2026 Season Previews: VHSL Class 4 (Regions C & D)
March 2, 2026
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VHSL Class 4 Region C Preview:
Broad Run Spartans 
2025 Record: 7-13
A 7-13 season from the Spartans that ended at the hands of Loudoun County. Returning in 2026 are a few familiar faces in JP Aesoph, Connor Bagby, Blake Chow (Richard Bland), Ezra Le, and Luke Brandenburg. Cooper Le, Xavier Franzonello, and Evan McLaughlin are a couple of significant losses from last year, with Franzonello being one of their main arms. The defending Class 4 State Champs and the runner up are within this region, making it a very tough road for the Spartans if they want to get back to a state tournament in 2026.
Dominion Titans 
2025 Record: 8-13
The Titans were 8-13 last season, after being a year removed from a state tournament appearance in 2025. Jaden Beyer (Marymount), Cameron Hoover, and Max Egbert are three of the very few returning contributors from a Dominion team that was hit hard from a senior heavy roster in 2025. While the Titans did not have any big signature wins, they were extremely competitive in games versus Heritage, Tuscarora, and Lightridge. Their final two losses of the season came to the eventual state champion Heritage Pride by a combined three runs, but with all of the losses on the mound and in the lineup, it would be tough to imagine the Titans competing for a Region 4C title in 2026. Beyer will be a big bright spot at the top of the lineup, but they will need others to contribute in a variety of ways if they want to challenge the two odds on favorites, Woodgrove and Heritage.
Heritage (Leesburg) Pride
2025 Record: 18-11 *VHSL Class 4 State Champions*
Not sure we have seen a turnaround quite like the one that Heritage made last spring. After a 4-9 start to the season, the Pride won 14 of their next 16 games, including a 12 game winning streak to end the season with a Class 4 State Title. 1st Team All-State member Aaron Van Tuyle (Richmond) graduated, but the return of his counterpart Mark Van Tuyle (George Mason) should put them in a good place headed into 2026. While both were on the shelf in some capacity last season, the team struggled to find its way, but once they returned, they were unstoppable. Joining the Van Tuyle’s in big breakout seasons was Cooper Miskelly (Lynchburg). Miskelly hit .409 while leading the team in runs scored and being tied for the lead in RBI. Miskelly also swiped 19 bags on the season and added a team leading four triples. Aiden Delaney (Mt. St. Mary’s) and Cam McManus made significant contributions of their own at the plate last season and should be factors in this lineup once again. Erick Flores should be the backbone of the defense, handling the catching duties once again, while a big breakout spring could be incoming for sophomore Davin Crain who was an everyday presence as a freshman. While there was certainly a major downside to the time missed in 2025 by the Van Tuyle’s, the one thing that it did do is establish some pitching staff depth that should be a huge value to this team in 2026. Joining staff ace Mark Van Tuyle should be the familiar names of Crain, Sam Walsh, McManus, Delaney, and Bryce Hayes (Norfolk State). All of those arms contributed anywhere from 13 to 26 innings last spring, making this one of the more experienced and deeper staffs in this region. With their staff and returning offensive pieces, it is safe to say that Heritage is in a good place to pick up where they left off last spring.
Loudoun County Captains 
2025 Record: 10-14
The Captains had four consistent faces in the lineup that .300 or better, all but one of them has since graduated. Jacob Martin (Shenandoah), Quin Miller, and Ben Griffin all graduated, leaving massive holes in this lineup. Nathan Yowell is the only remaining hitter that saw significant success in 2025, hitting .315 on the season with 6 doubles. In addition the offense that was lost, arms like Josh Cook (Harford CC), Andrew Fees, and Damon Smithson all threw significant innings, with Cook and Fees combining for more than 75 innings last spring. Philip Lau is a new face that could add some ability to this staff. Names like Matthew Friend and Owen Picarillo (Chatham) will need to be bigger pieces of the puzzle if they want to add more wins to their 10-14 record from last season.
Loudoun Valley Vikings 
2025 Record: 12-10
The Vikings were 12-10 last season, with highlight wins over Briar Woods, Tuscarora, and Heritage. Their two do-it-all guys are back for 2026, with Cole Schaaf and Landon Bauer (JMU) returning to the lineup and pitching staff. Also back are names like Eli Acosta (Chatham) and Tank Baber. The departure of Davis Bush (Salisbury) from the pitching staff will be a big loss, as will the offense of John Pryes. Jacob Benikas, Andrew Mazzara, and Teddy Nordling add to the experience back for this lineup. It will be interesting to see who picks up Bush’s innings on the mound, as the pitching staff will be an extremely important fix if they want to compete with some of the offense that teams like Woodgrove and Heritage bring to the park.
