ll be joined by Aiden Cornelius, Jeffrey Cuff, Thomas Laird, and Aiden Bradsaw, among the mound contributors listed above to round out their starting lineup, one similar to last season’s. With the addition of Thomas and another year of experience for this roster, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Crisfield sees some improvements on both sides of the ball this spring.

---

Easton Warriors  

2025 Record: 11-7
Key Departures: Kayden Webb, Michael O'Connor, Dylan Cassell, Garrett Fink, Chase Raab, Colin Mooney

When it comes to the team that lost the most in both production and overall personnel, Easton likely tops the list. The Warriors graduated seven of their nine starting hitters and also lost nearly 70% of their innings pitched, leaving the roster largely reset heading into the new season. With so much turnover, this spring presents an opportunity for a younger group of players to step in and begin building the next foundation for the program.

One encouraging piece for Easton is the return of senior Dustin Blue, who moves into the role of staff ace after serving as the team’s No. 2 arm last season. Behind him, the only other returning pitchers who logged innings last spring are seniors Paxton Echternach, who threw 14 innings, and Jackson Diefenderfer, who recorded just three. As a result, much of the pitching staff will be made up of players gaining varsity experience for the first time. The offensive lineup presents similar challenges. Blue is expected to lead the way at the plate, with Couper Barletta, Carter Mooney, and Echternach providing additional depth as they look to bounce back from difficult offensive seasons a year ago. One player who could emerge as a contributor is senior James Shaw, who saw limited at-bats last spring but made the most of his opportunities.

Overall, this season shapes up as a transitional year for Easton, with some growing pains likely early in the schedule. Still, if Dustin Blue can deliver a strong senior campaign and the younger pieces develop quickly, the Warriors could find ways to string together some wins along the way.

---

James M. Bennett Clippers  

2025 Record: 15-4
Key Departures: Cory Fisher, Trevin Whitelock, Jordan Dillard, Jake McFarland

As many expected, James M. Bennett put together a strong 2025 campaign, highlighted by the effectiveness and depth of its pitching staff. Competing in a difficult region, Bennett wasn’t considered the favorite entering the postseason and ultimately dropped its opening game to Severna Park, though the contest was far more competitive than their meeting the year prior.

Looking ahead to 2026, Bennett returns several key contributors. While they may not surpass last season’s win total, the departure of Severna Park to Class 4A does make the path through the region slightly more manageable — though still far from easy. On the mound, senior Cooper Witt (Shenandoah) returns after emerging as the staff’s most effective arm during his junior season, despite technically serving as the team’s No. 3. However, pitching depth shifts from a strength in 2025 to the program’s biggest question mark this spring, as several players with limited varsity experience will need to step into larger roles. Logan Chatham, Mitchel Layne, Owen Hare, and Caleb McFarland appear to be the most likely candidates to absorb a significant portion of the available innings, though the early part of the season should provide a clearer picture of how the staff will shape up.

Offensively, Bennett returns nearly all of the bats that fueled its noticeable improvement at the plate last year. Reigning conference Player of the Year Carson Bennett (Keystone) is back for his senior season, joined by a reliable group of upperclassmen that includes Tyler Hunt (Neumann), Braeden Sharp, and standout left-handed hitter Blake Bunting (Salisbury) — one of our favorite hit tools in the class. In the outfield, junior Kaden Jacoby-Sample adds athleticism and will look to rebound after a slight dip in production last season, aiming to return to the form he showed during his impressive freshman campaign.

If Cooper Witt can replicate the success he had as a junior and the offense produces consistently from top to bottom, Bennett should still have plenty of reason for optimism. Even with the losses from last year’s roster, the Clippers have the pieces to mirror their 2025 success.

---

Kent Island Buccaneers  

2025 Record: 9-10
Key Departures: Wyatt Offutt, Traise Woolford, Aiden Bonds

Kent Island experienced its share of ups and downs last spring, struggling at times to find a consistent rhythm throughout the season. While the pitching staff loses some key firepower, the offense returns largely intact as the Buccaneers enter 2026 with another year of experience across the lineup.

