2026 Season Previews: VHSL Class 3 (Regions A & B)

February 25, 2026
Staff
Prep Baseball Virginia/DC

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For the first time in three years, the state title does not reside in Region A or B. Spotswood and Abingdon made it an all Region C & D final in 2025. See what you can expect from the teams out of VHSL 3A Regions A & B for this upcoming year.

VHSL Class 3 Previews: Regions A & B

Brentsville District Tigers

2025 Record: 15-7

There will be a lot of turnover from the 2025 Tigers, as they lost some important pieces both on the mound and offensively in Aaron Caughlin (Shenandoah), Jeffery Cook (Virginia Wesleyan), Levi Fear (Virginia Wesleyan), JJ Hand (Old Dominion), David Moffett, and Carson Stroud. Sophomore Tiernan Sanders was an impact bat as a freshman and looks to take another step as the premier bat in the Tiger lineup. Liam Marriott and Daniel Search also gained significant time as freshmen, and they are also looking to be bigger contributors for this offense. A big void was made behind the plate with the departure of Hand, but James Spicer could be just the one for the job. Replacing the big time innings that Caughlin threw in 2025 is tough, but Robbie Droppa, Nick McKinney, Tiernan Sanders, and Daniel Search are a few names that could step into a frontline role. Having some of these younger players step into a prominent role will be key to their success in 2026.

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Liam Marriott

Class of 2028 / OF

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2028
Primary Position: OF

Secondary Position: LHP
High School: Brentsville District High

State: VA
Summer Team: Synder Bucks 16U
Height: 6-0

Weight: 158lbs
Bat/Throw: L/L

Colonial Heights Colonials

2025 Record: 11-9

The Colonials return their top four hitters from last season, as well as three of their top four arms. Jordan Thompson, Bret Lipscomb (Virginia State), Daniel Inge, and Tony Nguyen come back for a big senior season after they combined for 80 hits last spring. Their 80 hits were better than 50% of the total team hits last season. On the mound is where they could use the biggest improvements. The team ERA of 3.5 will need some improvement if they want to compete for a region or state title in 2026.

Culpeper Blue Devils

2025 Record: 11-11

Leadoff man Kahner Moss (William Peace) and middle of the order bats Job Sheads and Jonas Franti graduated. What will this Blue Devils team need to improve from its 11-11 season last year? They will need to continue to get quality outings from Tyrus Nobbs (Salem), Adam Gessler (Mt. St. Mary’s), and Clayton Golden (Mary Washington). Nobbs and Gessler will both need to continue to be impact bats for this Culpeper offense and a potential breakout season from sophomore Tucker Bowyer could prove big for this 2026 version of the Devils.

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Adam Gessler

Class of 2026 / RHP

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2026
Primary Position: RHP

Secondary Position: OF
High School: CULPEPER COUNTY HIGH

State: VA
Summer Team: Snyder Bucks 16U
Height: 6-5

Weight: 200lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

Goochland Bulldogs

2025 Record: 10-11

There might not be a better time for the Bulldogs to take that next step in the Richmond area in 2026. Jackson Bell and Will Johns (Hampden-Sydney) have been staples for this team and look to make an even bigger impact in their senior season. Bohdan Pisko (Randolph-Macon) is another senior that looks to be a big contributor on the mound. Charlie Harrington has been their frontline arm, and he has made significant strides looking to help contribute to more success on the mound. Finding some more contributors on offense and finding some mound depth will be the deciding factor of the success of the Bulldogs.

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Jackson Bell

Class of 2026 / OF

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2026
Primary Position: OF

Secondary Position: 1B
High School: GOOCHLAND HIGH

State: VA
Summer Team: Ironbridge Showcase 2026 Kane
Height: 5-10

Weight: 190lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

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Charlie Harrington

Class of 2027 / RHP

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2027
Primary Position: RHP

Secondary Position: OF
High School: Goochland High

State: VA
Summer Team: VA Seminoles Everett 16u
Height: 6-0

Weight: 190.5lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

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Will Johns

Class of 2026 / C

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2026
Primary Position: C

Secondary Position: 3B
High School: Goochland

State: VA
Summer Team: Richmond Baseball Academy West
Height: 5-11

Weight: 181.4lbs
Bat/Throw: L/R

Hopewell Blue Devils

2025 Record: 13-8

Ethan McComber and Luke Kuhns (Chowan) return in 2026 after an extremely successful spring in 2025. Both hit .425+ for the season, leading the team in that category. McComber and Kuhns also played a pivotal role on the mound, combining for 57 innings of work. Both arms will need to clean up the walk rate if they want to replace the production of Demetrius Simms on the mound. Simms, who graduated last season, threw the most innings, had the lowest number of walks, and the best K:BB rate. On the mound will be the biggest area of improvement needed in order to compete for a Region 3A title.

