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VHSL Class 3 Previews: Regions C & D

Abingdon Falcons    

2025 Record: 24-4 *VHSL Class 3 Runner Up*

The perennial powerhouse had one of the most talented rosters in the state in 2025, and that led them to the Class 3 state title game, where they fell short to Spotswood. As usual, they return in 2026 with another talented roster looking to capture a state championship. The all around contributions from Jett Humphreys (William & Mary) will be hugely missed, as he was a high contributor in the Abingdon program for years. The Falcons have several options for high-end two-way contributors to fill that void. Landon Turman (ECU) returns as one of the top arms for the Falcons that they can go to in big games. With all the things that he brings on the mound, he can be just as vital to their success with what he brings to the offense. Hayden Reed (Virginia Tech) brings high end competitiveness to the field; whether it is on the mound or at the plate, he is someone that is going to give his best effort no matter the opponent. Hudson Large looks to step into a larger role, as he is an impact bat that can move around to different positions in the infield and can also get things done on the mound as well. Returning behind the dish to handle the staff is the physical junior Judge Dillow. He provides athleticism and a power bat that can be a run producer in the heart of the order. Aiden Smith can be a versatile weapon for the Falcons with his athleticism and the potential to impact the baseball. Newcomer Evan Denton (Carson-Newman) has a chance to carve his way into a significant role for this team that would just add tremendous depth to the pitching rotation. There is talent up and down this roster, and there wouldn’t be a surprise for them making a lot of noise for the Class 3 title.

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Broadway Gobblers   

2025 Record: 17-6

The Gobblers went on a scorching start in 2025, showing to be one of the top offenses in the valley. Losing the explosive bat of Sy Crider (Bridgewater) and the versatility of Cristian Rivera (Shepherd) to graduation will be huge losses, but they return some experienced offensive pieces to help. Colby Fesler returns for his junior season looking to be a difference maker at the top of the order. Jake Messick (Paul D. Camp CC), Zane Riggleman, and Zechariah Stuhlmiller head into their senior year with experience for the Gobblers. Fesler returns as the frontline arm, but pitching depth and who will be next man up as the impact bat for this team are two questions that will need to be answered if Broadway wants to challenge teams in Class 3.

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Brookville Bees    

2025 Record: 13-9

The Bees showed some flashes of being a threat in the Lynchburg area by staying close in big games and picking up a couple of quality wins during the late stretch of the season. Mason Coleman (Ferrum) has been a steady presence on the varsity level, and he does a little bit of everything for the Bees that looks to help them get over the hump. Bryce Tolbert (Lynchburg) was a nice addition to the staff last season as he immediately jumped in as frontline arm in the rotation that picked up some important wins on the mound. Camden Brown is another senior that has gained plenty of experience and brings some production to the lineup. Juniors Aiden Dowdy and John-Parker Newman look to make a bigger impact with another year under their belt. There is talent in this lineup but they will need to find other arms in the rotation behind Coleman and Tolbert that can give them quality outings.

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Cave Spring Knights    

2025 Record: 9-12

There were some bumps in the road throughout the season, but they showed some flashes of a team to reckon with while they continue to develop as a younger group. Evan Lee (Longwood) can provide a spark to any lineup against some quality competition with his competitiveness and high motor. Having him in the lineup gives the Knights a top of the order table setter. Joining Lee as returning juniors are Logan Meinster and Sam Urgo, who were some important bats in the heart of the order that add to the firepower of this offense. Joe Farwell (Patrick Henry CC), Tyler Harrison, Landon Matthews (Potomac State), Ethan Richards, and Ryan Tibey (Mary Baldwin) are seniors that were regular contributors that return with another year under their belt. This offense has a chance to score runs, but they will need someone to step into a frontline role to compete against opposing offenses in the west.

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Christiansburg Blue Demons   

2025 Record: 13-8

This year’s roster will look a lot different than it has in the past. It was a senior heavy roster that had plenty of production throughout. The Blue Demons will only return three starters and two arms this year. Rocco Fizzano (Concord) was a steady presence on the mound in big games, and his production will be missed. Ethan Wayman (Radford) looks to be the next man up that will take on those innings in those impact games. Connor Adams (New River CC), Gavin Dow (Concord), Sam Dudash, Levi Glosh, and Logan Roberts all graduate, and their offensive contributions will be hard to replace. Charlie Bolling, Caleb Crotty, and Mason Cullop return to help with the offensive production. A few young names to know for this Christiansburg program are Easton Murden, Brasen Hutchens, Walker Overbay, and Garrett Overbay. They have some frontline arm potential with Wayman, but they will need some run support to rack up a few more wins.

