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Central Maryland Conference (CMC)

Boonsboro Warriors  

2025 Record: 7-10
Key Departures: None

Boonsboro could be one of the most improved teams in the state heading into 2026. Over the past six months, the roster has begun to solidify, and the overall balance between pitching and offense makes this group worth watching closely. Darian Gaskins (Shippensburg) returns for his senior season, giving the Warriors a proven leader to anchor the roster. He’ll be supported by fellow upperclassmen Landon Boyer and Garrett Ward, while junior Carter Jackson stands out as a high-upside name who should contribute significantly on both sides of the ball. At the plate, Gaskins and Jackson figure to be central run producers, joined by senior Logan Atkinson (UMBC). While lineup depth remains a potential concern, the top-tier talent is strong enough to push Boonsboro toward a winning season if the supporting pieces fall into place. An incoming freshman class headlined by Rhett Springer and Kaiden Lincks could further bolster this lineup if their name is called upon at any point this season.

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Brunswick Railroaders  

2025 Record: 14-5
Key Departures: Ty Kaunas, Colin Pearre

Brunswick enters the 2026 season without franchise-defining star Ty Kaunas, who led the Railroaders to a state title in his first year with the program. While the team no longer features the clear-cut superstar it had in recent seasons, much of the core remains intact, which typically bodes well for continued success. Offensively, there should be few concerns. Hunter Reed (Shepherd) and Carter Vinar form one of the conference’s top middle-of-the-order duos, providing plenty of production in the heart of the lineup. Juniors LJ Tobery and Mason Berry will look to build on solid sophomore campaigns, while seniors Connor Carrillo and Landon Gregory round out a reliable lineup capable of manufacturing enough offense to win games.

On the mound, Brunswick turns to senior Nathan Borawski to anchor the rotation as the frontline arm in a highly competitive region. Senior Zack Via (Hood) and intriguing sophomore Logan Lowery slot in as the dependable number two and three options. Behind them, Carrillo, Vinar, and sophomore Michael Minnick are expected to provide additional innings when needed.

Although Brunswick may not have the marquee name it’s leaned on in the past two seasons, the Railroaders return enough talent on both sides of the ball to remain competitive in a 1A region that features several teams ranked in or just outside the top twenty-five.

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Catoctin Cougars  

2025 Record: 7-13
Key Departures: Bryont Green, Jacob Bell, Brady Koenig 

This roster leans younger than in recent seasons, as the program searches for the next group to step into larger roles. For now, it’s a collection of players looking to grow together and build toward a stronger spring. The lineup will be anchored by senior Mason Ferrell, a consistent presence over the past few years, alongside fellow senior leaders Brennan Conrad and Tyler Clark. The remainder of the lineup is expected to feature a mix of sophomores and juniors, with Lane Koenig, Brody McQuay, and Ryan Leadbetter among the notable underclassmen expected to contribute.

On the mound, Tyler Clark should help provide leadership for what projects to be a flexible staff that may rely on a mix-and-match approach to maximize matchups. Sophomore Chase Cregger is another name to watch on the pitching side after putting together a strong fall. Catoctin enters the spring with a few question marks, and the early part of the season will be key as the Cougars look to find answers and establish a rhythm.

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Clear Spring Blazers  

2025 Record: 16-4
Key Departures: Easton Metral, Noah Sluzalis 

In Class 1A, Clear Spring has established itself as a perennial powerhouse, capturing back-to-back state titles in 2022 and 2023. They’re coming off another strong 16–4 campaign, with their only setback being a postseason exit in what many consider the most competitive lower-class region in the state.

The lineup remains a major strength, anchored by standout brothers Tyce McConnaughey (Barry) and Jeremy McConnaughey. Around them, JJ Hull, Hayden Hose, Cole Jesson, and Alex Smith provide quality depth and experience, giving the Blazers a balanced and potentially dangerous offensive attack.

On the mound, Clear Spring may not feature a definitive ace, but they return dependable options in Izzac Lesher, Chase Judd, McConnaughey, and Hose. Sophomores Jarren Wade and Drake Weaver gained limited varsity experience last year and are expected to take on expanded roles this spring. The regional path won’t be easy, but the roster’s overall depth gives Coach Glazer flexibility to mix and match pieces — a formula that has kept Clear Spring at the top of the CMC for a while.

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Linganore Lancers  

2025 Record: 7-16
Key Departures: None

Linganore brought back every key contributor from last season, instantly positioning itself as one of the most dangerous returning groups in the state. If anything, the offense looks even more potent than it did a year ago. Linganore may set the definition of a "transition year" to everyone as they should rebound heavily after a setback in '25.