Offensively, the Grossi brothers are expected to lead the charge once again. Older brother Jack Grossi (Lynchburg) and younger brother Derek Grossi helped define the team’s identity last season, giving Kent Island two dangerous left-handed bats in the middle of the order. They’ll be supported by senior Logan Baierlein (Prince George’s CC) along with several returning contributors who gained valuable experience last spring, including upperclassmen Landon Hymers, Jacob Keever, Myles Harmon, and Kevin Coe. The lineup has the ability to generate runs, but their success will hinge on producing against the top teams in the conference.

On the mound, senior Hayden Austin (Washington) is expected to anchor the staff after making notable improvements to his arsenal over the past six months. Derek Grossi also figures to play a key role on the pitching side as a secondary option. Depth remains the biggest question for the Buccaneers, though intriguing freshman Jayce Kulp could carve out a role if the coaching staff believes he’s ready for the varsity level. While Kent Island enters the season with some questions, the Buccaneers have long been one of the conference’s more consistent programs, and they should once again field a competitive squad.

---

Mardela Warriors  

2025 Record: 15-5
Key Departures: Brady Colwell, Ethan Roberts

Mardela once again put together an impressive season in 2025, but fell just short of advancing further after a heartbreaking extra-inning loss to regional powerhouse Snow Hill. The two teams battled for 14 innings before Mardela ultimately dropped the one-run thriller in the region final. Despite that setback, the Warriors return multiple college commits on both sides of the ball and should remain highly competitive, likely entering the season as the favorite in 1A East Region II.

On the mound, senior Will Premo (Virginia Wesleyan) returns after emerging as one of the more underrated arms in the area last spring, exceeding expectations throughout the season. He’ll be joined by junior Brayden Phippin, giving Mardela a reliable one-two punch that should keep them in close games as they work through the schedule. Offensively, the Warriors will benefit from a fully healthy season from senior Nathan Feather (Virginia Wesleyan), one of the conference’s top hitters who anchors the middle of the lineup. Leadoff hitter Haedon Hitch also returns, along with fellow sophomore Bryce Harr, who is expected to take on a larger role after seeing time in the bottom half of the order last season.

With a strong core still in place, Mardela has plenty of reason for optimism as it looks to replicate the regular-season success of the past two years and make another run toward the state tournament before this group moves on.

---

North Caroline Bulldogs  

2025 Record: 8-11
Key Departures: Austin Frank, Cameron King, Jonathan Radcliffe

North Caroline put together a serviceable 2025 campaign, playing spoiler to many contenders — most notably with wins over Decatur, Colonel, and Saint Michaels. Austin Frank was a big reason why, and now with his departure, the rotation turns back to a familiar face. Owen Caraballo is finally back to lead the rotation as a junior after missing all of 2025. Behind him, Oliver Frankowski projects as a reliable number two option, with household names such as sophomores Karson Hollingsworth and Adam Deck to fill the remainder of available innings.  

On offense, expect the Deck brothers — older brother Eric and younger brother Adam — to provide the identity as producers that can unlock another gear in an instant and provide explosive power. Ethan Poore and Thomas Necessary return to provide stability in the heart of the order, as we expect the remainder of the lineup to consist of new faces and the names within the rotation, such as Caraballo. I don’t believe we’ve seen this group hit their ceiling, meaning that a strong 2026 campaign could lead to a winning record for the Bulldogs. However, if they proved anything last spring, it’s that you don’t want to go into North Caroline unprepared or you’ll be riding back home surprised. 

---

North Dorchester Eagles  

2025 Record: 11-12
Key Departures: TJ Leonard, Blake Bunting, Sutton Dukes, Nate Swann

We head down to Hurlock to take a look at North Dorchester, a team coming off a sub-.500 season, but one that still managed to pick up a few notable wins. The Eagles pulled off an upset over Colonel Richardson in the regional playoffs before eventually falling to Saint Michaels. All things considered, it was a respectable first season under new head coach Billy Jackson as the program looks to build toward improvement in 2026.