Tuscarora Huskies 
2025 Record: 9-14
The Huskies didn’t meet expectations in 2025, and they look to quickly turn things around this spring. Ian Sullivan was a big contributor, as he threw 41 innings on the year and batted .344 in his sophomore year. Michael McIntosh returns as the second arm in the rotation, following up with 39 innings on the year to help out with the mound duties. Chas Battaglia is athletic and versatile and gives a spark at the top of the order as well as being the main guy up the middle at shortstop. Liam Hurst, Brett Majkowski, JJ Mitchell, and Carter Peshke return for some other offensive options. The X-factor for this team is Connor Quill (Roanoke) returning to form and being a reliable impact bat to score some runs for this offense. If they can manufacture runs, it will help their chances.
Woodgrove Wolverines 
2025 Record: 22-5
The Wolverines got off to a hot start last spring, where they didn’t lose their first game until the last week of April. They would continue to play well, making their way all the way to the Class 4 title game, where they fell to Heritage. They graduate some key players from that run in Vincenzo Cusat, John Hays, and Patrick Lyons (Air Force), but there is plenty of talent returning for 2026. Bryan Miller Jr. (UCF) is the head of the snake as he jump-starts the offense and locks down the run game, and handles the pitching staff behind the plate. Coltan Dezarn, Walker Kennedy, and Garrett Stotlar all return to the infield for another year. Losing the innings of Brodie Carley, Ryder Fiala, and Dane Marsh will need to be replaced, but Chad Nielsen (Southern Virginia) can step into a bigger role to help out as well as Miller. There are some underclassmen that may or may not have a role with this team, but they are names to keep an eye on in Colton Dabkowski, Braiden Miller, and James Van Der Post. With the guys that they bring back and the upcoming talent, they could find themselves battling for a state title again in 2026.
VHSL Class 4 Region D Preview:
Blacksburg Bruins 
2025 Record: 16-4
During a 16-4 season, two of the losses came to Salem (Salem). Two of the top three bats graduated last spring, with Brice Abbott (Longwood) and Reese Tysor both making significant offensive contributions to this Bruins team. Abbott was out of his mind last spring, hitting .547 with 5 doubles and 8 homeruns. Major Marshall (Ferrum) and Max Matthews both played key roles, especially with Marshall being a multi-year starter behind the plate. In addition to the offensive losses, the Bruins lost more than 60 combined innings from Abbott and Mason Underwood. While they both threw a considerable amount of innings, Sam Szefc was the lock down, go to arm. Szefc struck out 48 in 28 innings of work, while only walking 7 hitters and carrying a 0.98 ERA. The uncommitted star also hit .452 while leading the team in runs scored and doubles. Soma Kato, Noah Owczarski, Brandt Abbott, Zay Noble, and Bowie Galbraith are all names to watch as they continue to grow into bigger roles for this Bruins squad. Jack Mann and Keefer Caldwell were two regulars that had their bright spots in the lineup, but they will need to be more consistent forces in the lineup this spring if they want to mirror the 2025 season. Mann and Trick Sams should be two names to watch, as they hope to round out this staff with similar success that they had in 2025.
Charlottesville Black Knights 
2025 Record: 12-8
Andrew Cullinan (Delaware Valley) and Mason Divers (WV Inst. of Tech.) were two of the main losses from 2025, with both players contributing at the plate and Cullinan being their frontline arm. Cullinan threw nearly 40 innings last season and accounting for nearly half of their wins. Julian Mark Williams (Oberlin) and Lucas Arbelaez (Randolph-Macon) should be two of their main arms, both combining for 45 innings last year. At the plate, the Black Knights were led by Arbelaez (.472) and Abe Jaspen (.370). In limited time, Brady Mauder also showed some promise at the plate and will need to be a consistent force his senior season. Jaspen was the most impactful bat for Charlottesville, producing the most extra base hits on the team. Two other seniors to keep an eye on as contributors are Snyder Pate and Jayden Butler. Cabell Rose and Henry Hughes will also need to have impactful junior years if the Black Knights want to make a run in 2026.