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East Rockingham Eagles    

2025 Record: 17-4

The Eagles fell in a heartbreaker to their crosstown rivals Turner Ashby in an extra innings affair in the region quarterfinals. Losing Landon Bruce, Will Eppard, Bradley Shifflett, and Ryan Wright (Mary Baldwin) will be hard to replace, but they bring back some key pieces to help some of that turnover. Alex Jenkins (Concord) will be more important than ever for the Eagles as he returns as the anchor of the middle infield and an important arm on the mound. Kayden Gibson, Grayson Hammer, and Colin Root are three more seniors that return to this offense that gives some depth to the offense. Brady Grant gained some experience on the varsity level as a freshman and could step into a bigger role in 2026. This is a scrappy group, and if they can find some arm depth on the mound, then they could find themselves being one of the better teams in the valley.

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Fluvanna Flucos   

2025 Record: 16-6 

The Flucos were one of the hotter teams late in the season as they reeled off thirteen straight wins as they made their way into late June. While on that winning streak, they ended up punching their ticket into the Class 3 state tournament. They would end up losing to the perennial powerhouse, the Abingdon Falcons, who would end up being the runner-ups in Class 3. Replacing the innings on the mound from Caden Harris (UVA Wise), Christian Lounsbury (Hampden Sydney), and Camdyn Via will be important for the Flucos. Tramayne Minor looks like a prime candidate to step into a bigger role on the mound in 2026. Sam Loving returns as the top bat and the everyday shortstop that sparks the offense at the top of the lineup. Kyle Harris, Jacob Loving, Carson Melton, Carson Raines, and Brody Shields are some surrounding pieces that can help Loving generate some consistent offense. Having some new arms step up to the challenge will be important if the Flucos want to get back to the state tournament.

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Liberty Christian Academy Bulldogs   

2025 Record: 16-4

Just like any year, the Bulldogs have a roster that puts them in contention for a state title. Losing Joshua Hall ( Patrick Henry CC) and Ayden Walker (Lynchburg) will be hard to replace, but there is talent to make up for the losses. Bryce Torres (George Mason) and Cam Arthur (VCU) are one of the top defensive duos in the state that can lock up the middle infield. What they bring defensively is key, but they are going to have to be productive with the bat to help generate runs. Gray Craddock returns behind the dish, handling the pitching staff and adding a physical bat to the lineup. Clark Breedlove (Patrick Henry CC) and Parker Jones add to the offensive depth of this lineup. Replacing the meaningful innings on the mound that Walker provided will be tough, but Griffin Bryant and Landon Miller look to take bigger roles on the mound. There is a lot to like positionally, but having some arms step up will be important. If they can do that, the Bulldogs will be in contention for the Class 3 title.

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Lord Botetourt Cavaliers  

2025 Record: 12-9-1

The Cavaliers finished the year above .500 but fell in the first round of regionals. In 2026 they return a good amount of pieces that look to take that experience into the spring. Losing the impact bats of Noah Donaho (Roanoke) and Issac Nichols is a huge deficit, but they return some pieces that can generate some offense. Jairdan Pennix returns to the top of the order with athleticism and the ability to create instant offense. Brady Kish (Averett) is one of the top bats returning that has a knack for getting on base and making things happen at the top of the order. Garrett Lonker (Carson-Newman) returns as an impact bat and a guy that can throw some quality innings on the mound. Kobe Hairston and Chase Peck are juniors that got time on the varsity level last year, and they give some more mound depth behind Lonker. Swisher Cook is a name to circle, while we don’t know where he fits in with this roster, he could be a name to make an impact at some point for the Cavaliers. With all that is coming back will this be enough firepower to support the pitching staff?

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Northside Vikings   

2025 Record: 17-8

The Vikings were a sleeper team heading into the 2025 season, and they exceeded expectations. punch their ticket to the Class 3 state tournament, where they fell to the eventual state champions, Spotswood. In 2026 they return a bulk of their major contributors that look to make their way back to the state tournaments. Camden Spangler put up ridiculous numbers as a sophomore, batting over .500 and striking out 74 batters in 48 innings. His all-around production will once again be leaned on for them to have high level success. Seniors Evan Bruce (Hampden-Sydney) and Mason Stanley (Roanoke) both batted over .400 on the year, and having their offensive production back will be key. Aries Oliver (Ferrum), Brett Taylor, and Justin Tucker add more depth to the lineup that can give different options of manufacturing runs. Tristen Drumwright and Dylan Hartman are two names to keep an eye on that could make an impact on this team. Spangler and Tucker logged a bulk of the innings on the mound last spring, but having more depth behind them could dictate how far this team goes.