The losses of Leonard and Bramble will impact the overall ceiling of the offense, but North Dorchester gains an important addition in sophomore transfer Blake Wheatley, who arrives from Saint Michaels. Wheatley should immediately step into a key role in the lineup and figures to be one of the team’s top hitters alongside senior Nate Fraccaroli (Neumann), forming a dependable offensive duo. Leadoff hitter and center fielder Kash Thomas also returns, joined by fellow upperclassmen Peyton Bleyer, Manny Reyes, Lane Abey, and Keith Biggar III to round out the lineup.

On the mound, the Eagles bring back their top arm in junior Gage Kral, who will look to build on a solid sophomore campaign. North Dorchester projects to land somewhere in the middle of the pack once again, but the experience across the roster should make them a team that opponents can’t afford to overlook. With a newly reshaped region this season, it will be interesting to see just how high the Eagles’ ceiling can be.

---

Parkside Rams  

2025 Record: 17-6
Key Departures: Chase Shepherd, David Harkins II, Connor Griffin, Canaan Mapp, Chase Hurley

Parkside is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which the Rams shifted into another gear once the postseason began, making a deep run through Class 2A and reaching their second state championship game in the last three years before falling in a tight, low-scoring one-run contest. While several senior contributors — most notably Chase Shepherd — have moved on to the college level, Parkside still returns a roster loaded with talent.

The biggest headline is the return of senior Tristan Merritt (Frostburg State), who comes back to Parkside after spending a year at Combine Academy in North Carolina. Merritt anchors what may be the deepest pitching staff in the conference, giving Coach Daubert and Coach Owens plenty of reliable options on the mound. Tanner Trudeau (CCBC Essex) once again projects as the No. 2 starter after a breakout junior season in his first year following a transfer from Bennett. Behind them, juniors Frank Harrison Jr. and Gavin Luffman add depth, while sophomores Austin Kinhart, Paxton Green, and Dave Smith round out a well-stocked staff.

Offensively, junior standout Ryan Lewis — one of the top catchers in the conference — returns behind the plate and is expected to spark the lineup once again from the leadoff spot. The middle of the order will feature Trudeau and Green, providing some pop and run-producing ability. Seniors Brayden Smith (Waynesburg) and Garrett Jones should also take on expanded roles after contributing last spring. Another key addition is Aiden Headley (Keystone), who transfers in after a year at Delmar, following his time at Salisbury Christian. Headley brings immediate impact on both sides of the ball and should help offset the losses from last year’s graduating class.

All signs point to a promising 2026 season for Parkside. With a legitimate frontline ace who is a strong candidate for conference Pitcher of the Year, a proven lineup, and the motivation of last year’s state title loss still fresh, the Rams have the pieces in place. The only question now is whether they can finish the job this spring.

---

Queen Anne's County Lions  

2025 Record: 12-9
Key Departures: Noah Palmer, Travis Sutch, Dulin Clark, Noah Cramer, Ethan Keppler

Queen Anne’s is coming off a successful 2025 season that saw the Lions capture the Bayside North Division title and make a push toward the state tournament before falling to eventual state runner-up Parkside in the regional championship. Much of last year’s success was fueled by impressive contributions from a large group of underclassmen, which now serves as the foundation for the program moving forward as it enters a new era under first-year head coach Lee Collison, who arrives from Chesapeake College.

The pitching staff brings back several key pieces that helped make Queen Anne’s one of the more surprising units in the conference last season. The rotation will be led by juniors Nathan Procopio and Jacob Clough, both of whom delivered strong performances throughout the year. Procopio, in particular, turned heads with an 8.1-inning, one-run outing against Parkside in late April. Behind them, sophomore flamethrower Caleb Sutch is quickly emerging as one of the conference’s rising arms and could step into a significant role this spring.

Offensively, Procopio, Clough, and Sutch will also be key contributors, supported by a talented group of juniors that includes Chance Hegedus, Hunter Bloodsworth, and Arden Clark. While this is still a relatively young Queen Anne’s squad, the Lions bring plenty of hunger and potential as they look to gain valuable postseason experience. Even if everything doesn’t fully come together this spring, the program appears well positioned for success in the years ahead.

