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Opening day finally arrived after what felt like an eternity. And as I've done for the past three seasons, I headed to Montgomery County to check out one of the best pitching matchups in the state. This matchup featured WJ's Spencer Gilcrest (Emory), the ace for the defending 4A state champions, and debatably the best arm in the county, locking horns with Northwest's Isaiah Babcock (Fairmont State), the newcomer to MoCo after transferring from CMC's Tuscarora, making his first start in the top public school county in the state. Both teams would exchange blows throughout the game, but the Wildcats would prevail and continue where they left off last season, winning a close one 8-6 over the Jaguars.

Gilcrest would work through a scoreless first, and the offense would provide some early insurance as a two-out double from Jack Gilder and an RBI single from junior Juan Pena Simon put Walter Johnson on the board first. Northwest wouldn't back down, though, as the Jaguars would respond with a pair of their own following a two-run homer from senior Wyatt Swick, the first of many loud swings throughout the game. Babcock and Gilcrest would each get into a groove, both putting up two scoreless frames apiece, before WJ would tie the game in the fourth on a passed ball following a two-out walk and an E5. Entering the fifth, it looked as if this game would come down to the wire, but Coach Sutherland and his squad started to do what they've done so well the past few years: take advantage of mistakes and what's given to them. A leadoff E6 and an HBP allowed senior Ethan Pletter to give the Wildcats the lead on a sacrifice fly, forcing Babcock out of the game after 4.1 innings. Landon Brayman, Northwest's sophomore righty, would enter in relief and struggle to get into a groove, allowing four walks and a pair of RBI base hits to give the Wildcats a five-run sixth, extending the lead to 7-2. Each team would add a run to their totals, giving WJ an 8-3 lead with three outs to get, but the Jaguars didn't hear the final bell. A leadoff single from Brayden Alteri and an RBI double from Luke Stelmack (Drew) cut the deficit to four before Isaiah Babcock (Fairmont State) made a massive contribution on the offensive end, launching a two-run homer down the left field line to make it a two-run ballgame. WJ's Logan Rayment-Cruz would eventually settle in and force a game-ending strikeout to secure the win.

Northwest

 

Isaiah Babcock RHP / Northwest, MD / 2026 This game gave Isaiah Babcock the opportunity to make a statement early and draw eyes to him this season, as it was his first game after transferring from Tuscarora. Although he didn't ultimately win this game, I think he took advantage of the opportunity and made a real impression on the rest of the state. One thing that has always stood out with Babcock is his competitiveness on the mound, putting his emotions on display with a high motor and a ton of confidence. Throughout the game, it was primarily fastball and cutter, with the occasional curveball landing arm-side. The Fairmont State commit felt most confident working away from hitters, using the cutter in any count to get hitters chasing out of the zone. It's a legit second pitch behind the fastball that consistently sat 87-88 through three innings, grabbing a pair of 90s in the first inning. He would eventually exit after 4.1 innings, striking out six and generating 16 whiffs in the outing. On the offensive end, he added a two-run homer in the seventh inning to get his squad back into the game. If he gets the offensive production similar to Friday's game, expect Northwest to win nearly every game Babcock throws.

Luke Stelmack C / Northwest, MD / 2026 The Drew University commit made a positive impression at the dish throughout Friday's contest, adding a pair of extra base hits as part of a 2-for-3 performance to kick off the season. It's a guy who isn't afraid to attack pitches early in the count, putting the ball in play within the first three pitches in every at-bat. There's some power upside behind the hit tool, hitting two doubles to the fence in right-center field (one in the 3rd, one in the 7th). What stands out is the ability to barrel up top-end pitching in the county, something he's done year after year for the Jaguars. His first double came in a tough left-left matchup against Spencer Gilcrest, and he was still able to put a really nice swing on the baseball. Expect Stelmack to be a table-setter in the heart of this Northwest order, having a major impact on the ceiling of this offense.

Wyatt Swick OF / Northwest, MD / 2026 Among all of the loud swings taken throughout this game, none was more impactful than Wyatt Swick, who put Walter Johnson in some trouble early with a lead-taking two-run homer in the second inning. The uncommitted senior would eventually work his way into a full count, getting all of this fastball left over the plate and sending a rocket out of left-center field to stamp an impression on the rest of the county that this Northwest team has one of the highest ceilings in the county. There were questions surrounding this offense, but if they can continue to get production out of guys like Swick in the back half of the lineup, the Jaguars could make some noise in a difficult 4A West region.

#8 Walter Johnson

Spencer Gilcrest LHP / Walter Johnson, MD / 2026 This was our second look at Gilcrest this spring, but our first from an extended perspective. The 2025 Senior Futures Games participant and Emory commit worked five innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking four, and striking out four in the game. Honestly, outside of the second inning, where he surrendered the two-run homer, it was a typically Spencer Gilcrest outing. Compete in the zone, limit hard contact, and allow the strong defensive unit behind him to make plays. Although it may not have been up to his standards, it was enough to come away with the win and start the season on a positive note. The slider was efficient as always, allowing virtually nothing against it outside of a first-inning single. Expect Gilcrest to get better as the season progresses, making him one of the top arms in the county and one of the top southpaws in the state.

Juan Pena Simon OF / Walter Johnson, MD / 2027 One guy who has made some positive impressions on our staff over the last couple of months is uncommitted junior Juan Pena Simon, and those progressions have translated nicely onto the diamond. We got to see him in early March against John Carroll in a scrimmage, where he turned in an RBI double, and much of the same remained against Northwest to open the season. It's a middle-of-the-order bat that has performed exceptionally well with runners in scoring position, opening the scoring in Friday's contest with an RBI single into left field. It's a compact 5'9" frame, but it possesses the ability to drive the ball gap to gap and should become more explosive as more strength is added to the frame.