The biggest addition is junior transfer Jackson Wineke from South Carroll, whose arrival only strengthens an already formidable middle of the order. Pairing Wineke with Jaidon Maxwell (Wake Forest) and Chase Perry (UNC Asheville) gives Linganore a trio that stacks up with any lineup in the state. Beyond that group, the continuity is striking. Austin Pizer, Connor Stauffer, Collin Doyle, Hunter Street, Jackson Downes, and Logan Thomas all return, keeping the core of the lineup intact and experienced.

On the mound, the Lancers feature a junior-heavy staff led by Ben Curry and James Ruble. Additional depth could come from several two-way standouts — including Wineke, Perry, Pizer, and Maxwell — if they’re called upon to throw. Adam Krystofiak and Reece Leader are another set of arms who could log meaningful innings throughout the spring. Competing in one of the state’s toughest regions won’t make the path easy, but with this level of talent and familiarity, Linganore has all the pieces necessary to make a serious postseason push.

Middletown Knights  

2025 Record: 12-7
Key Departures: Dylan Leadbetter, Wyatt Hopson, Vinnie Grossman

A disappointing loss in the 2A State Quarterfinals in 2025 has left a bad taste in the mouth for the Knights over the offseason, and look for a motivated squad as we enter the 2026 spring. A balanced lineup with firepower throughout, and a pitching staff with some experience at the top-end should see Middletown stay competitive once again in 2026.

Three key losses in two-way Vinny Grossman, catcher Dylan Leadbetter, and left-hander Wyatt Hopson are all holes that will need to be filled, and look for a strong crop of rising seniors and juniors to step up this spring. Offensively, senior Cory Godlove (Salisbury) was one of the top hitters in the conference a year ago, leading the CMC small schools in average at .462 and should be his usual catalyst self at the top of the lineup this spring. Fellow senior Tyler Barrick had a really strong junior campaign as well, hitting close to .340 and should be a reliable middle of the order bat along with senior Damon Baker. Senior two-way Jack Cornell and junior two-way Ryan Coulby should round out the offense and both look to repeat strong 2025 campaigns at the dish. 

On the bump, Grossman and Hopson were senior leaders a year ago, and look for Coulby, Cornell, and junior Cody Smith to pick up the slack and lead the staff this spring. A tall task, however, the depth shouldn’t be an issue, as seniors Ryan Carpenter and Adam Baird look to round out a solid rotation through and through, making this an experienced rotation looking to take another step up in 2026. 

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North Hagerstown Hubs  

2025 Record: 16-5
Key Departures: Ian Kelley, Henry Lewis, Cole Tucker

Two years ago, North Hagerstown boasted the top public-school pitching staff in the state. Fast forward to 2026, and those arms have since moved on, shifting the identity of this team heading into the spring. That doesn’t mean the talent cupboard is bare — rather, the Hubs will need to rely on a more balanced approach. In recent seasons, a dominant pitching staff often carried the load, but this year both sides of the ball will need to contribute more consistently.

James Ortiz (Ave Maria) highlights a group of key returners, as North Hagerstown features an extremely senior-heavy lineup led by Matt Mallardi, Blake Custer, Eli Brown, and Jack Dorsey, among others. While the pitching staff has undergone major turnover, Grant Semler (Concord) returns for his senior season and gives the Hubs a reliable frontline arm as a high-80s southpaw. Seniors Cole Bratburd, Jackson Coulter, and Dorsey should help provide valuable depth on the mound while also contributing offensively. Those same names will make up much of the lineup, giving North Hagerstown one of the more experienced offensive groups in the state. With Semler on the mound, the Hubs will always have a chance to win — the key will be whether the rest of the staff and lineup can provide enough balance on his off-days to maintain the program’s recent success.

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Oakdale Bears 

2025 Record: 14-10
Key Departures: JP Shultz, Patrick O'Neal

Oakdale surpassed expectations last spring, navigating a demanding Class 3A region and advancing to the state semifinals before falling to a scorching-hot Chopticon squad. That postseason run laid a strong foundation, and this spring could present a legitimate opportunity for the Bears to break through to a 3A state title game appearance.

On the mound, the staff now revolves around standout junior Parker Dix (Old Dominion), who turned plenty of heads a year ago and enters the season as one of the premier arms in the conference. Behind him, LT Farley and Charlie Scarzello return with valuable experience and will look to take the next step in their development. The bullpen is expected to feature several two-way contributors, adding versatility and depth to the pitching corps.