---

Saint Michaels Saints  

2025 Record: 17-7
Key Departures: Will Sherwood, Pearson Greenwood, Jack Brennan, Blake Wheatley (transfer)

It’s always rewarding when a team surpasses expectations, and Saint Michaels did exactly that in 2025. The Saints returned with a roster full of young talent and a goal of making a run, which they did, making it all the way to the state championship, and now enter the new season with nearly the same roster intact. Coach Femi has consistently gotten the most out of his players, and with so much returning production, Saint Michaels will be considered one of the favorites to take home the Class 1A title.

The pitching staff does lose one of the state’s most reliable arms in Will Sherwood, but the rest of the group remains largely intact. Brock Grow (Widener) returns as the staff’s ace for his senior season after starting the state championship game as part of an impressive junior campaign. Sophomore left-hander Brandon Toadvine steps into the No. 2 role in the rotation after logging 15 innings as a freshman, while senior Eli Wallace continues to project as a dependable third starter. The bullpen features senior Nate Spurry (Central Penn), one of the conference’s most trusted relievers and closers last season, along with sophomore AJ Dove, who is expected to take on a larger role after limited action last spring.

Offensively, Saint Michaels returns the core that fueled last year’s deep postseason run. Seniors Connor Wheeler (Central Penn) and Brennen Dean lead the lineup, while Ethan Royer, Grow, and Dove add further depth to a well-rounded offense. The Saints also feature a strong group of underclassmen, with sophomores Lucas Greenwood and Toadvine likely to see a notable increase in at-bats as they settle into roles in the lower half of the order.

The identity of this Saint Michaels team revolves around keeping games low-scoring while consistently getting runners on base. The Saints drew 202 free passes last season, including an impressive 57 hit-by-pitches, demonstrating both patience at the plate and a willingness to take what pitchers give them. Once those runners reach base, Saint Michaels has proven adept at capitalizing on opportunities, making them especially dangerous when paired with their aggressive approach on the basepaths and ability to rack up stolen bases.

---

Snow Hill Eagles  

2025 Record: 14-7
Key Departures: Dominic Kuipers, Justin Shipley

Even with Todd Lampman’s departure, the results remained steady under first-year head coach Brady Hare. After opening the season with a challenging stretch that left the Eagles at 2–3 through their first five games, Snow Hill found its rhythm and closed the regular season with an impressive 10–3 run. The mental side of the game proved just as important as the physical, and the Eagles demonstrated that when the postseason arrived. After suffering two lopsided regular-season losses to regional favorite Mardela, Snow Hill got another shot in the region final and came away with a dramatic 14-inning victory.

The challenge entering 2026 is replacing key contributors Kuipers and Shipley, both of whom played major roles in last year’s regional championship run. The good news is that Finn Mahoney returns for his senior season, bringing valuable experience and leadership to the roster. Juniors Josiah Ayers and transfer Rance Weaver should see plenty of at-bats as Snow Hill looks to build on last year’s success and make another push toward the state tournament. On the mound, we start with some unfortunate news. The Eagles will be without standout junior Ronan Leonard, as he will miss the entire 2026 season on the mound after receiving Tommy John. He is still expected to heavily contribute offensively, but we won’t see him on the mound this spring. Sophomore Cayden Holloway likely gets called upon for even a bigger role than we were anticipating, trying to provide stability in the rotation. Without a doubt, the rotation remains the biggest question — but with a younger roster this spring, the Eagles’ early-season games should provide a clearer picture of where they stack up among their competition.

---

Stephen Decatur Seahawks  

2024 Record: 19-3
Key Departures: Nate Berzonski, Jackson Cheung, Ben Powers, Kolton Zender, 

Stephen Decatur has become the talk of Bayside baseball in recent years, but their results over the past five seasons have mirrored those of the Baltimore Ravens — dominant during the regular season, yet unable to carry that momentum deep into the postseason. The Seahawks were nearly flawless in 2025, highlighted by a statement win over eventual 3A state champion Sherwood, but their season ended abruptly with an early regional playoff exit after a home upset against a red-hot Arundel squad. With each passing year, it feels like the window to bring a championship to Berlin is slowly closing. Some believe that window has already shut, but 2026 may represent Decatur’s final opportunity with this core group. The biggest question mark lies on the mound. The Seahawks lost three key arms from the 2025 staff — and the lack of starting experience could become an issue, as many of the returning pitchers were used primarily in relief roles.

