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VHSL Class 5 Previews: Region B

Bethel Bruins   

2025 Record: 12-10

A down year in comparison to their 16-6 season in 2024, the Bruins finished 13-11 last year. While they do have names like Ryder Zeman and Ryan Owens coming back, they lost a handful of their main producers. Conner Lamb, Josh Flicek, and Zahir Williams all provided offensive value, especially Lamb and Flicek. Those two hit better than .375 on the year, of which there were only three total hitters that hit over .300 on the season. The biggest returner may be Ryder Zeman who managed to hurl 44 innings on the mound and was responsible for nearly 30% of their wins. Luke Boulais is also gone, bringing their total innings lost on the mound to 70, which is 56% of their total innings pitched on the season. Zeman, who also hit .361, will need some help on the mound and at the plate if they want to get out of Region B, and especially if they want a chance against the always loaded Region 5A.

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Kecoughtan Warriors  

2025 Record: 10-13

While the record was 9-14 on the season, this is one of the most successful seasons in recent memory for the Warriors, making it to the Class 5 state tournament before losing to Ocean Lakes in the first round. Returning in 2026 are names like Kyle Kauffman and Brayden Fields, both of whom led the pitching staff in innings. Joining them are team batting leaders Aiden Bain, Jackson Mumford, and Kason Boone. Those three hit better than .325 last year and are vital to their success in 2026. While they do have a fair portion of the offense returning, they will need to make their most improvements in production on the mound, where the team ERA settled in at 5.98 for the season. They struck out about one hitter an inning, but walked two more hitters than they struck out on the season, which is a very tough number to win big games with.

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Maury Commodores

2025 Record: 19-4

The Commodores were one of the best teams in the 757 last spring with one of the top offenses. They batted .348 as a team they could score runs in a hurry and they return some of that impact. Lee Garris is one of the most explosive bats in the state and he is back for his senior campaign. He batted .508 with 4 home runs and 34 stolen bases. When he is on the field you feel his impact and having him in this lineup is a huge advantage for this team. Returning with Garris is Landen Hall, Andrew Hund, Walter Rieger, and Landon Strauss who were also valuable pieces to this lineup. They bring back a lot of their innings from last season including their frontline arm in Henry Mulvey. Mulvey threw 40 quality innings in some big games and he looks to do a lot of the same for this staff this spring. Casey Deshazo, Landen Hall, and Landon Strauss return and give them some depth on the mound. They will need to find a catcher to replace Derek Baker (William & Mary), but there are surrounding pieces to help this team make another push in the region.

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Menchville Monarchs

2025 Record: 13-7

Throughout the regular season the Monarchs handled competition and worked their way to the number two seed in the region. They would end up being upset in the first round by the lower seed Kecoughtan. They return some key contributors that look to make a run. Parker Jones, Jaylin Jubray, and Blake O’Berry are three of the top bats that return as they all batted over .400 on the year. Luke Woodard (Randolph-Macon) is the top returning arm 47 innings pitched with 66 strikeouts. Cameron Eicher and Ethan Ellis have a chance to add some innings to the rotation with Woodard and O’Berry. There is some arm talent on this team, but will they get enough run support to help out the pitching staff?

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Nansemond River Warriors

2025 Record: 8-14

There were some growing pains with some youth on the roster in 2025, but they come back a year older looking to change things around. They return some key offensive pieces in Evan Askew, Jackson DeFrietas, Michael Guerra, Jackson Martin (Virginia Wesleyan), and Landon Pociask. Ian Wilcox took the mound in some big games last spring, and he looks to do the same in 2026. Joining Weaver on the mound are Bryce Lyle (Paul D.Camp), Evin Stevens, and Colston Weaver that have some experience on the mound. With another year under their belt, it could help this team down the stretch of the season.

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Norview Pilots  

2025 Record: 10-12

Coming off of a 4th place finish in the Eastern District and a tournament loss to Warwick, the Pilots returrn eight starters and three arms from last season. Aaron Leigh Jr (New River CC) and Malaki Littlejohn bring plenty of speed and ability to score runs. Philip Mason, Kamaree Spiller (Bluefield), Manny Toledo (Bluefield), and Landon Otero should be some upperclass contributors for this team, while Steven Goldston, Will Sipe, and Charlie Stelmaszek are underclassmen to keep an eye on. While this may be Maury's region at the top, Norview has plenty of upperclass returners to potentially challenge for a region tournament run.