Offensively, Oakdale brings back a wealth of talent. Upperclassmen Nolan Noweski, Grady Beaver, Dix, Brandon Yowell, and Cooper Thompson provide a seasoned core with playoff experience. Fast-rising sophomore Cooper DeWaal, the No. 2 player in 2028 class, is already generating buzz and will be a game-changer at the top of the lineup. Fellow sophomore Conley Hajjar also gained meaningful at-bats last year and should see an expanded role this spring.

All signs point to Oakdale being built for another deep postseason push in 2026. The coaching tandem, in its second year after arriving from BCC and Glenelg, has already proven capable of guiding this group through high-pressure moments. With the region growing even more competitive, the next challenge is clear: can the Bears not only get back over the hump, but also take down some of the state’s traditional powerhouses on the biggest stage?

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Smithsburg Leopards  

2025 Record: 15-9
Key Departures: None

Smithsburg Leopards enter the 2026 season as a projected top-25 team in the state following a strong 2025 campaign that saw them navigate a difficult region and advance all the way to the state semifinals. Even more encouraging, the core group that powered that postseason run returns almost entirely intact.

The offense is the clear headliner, boasting the kind of firepower capable of flipping the momentum of a game in a matter of innings. Mason Oates, Gavin Ramarge, Tommy Becker (Cairn), Heath Githens, and Chase Sarber anchor the heart of the lineup, while George Mantz, Jaxon Teson, and Ryan Darr provide additional depth and balance throughout the order.

Many of those same players will also factor into the pitching staff, with Githens and Ramarge expected to once again lead the rotation. There’s little doubt that Smithsburg will generate plenty of offense this spring. The bigger question is whether the pitching staff can build on the standard it set last season — because if it does, the Leopards have the potential to replicate, or even surpass, last year’s postseason success.

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South Hagerstown Rebels  

2025 Record: 6-14
Key Departures: None

Turn the page to 2026, and this Rebels roster has some interesting pieces to watch for all spring long. An offense that returns each of their top five hitters in the lineup, led by senior standout Derek Kline at the top should provide plenty of firepower offensively this spring. 

Kline is a table-setter at the top, leading the CMC big schools in average at .458 a year ago and looks to add onto that in 2026. A senior-heavy supporting cast follows Kline in the lineup, as J.K. Rosario, Luke Leisinger, Shawn Higgins, and Ethan Shepherd are all back and should solidify the middle of the order as they did a year ago. Look for fellow senior Ryan Ragland and sophomore Brayden Ocasio to add depth throughout. On the bump, replacing senior Cam Kelley from a year ago will be the biggest obstacle, however, rising sophomore standout from a year ago in Tyler Mangold looks to build off of a strong freshman campaign on the bump in 2026. Depth from Kline, Higgins, and Ocasio will be vital for the Rebels to find success on the pitching side of things this spring.

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Thomas Johnson Patriots  

2025 Record: 12-10
Key Departures: Logan Keepers, Kaden Hnath, Miles Hyatt

One of the more storied programs across the CMC, TJ looks to build off of a winning season from a year ago, and the pieces coming back certainly bode well for the Patriots to find success in 2026. 

Offensively, replacing the production from Kaden Hnath (.400 avg) and Miles Hyatt (.339) in the middle of the order will be a tall task, however, the Patriots do return a slew of impact bats from a year ago. Two-way senior Brody Leache will be relied on heavily to provide some thump and consistency in the middle of the order, as junior Jacob Koennel and sophomore Brian Wright look to build off of strong 2025 campaigns and be mainstays in the middle of the order. Senior Ryan Singer and junior Angelo Brooks should round our a formidable lineup this spring and add some depth throughout as well. 

On the bump, the Patriots return their “ace” in senior Brody Leache and look for fellow senior Mason Dewease to round out a strong one-two punch for TJ at the top of the rotation. The Patriots will need Angelo Brooks and Ryan Singer to add some reliable innings on the backend, and look for some underclassmen to fill some holes as well. 