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Pulaski County Cougars

2025 Record: 10-10

It was an injury-riddled season for the Cougars in 2025 that slowed down the high expectations after making a state tournament appearance in 2024. The roster turnover will be tremendous, as they lose Johnny Anderson, Zach Dalton, Brogan Epperly (Bluefield State), Chase Lawrence, Andrew Newberry, and Auston Wilson, who were all big contributors. Kaleb Sartin is the straw that stirs the drink at the top of the order with his high-end athleticism. Seth Carter has the ability to take the next step of being an impact bat in the middle of the order and generate runs. Cade Souder was a mainstay in the infield as a freshman and looks to be a returner to lock down the infield. Cole Hutton will be key as he returns to full health as one of the top arms of this staff. Carter and Sartin can chip in with innings on the mound, but they will need an arm to rely on when they are playing positionally. There is a lot to replace on this roster, so some new faces will have to step into bigger roles.

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Spotswood Trailblazers   

2025 Record: 22-4 *VHSL Class 3 State Champions*

It was a spectacular run that the Trailblazers went on en route to their Class 3 state title. It was pure dominance in the state tournament, where they outscored their opponents 29-8. Two big pieces of that run are Brady Hoover (Longwood) and Carter Lenz (USF), and what they brought on the mound will be hard to replace. The unsung hero in the state title game was Ty Howard. The young right handers looks to step into the frontline arm role and be the next top arm out of Spotswood. There are some holes to fill in the infield after they lost Andrew Hawkins (Shepherd) and Andrew O’Brien (Shepherd), but they do have the luxury of bringing back the lockdown defender Cam Blank (Liberty). The experience up the middle that Blank has is irreplaceable, and the offense that he brings is just an added plus. Landon Buracker returns for his sophomore season with some varsity experience and is primed for a bigger role for the Trailblazers. There’s a lot of turnover, but there are some pieces they can work with to try to get their way back to another state title.

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Turner Ashby Knights

2025 Record: 15-8

You could say that the Knights were a bit ahead of schedule, with a young roster just being one win away from punching their ticket into the Class 3 state tournament in 2025. Heading into 2026, they bring back a bulk of their roster and look to get over the hump. The Knights return eight hitters from the lineup and six arms on the mound. Thomas Knight (Rutgers) and Mason Mantz are two players that are important to their success. Knight provides some impact on the mound from the left-hand side and can be a true run producer in the middle of the order. Mantz handles the pitching staff behind the plate and is a consistent spark plug that can make things happen offensively. Grady Bowman, William Knicley, Caden Simmers, Colin Trost, and Cooper Smith provide some depth in the lineup with Knight and Mantz. Sammy Moats threw quality innings throughout the year and looks to do the same heading into his senior season, as he is the staff workhorse and has the experience to make a big impact. This is a sleeper group because of the scrappy offense that this team can put on display.

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William Byrd Terriers  

2025 Record: 11-12

The Terriers showed some flashes of some upside, picking up some quality wins on the back end of the year and making their way to the region quarterfinals. They bring back some back pieces that made an impact in 2025. Having Connor Jones back on the mound for another year is important, as he threw 53 innings last spring. Joining Jones in the rotation is Cannin Lutz, who also threw quality innings last spring and was one of the top producers in the lineup. Jacob Courtemanche, Tyler Harris, Tate Kotz, Kylind Spence, and JW Vaughan (Surry CC) carry out this group of seniors that bring experience to this lineup. There is a veteran presence on this team, but will that be enough to make a run in the region?

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Wilson Memorial Green Hornets

2025 Record: 14-8

Wilson Memorial had some success last spring, working their way to a 14-8 record. They return with some experience, looking to add on to that success in 2026. Christian Brewer is a senior who will be an important piece on the mound, logging big innings. Addy Flesher and Jake McWhorter are two seniors returning to the offense that will patrol the outfield. Juan Michael Aguirre and Logan Podgorski are juniors that add to the offensive depth for this team. Nolan Deaver was impactful as a freshman in 2025 and looks to continue the impact as a sophomore. Chase Cantori and Frankie Kovac are freshmen that could be a part of their success this spring. There are a mix of veterans and youth that could push this team through the region.