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This three-game series has been anticipated all spring long, as the two juggernauts came into the series as the top two ranked programs in the state. #1 Archbishop Spalding defeated #2 John Carroll on Monday, setting up game two on Wednesday looking to lock up a series win. Spalding handed the ball to senior University of Maryland commit Peyton Mamula, while the Patriots turned it over to recent D1 de-commit Brooks Mueller. Scoreless through three, the Patriots started stringing hits together in the fourth, highlighted by an RBI single by Dallas Brooks and a huge three-run home run by senior Frostburg State commit Drew Jourdan to take a 4-0 lead. Spalding wasted no time getting a run back in the bottom half, as senior Davidson commit Theo Loughlin ambushed a first-pitch fastball and sent a solo home run to right-field, making the score 4 to 1. In the bottom of the fifth, Spalding struck again, as junior East Carolina commit followed a Noah Vasey single with a the-run home run, pulling the Cavaliers within 1. John Carroll would add a few on a defensive mishap, a Brycen Altland RBI Sac Fly, and an RBI infield single by junior University of Maryland commit Miguel Leon to extend their lead to 7 to 3. Senior Drew Jourdan would tack on two more in the 7th with another backside knock, this time a two-RBI single into right-center field to make it 9 to 3. Spalding would rally in the bottom of the seventh, highlighted by a no-doubt 2 RBI home run off the bat of sophomore Anthony Badillo, however, John Carroll would eventually slam the door and take this one, 9 to 6.  

Archbishop Spalding

Peyton Mamula RHP / 1B / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2025 The senior University of Maryland commit got the start for the Cavaliers and was dominant through the first three innings, striking out five and giving up no hits and no walks. The physical righty ran into some trouble in the fourth and battled through the fifth ending with a final line of five innings pitched, giving up four earned runs with no walks and seven strikeouts on 68% strikes. This was the best I had seen Mamula, especially early, running the fastball into the upper 80s consistently (grabbing an 89 early) with a consistent feel to both sides of the plate. The curveball showed promise with some late 11/5 shape, working it mostly to keep opposing hitters off balance away. The changeup was the difference maker for me and the makeup of the pitch is certainly intriguing. Showed the ability to break it off against both righties and lefties with feel at the bottom of the zone and plenty of late fading action that dropped off the table multiple times. As the feel and confidence increases with the changeup, look for this to be MaMula’s “out” pitch at the next level and should play extremely well off the fastball. Still waiting on the velo to tick up even more, this is an arm that has a chance to impact immediately for the Terps his freshman year.

Cruz Luna C / OF / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2026 A 2024 Future Games alum, it’s tough to argue that this is one of the more highly touted uncommitted bats in the 2026 class. The whole field approach and ability to backspin to both gaps has always been consistent, and the assumption that the power numbers will soon rise should make college coaches eager to get out to see this hit tool. It’s a simple backload with evident barrel feel, consistently staying on outside fastballs and spraying loud line drives to the opposite field gap. Swing decisions and approach is what intrigues me the most, and the ability to utilize the whole field with power and strength quickly on the rise should skyrocket Luna’s stock as we inch closer to the summer.

Noah Vasey OF / OF / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2026 A standout at our Preseason All-State event, this was my first chance to see the physical 5-foot-10, 175-pound outfielder in game, and the swing certainly impressed. Came off the bench late in this one and ambushed a high fastball for a loud single into left field. Quick hands and strong wrists, the approach is mostly middle to pull side with core strength that allows intrigue into the projected power. More consistent AB’s should allow this hit tool to take off, and a big summer on the horizon could potentially see Vasey making noise throughout this 2026 uncommitted class.

Braeden Martin SS / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2026 Over the past year or so, it’s tough to argue a left-handed hitting shortstop that has made a bigger impact in my eyes, and the hit tool continues to open my eyes each chance I see him. A prototypical leadoff hitter with table-setting ability, Martin shows the consistent ability to utilize the whole field with some sneaky power to the pull side, shown in this one as he turned on an inside fastball and sent a no-doubt two-RBI home run to right-field. It’s a high contact, line drive type hitter with the ability to work counts and spray line to line. As this frame continues to add strength, and the approach and swing decisions hold strong, look for Martin to continue to trend up when it comes to the national outlook.