Kettle Run Cougars

2025 Record: 18-5

There is a lot to replace for the Cougars, who made their way to the Class 3 semifinal game in 2025. They were senior heavy in the lineup, losing Jacob Mulhern, Dane Popelka (Coast Guard Acad.), Andrew Smarr (Baltimore County-Dundalk CC), Tyler Thorpe, and Nate Wiles (Mount St. Mary’s). Noah Correll, Clayton Southwick, Brendan Taylor (Shenandoah), Teddy Trynock, and Caleb Willis (Widener) are some key returners for the offense. Harrison Skinner (Shenandoah) and Trynock were big contributors on the mound last spring, and Trynock looks like a big candidate to pick up more innings in big time games. Getting run support from the offense and finding arms on the mound is the question that will need to be answered throughout the spring.

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Teddy Trynock

Class of 2027 / RHP

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2027
Primary Position: RHP

Secondary Position: SS
High School: KETTLE RUN HIGH SCH

State: VA
Summer Team: Snyder Bucks 16u
Height: 6-1

Weight: 162.5lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

Lakeland Cavaliers

2025 Record: 13-8

There are some key pieces that return for the Cavaliers that can make them a threat in the 757 in 2026. Bobby Knight (Lynchburg), Cody Ricks, and Nick Thompson are seniors that return to the offense and look to lead the charge. Cash Harrington (Lynchburg), Josiah Joyner, and Bryson Sharber return as the three headed monster on the mound that each logged 30+ innings on the year in 2025, which gives them plenty of experience on the mound. The important thing to keep an eye on for these three on the mound is to give them quality outings against the premier teams in the 757. If they can get deep into outings, then this staff has the chance to make it tough on opposing lineups in Class 3.

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Josiah Joyner

Class of 2027 / RHP

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2027
Primary Position: RHP

Secondary Position: SS
High School: Lakeland High

State: VA
Summer Team: Richmond Braves 16u Platinum
Height: 6-5

Weight: 190lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

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Bobby Knight III

Class of 2026 / OF

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2026
Primary Position: OF

Secondary Position: LHP
High School: Lakeland

State: VA
Summer Team: Five Star Mafia 17u Gold
Height: 5-9

Weight: 155.6lbs
Bat/Throw: L/L

Maggie Walker Dragons

2025 Record: 12-6

Maggie Walker heads into 2026 with a lot of retention and looks to take a step forward. Lewis Dunn had a big season behind the plate as a sophomore and can impact this lineup in a big way. Nate Bertha, Cash Garrett, Carson Holbert, Quinn Redwine, and Charley Fetter are also big returners with Dunn that will be key for this roster. Colton Moore had some bright moments for this team as a freshman, and he could take another step heading into his sophomore season. With all that they bring back, it puts them in an intriguing spot to have success this spring.

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Lewis Dunn

Class of 2027 / C

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2027
Primary Position: C

Secondary Position: 1B
High School: Maggie L. Walker Gov. Sch.

State: VA
Summer Team: Ironbridge 2027
Height: 6-1

Weight: 236.6lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

New Kent Trojans

2025 Record: 21-4

The Trojans return names like Dylan Bowman, Andrew Staskiel, Keegan Branch, Bryce Hochman, Austin Uzzle, Brody Cash, Jaxon Foreman, and Jonah Sorrell (CNU) are just a few of the important returners from last season. A healthy season from Lane Boyette (CNU) should be a big addition on the mound and potentially at the plate as well. The biggest losses from last season probably come from Michael Hetzel (Roanoke) and R. Matthew Gentry (Richard Bland). Hetzel hit a staggering .473 with 6 homeruns last season, while Gentry was dominant on the mound for New Kent. Gentry threw 54 innings, allowed only 11 walks to 69 strikeouts, and had a .90 ERA for the season. Sorrel, Cash, and Bowman should be set for bigger workloads and Boyette should be able to carry more than his share of the weight on the mound. It is safe to say that New Kent is the class of Region A and arguably the odds on favorite in Class 3 as a whole.