Seniors Caleb Loring (Hagerstown CC) and Kyle Springle (Stevenson) are expected to take on larger responsibilities and be utilized in some capacity against the upper echelon teams on the schedule, but much of the remaining workload will likely fall to underclassmen. Top underclassman Tanner Edelmann will miss the entire 2026 season due to injury, shifting attention to Ronan Diaz to provide quality innings against the lower half of conference opponents. Decatur will also hope to get a full season from Mason Edelmann (Brunswick CC), who could be a difference-maker on the mound if he can stay healthy. Hobgood would bolster this rotation even more if he makes some appearances in relief, but his incoming quarterback scholarship leaves some uncertainty surrounding his usage.

There are far fewer concerns offensively, as the Seahawks return the bulk of their lineup. The offense features six collegiate commits, highlighted by the catcher tandem of Landon Daniel (Chipola JC) and Brandon Nadeau (Sacred Heart). The outfield remains unchanged with senior trio Johnny Hobgood (Sacred Heart), Edelmann, and Loring, while Spencer Gaylor (Virginia Wesleyan) provides senior leadership in the infield as new contributors step into larger roles, such as Nicky Soares. The loss of Berzonski does impact the lineup’s power potential, but Daniel has the ability to fill that void if his power production becomes more consistent against top-tier pitching.

Ultimately, the pitching staff will determine just how far Decatur can go in 2026. Their previous security blanket on the mound is gone, meaning the staff will need to step up in games where the offense may not carry the load. 

---

Washington Jaguars  

2025 Record: 5-15
Key Departures: Dawson Daniels, Cole Miles, Evan Dryden

Washington featured a strong senior class that helped fuel impressive seasons in 2023 and 2024, but with that group now graduated — most notably standout Dawson Daniels — the expectations surrounding the Jaguars shift heading into the new season.

Fortunately, the offense returns six of nine starters from last year’s lineup, giving Washington a solid amount of experience on that side of the ball. Senior Emaree Corbin is the most seasoned player on the roster and will serve as a key leader, while a group of juniors — Nasear Bailey, Zaikei Harris, Seth Turner, and Reagan Walters — should play major roles in the lineup. Sophomore Jaden Nelson is also expected to take on a larger role. The biggest question mark comes on the mound. With ace Evan Dryden now graduated, Washington will need several players from the offensive core to step into pitching roles in order to remain competitive. Many of those options have limited pitching experience, so the team’s outlook will likely become clear during the first two weeks of the season as the staff begins to take shape.

---

Wicomico Indians  

2025 Record: 2-15
Key Departures: Christopher Jones

Wicomico enters the 2026 season looking to bounce back from a disappointing year, though the Tribe does return several key pieces that were responsible for much of last season’s production. Senior two-way standout Noah Riggin (Neumann) once again headlines the roster, providing leadership and impact on both sides of the ball for a relatively young team.

Senior Mason Townsend is expected to slot in as the No. 2 arm in the rotation while also serving as one of the lineup’s top offensive contributors after a productive junior campaign. James Livezey and Bryce Saintil are projected to round out the pitching staff, each looking to build on the experience they gained last season.

Offensively, seniors Ayden George and Rowan Okerblom should help provide some additional depth to a lineup that will be searching for more consistent production. Overall, a major leap in the standings may be difficult to achieve, but when Riggin or Townsend are on the mound, Wicomico should have the ability to compete with several of the teams in the Bayside South.

---

Additional Players to Watch 

Tanner Coulbourne - Cambridge-South Dorchester
Noah Marshall - Cambridge-South Dorchester
Max Guy - Pocomoke
Logan Williams - Pocomoke