Theo Loughlin 1B / OF / ARCHBISHOP SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL, MD / 2025 Not many have made an impression on our staff this spring quite like the Davidson commit has, as Loughlin continues to be on barrel consistently with some of the loudest pull-side strength in the state. Finished the day 3-for-4 with a home run and two loud pull side singles. Barrel awareness with the ability to pull the hands in on tough inside fastballs bodes well for his future success, and as power numbers continue to rise, look for an immediate impact to be in the future for Loughlin at Davidson.

Anthony Badillo SS / ARCHBISHOP SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL, MD / 2027 Although Spalding lost, I can’t imagine the coaching staff didn’t come out of this one at least somewhat excited after Badillo's swing in the final inning. Coming off an injury, the uncommitted sophomore has finally been cleared to play this week and certainly made an impact off the bench, turning on an up and in fastball for a no-doubt home run to left-field. The raw strength is something to admire, and as the swing decisions and barrel feel increases, this is potentially one of the top offensive threats in the 2027 class across Maryland. A big summer on the horizon, look for Badillo to make some noise throughout the rest of the spring and be a big impact bat for the Cavaliers in some kind of role.

John Carroll

Brooks Mueller RHP / OF / John Carroll, MD / 2025 A recent UMBC de-commit, Mueller started on the bump for the first time since his announcement and certainly opened some eyes in this one. Possessing a long 6-foot-6 frame, Mueller garners a ton of attention because of the size alone, and backs it up with an upper 80s, low 90s fastball that held velo fairly well throughout his six innings of work. Worked around traffic on the bases throughout this one, battling through 6.1 innings, giving up five earned runs with five strikeouts. It’s an easy, repeatable delivery with the ability to dot the fastball to both sides of the plate, mixing the bigger overhand curveball in any count that showed effectiveness in/out to right-handed hitters. The spin kept hitters off balance all day, and as the shape cleans up and the sharpness on the spin picks up, look for the breaker to play up even more off the fastball. The length and projection in the frame alone allows for this to be an intriguing pick up for a plethora of programs across the country, and the uptick in velo this spring only adds value to the big right-hander as we continue throughout the spring.

Drew Jourdan SS / 2B / John Carroll, MD / 2025 One of my personal favorite hit tools in the state, Jourdan has a knack for the barrel and the ability to spray loud line drives to the opposite field has always intrigued me. The approach is consistent and sound, taking what the opposing pitcher gives him and showcases the ability to hurt you in many ways. In the past, the pull side power has shown well, and in this one, the opposite field power was on full display. Went backside early for a three RBI home run before spraying another two RBI line drive single into right-field late. The hands work quick with plenty of whip in the barrel and look for power numbers to continue to rise at the next level.

Will Rhine SS / 2B / John Carroll, MD / 2025 Welcome back Will Rhine. The Alabama commit has been a bright spot for this John Carroll offense all spring long, showcasing the ability to turn and burn on inside fastballs while still maintaining his whole field approach. The power upside is through the roof, and it’s a great sign to see how healthy and strong the body looks coming off injury last season. Possessing some of the more fluid and quick hands in the state, the barrel speed continues to impress.

Dallas Brooks C / 1B / JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL, MD / 2025 You’d be hard pressed to find a more highly touted uncommitted 2025 backstop not only in the state, but the country as a whole. This hit tool is one of the best around, with the ability to utilize the whole field out of a short, compact swing path. Brooks is at his best when the approach is back up the middle, and showed that in this one with two loud line drive hits to the middle/opposite field. The hands play quick with plenty of barrel/hand speed through the zone with the ability to turn on inside pitches for pull-side power as well. Defensively, the arm strength is advanced and the instincts play up as well, making for this to be an impact player on both sides of the ball.

Casey Carpenter 3B / 1B / John Carroll , MD / 2025  My personal pick to click this spring, the power numbers have been absurd for the UNCW commit so far and added to them in this one, sending a backside double off the wall in right-center field. Consistently on barrel, Carpenter can cover the whole plate and showcases present power to all fields, utilizing quick hands and present barrel quickness through contact. Strong lower half involvement, the future is bright for this hit tool and the consistency only adds to his stock as we inch closer to the summer.