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Brody Cash

Class of 2027 / SS

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2027
Primary Position: SS

Secondary Position: RHP
High School: New Kent High

State: VA
Summer Team: VA Cardinals 2027
Height: 5-6

Weight: 155.2lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

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Jonah Sorrell

Class of 2026 / RHP

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2026
Primary Position: RHP

Secondary Position: OF
High School: New Kent

State: VA
Summer Team: Richmond Braves 16u Platinum
Height: 6-0

Weight: 185lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

Tabb Tigers

2025 Record: 13-8

The Tigers will need to replace a few seniors, including Jake Mutter (CNU). Mutter has been the do-it-all guy for Tabb the last few seasons and will be sorely missed. Jack Biebel is back after hitting .362 last season. Caden Kuehni and Carson Reeves will need to play a more pivotal role in 2026 if Tabb is going to be competitive inside of the region and in the Bay Rivers District as a whole.

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Caden Kuehni

Class of 2027 / OF

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2027
Primary Position: OF

Secondary Position: RHP
High School: Tabb High

State: VA
Height: 6-0

Weight: 170lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

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Carson Reeves

Class of 2026 / OF

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2026
Primary Position: OF

Secondary Position: RHP
High School: Tabb High

State: VA
Summer Team: Dirtbags Virginia 17u prime
Height: 6-0

Weight: 173lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

William Monroe Dragons

2025 Record: 18-7

An 18-7 season saw plenty of highlights, including a state semifinal run that ultimately ended in a loss to Abingdon. The Dragons defeated teams like New Kent, Kettle Run, Brentsville, Culpeper, Broadway, Turner Ashby, and Spotswood, the eventual Class 3 state champs. William Monroe went 10-2 to finish their season. They have some losses at the plate and on the mound, including the loss of Parker Hildebrand (Mt. St. Mary’s). Hildebrand spent multiple years being one of the anchors for this program. His departure is not the only big loss, joining Hildebrand in graduation is Waylon Anderegg, Dallas Gilbert, and Ryan Mannion. The Dragons lost as least half of their lineup from last season, as well as some big innings on the mound. Big years from players like Gavin Gilbert, Evan Taylor, and Drew Britton will be vital for the success of this William Monroe team in 2026.

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Drew Britton

Class of 2027 / 3B

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2027
Primary Position: 3B

Secondary Position: RHP
High School: William Monroe High

State: VA
Summer Team: Valley Baseball Scout
Height: 6-0

Weight: 205lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R

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Gavin Gilbert

Class of 2027 / C

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2027
Primary Position: C

Secondary Position: RHP
High School: William Monroe

State: VA
Summer Team: Dirtbags 2027 Prime
Height: 6-2

Weight: 180lbs
Bat/Throw: L/R

York Falcons

2025 Record: 7-14

A down year in 2025 after a state title in 2024, the Falcons finished 7-14 last season. They see only four players moving on due to graduation and will return more than 50% of their lineup and three arms, including their staff ace. Jack Speth, Ayden Nixon, Will Hunt, and Alan Harris all graduated, but with shutdown arm Jack Harmon (Lincoln Memorial) returning for his senior season, the Falcons are in a solid spot when he is on the mound. Joining Harmon are names like Kaleb Nixon, Cole Johannes, Trevor Evans, Seth Olsavicky, Preston Turkovich, Skylr Cross, and Cooper Leach. While New Kent is the odds on favorite in Region A, the Falcons have the one thing that many other schools do not and that is an arm that can take over a game. Can Harmon lead the Falcons back to a state tournament?

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Jack Harmon

Class of 2026 / RHP

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2026
Primary Position: RHP

Secondary Position: 3B
High School: York

State: VA
Summer Team: Richmond Cardinals
Height: 6-1

Weight: 195lbs
Bat/Throw: R/R