EC Glass Hilltoppers 
2025 Record: 13-8
A 13-8 season in 2025, it was more of wins over teams they should take care of, while there were some close games versus quality teams that they just were not able to pull out a win. In order for Glass to win this region they will need to be able to beat the likes of Halifax, JF, and Salem among others. Returning in 2026 they have staff ace Tyler Ruhl (VMI) and Kowen Brehm as contributing arms. Ruhl dominated when he was on the mound last season, throwing 53 innings, striking out 90, and maintaining a .913 ERA. Graduating from the offense are names like Scooter Ball, Hudson Fore, and Kaleb Brehm. Brock Hall is arguably the best returning bat after a sophomore season that saw him hit .328. Ruhl had a solid season of his own, hitting .317 on the year to add to his value on the mound. Overall, they have the frontline arm they need, but the offense must pick up, especially versus quality opponents, if they want to contend for a Class 4 title in 2026.
Halifax County Comets 
2025 Record: 21-7
59 wins the last three seasons for the Comets, with last season resulting in a 21-7 record. Bailee Henderson comes back for his senior season after leading the team in hitting with a .450 batting average. Elijah Seamster, who was second on the team in batting average (.447), has since graduated, as well as fellow 2025 graduates Cole Bowen and Jay Farmer. CJ Farley will be a big loss in his own right, with his contributions coming on the mound. Farley threw just over 33 innings, while sporting a 2.5 ERA. Logan Clark (NC State), Carter Thomasson (Ferrum), and Garison Colwell (Patrick Henry CC) will join Henderson as vital parts of this team. As a team, the Comets hit a staggering .310 last season with 33 doubles, 9 triples, and 9 homeruns, with Clark and Colwell accounting for 8 of them. Ryder Milam is a young name that had a really solid season in 2025 and should play an important role again this year. Colin Hatcher and Ty Throckmorton have a chance to have an impact on this offense as well. The offense should be in a pretty good spot, but on the mound is where they have always been at their best and will need to do it in a big way if they want to compete in Class 4 this season.
Jefferson Forest Cavaliers 
2025 Record: 22-3
JF is one of the more successful programs in the western part of the state. Last season was another quality year under Coach Gilleland, reeling off 22 wins and reaching the state quarterfinals. 2026 will see a slightly different roster, with the Cavs losing Mitchell Moore, Landon Mitchell (Averett), Duncan Apperson (New River CC), and Justin Godsey. Moore and Godsey were the two top arms in terms of total innings pitched, with Moore being staff ace and sitting at a .636 ERA for the year. Godsey was no slouch either, holding down a 1.36 ERA and only walking 6 in his 25 innings of work. On the mound, Caleb Winterfeldt (Richard Bland) should be one of their best returning arms and he should be joined by transfer TJ McLaughlin (Walters State CC). Moore and Mitchell will certainly be missed at the plate, with Moore hitting .466 and Mitchell at .373. Parker Deaner looks to take over the catching duties this year. Beckett Gilleland should be the top returning offensive threat, with the senior first baseman hitting .357 with 5 doubles and a homerun. Isaac Elder and Jake Massie had solid seasons in their own right, both hitting north of .315. Jacob Eckart (Concord) and Jack Mistretta will be two names that will need to be more steady producers at the plate if they want a chance at another deep run in 2026.
Mecklenburg Phoenix 
2025 Record: 7-12
Mecklenburg is more of a new face inside of Class 4 after the new school was created, combining Park View and Bluestone in southern Virginia. The Phoenix were pretty young last season, returning seven of their top nine hitters from last season, including team leaders Aidan Reed, Jake Wesson, and Dalton Whittington. In addition to all of their returning offense, every arm that threw more than six innings will be back, with Payton George and Aaron Thompson leading the charge. The staff ERA landed just south of 5.0 and the batting average just south of .280, both being areas that will need significant improvements if they want to compete with the likes of Salem, Glass, JF, and Halifax for a regional crown.
Salem (Roanoke) Spartans 
2025 Record: 16-7
Carter Black (Concord), Trace Monroe (VMI), Thomas Millard, and Keegan Craighead all graduated from their 16-7 team last season. While all of them contributed in their own right on the offensive side, Black and Monroe will be massive losses on the mound. That will leave a lot on the shoulders of the offense, as well as the somewhat depleted pitching staff. Brayden White (Ferrum), Mason Hale (Ferrum), and Ben Keffer should be front end of the order hitters, while fellow senior Jack Stroud also contributed at times last season. Zach Bocock (JMU) has not been a frontline arm for the Spartans, but will need to take on a bigger role and have consistent success if they want to make another playoff run this season.