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Tuscarora Titans  

2025 Record: 12-6
Key Departures: Isaiah Babcock (transfer), Cameron Vachon, Caden Spangenberg, Gabe Bennett

Tuscarora enters the season having lost several key contributors from last year’s roster. The Titans not only graduated three of their most productive hitters, but they also saw ace Isaiah Babcock transfer to Northwest in Montgomery County. Despite those departures, Tuscarora still returns a capable group that should remain competitive within the conference. Parker Kopp (Shenandoah) provides a power presence in the middle of the lineup, while seniors Aaron Molishas and Mickey Cammarata form a dependable offensive pairing in the heart of the order. High-upside, multi-sport sophomore Landon Rosenberg is back after an impressive freshman season on both sides of the ball and looks poised to establish himself as one of the conference’s top underclassmen. 

On the mound, the Titans feature an experienced group led by senior trio Brendan Lee (Wilson), LJ Watkins, and Cayden Ey. Rosenberg is also expected to log meaningful innings in a hybrid starter/reliever role, bringing another arm capable of keeping games close. While Tuscarora may not enter 2026 as the regional favorite, they have enough talent to remain firmly in the mix.

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Urbana Hawks  

2025 Record: 21-4
Key Departures: Daniel Jakubowyc, Mason Johnson, Tristan Vetter

Urbana are coming off a heartbreaking walk-off loss in the state championship, but the silver lining is clear — nearly the entire roster returns. Continuity alone makes them dangerous, and the experience of playing on the final stage should only fuel their hunger in 2026.

Offensively, eight of nine starters are back, headlined by junior Kayden Lipscomb (West Virginia). The middle of the order may be the most formidable in the state, with seniors Billy Swaney (Harford CC), Jake Allen, DJ Staub, and Aiden Welch providing both power and experience. The depth doesn’t stop there. Trevor Collins, Jaehziel Peak, and sophomore Ryan Yagesh round out an already loaded lineup, while Landon Lee and Cayden McIver offer additional offensive options who should see opportunities throughout the spring. Simply put, this unit has a case as the deepest lineup in the state.

On the mound, senior Evan Zarroli (UMBC) returns as a true ace at the front of the rotation. While some valuable depth graduated, Jaxson Howington, Kiegan Rupinta, Lee, and Yagesh are back to help stabilize the staff. There’s no question Urbana has championship-caliber talent — the only thing left to determine is whether they can finish the job and reach the summit this time around.

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Walkersville Lions  

2025 Record: 6-14
Key Departures: Garrison Abrecht, Joe Davio

Walkersville heads into 2026 looking to build on last season, returning much of the core that kept them competitive within the conference. With the added experience they’ll possess, the Lions have some pieces in place to take a step forward this spring.

The offense is anchored by athletic junior outfielder Chigozilim “GoGo” Ogwulu, who turned heads with a standout showing at our preseason event in February. Around him, a veteran group of seniors — Colton Amoriell, Jackson Carr, Pat Atallah, and Coleman Hiser — help provide stability throughout the lineup, while juniors Max Birth and Jack McGraw add further depth and production.

On the mound, junior two-way Ian Gensits is expected to lead the pitching staff. Rising sophomore Tyler Jones should also see an expanded role after logging a handful of innings as a freshman, giving the Lions another promising arm to lean on. While it may be too early to project a deep postseason run, Walkersville appears well-positioned to improve on last year’s results and present a tough challenge for opponents throughout the season.

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Williamsport Wildcats  

2025 Record: 8-11
Key Departures: None

Williamsport returns a solid core that found itself in plenty of close contests against some of the smaller-school powerhouses in the CMC last season. While this may not be the most talented roster in the conference, the Wildcats are certainly not a team opponents should overlook when they appear on the schedule. On the mound, the one-two punch of senior Jared Dangerfield (Moravian) and junior Cash Ostrum gives Williamsport one of the more underrated pitching duos in the region. Fellow senior Kruz Jackson provides a capable third option, as the Wildcats bring back a staff that proved effective at limiting runs in key moments a year ago.

Offensively, Dangerfield and Ostrum will also be central contributors, supported by a group of experienced seniors including Reid Bowman, Jason Miles, Jordan Wigfall, and Nate Bowman. The biggest hurdle for Williamsport last season was offensive consistency, particularly with the absence of true power bats in the lineup. Against teams we project to win double-digit games in the CMC this spring, the Wildcats went 2–6 last year, with five of those six losses decided by three runs or fewer. They were also shut out in three of those defeats, highlighting the primary question heading into this season. The pitching staff has shown it can keep top competition in check — the key will be whether the offense can produce consistently against the conference’s upper-tier teams. 

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Additional Players to Watch in the Conference

Lucas Acerenza - Frederick
Liam McGreevy - Frederick
Andrew Molisheas - Frederick
Jake Nikolow - Frederick