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VHSL Class 5 Previews: Region D

Briar Woods Falcons  

2025 Record: 12-11

The Falcons found themselves in some close games against quality teams, and some they won and some they couldn't seal the deal. They had an early exit in regionals in 2025, but they look to change the script in 2026. They arguably have one of the top pitching staffs in the region, returning Dani Jensen, Daniel Sanchez (Virginia), and Bryce Stanford (Longwood) who can give any opposing offense problems on any given night. Losing Max Lawson (Longwood) and Gage Strucko (Dodge City CC) will be hard to replace, but they have some offensive pieces returning to help generate runs for the pitching staff. Nick Donatella (Salisbury), Cole Harris, Liam Heffernan (McDaniel), Maxwell Henry (Shenandoah), Noah Martin (Chatham), Blake Mingo (JMU), and Gavin Sylvester (Misericordia) return to the lineup giving plenty of returning offensive production. If this staff can give consistent outings and the offense give them just a little run support, this team could make some noise in the region.

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Freedom (South Riding) Eagles  

2025 Record: 9-13

It wasn’t your typical year for the Eagles as they finished under .500 in 2025. They return some pieces that are a year older, hoping to change some things around in 2026. Brodie Carver (Shenandoah) is back for his senior campaign as an impact bat at the shortstop position. Frankie D’Amico, Luke Kozlowski, Kyle Lanouette, Daniel Lee, JW Valentini, and Brian Waldrop are other names that return to the team. The Eagles will be searching to replace some inning since graduating Liam Thyen (George Washington). Ian Choi is a young name to circle that could be an impact arm if he can carve out a role on this roster. There are some offensive pieces, but the pitching staff will have to come together to compete in the region.

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John Champe Knights  

2025 Record: 16-6

It was a strong season in 2025 for the Knights, and they returned some key pieces in 2026 in hopes of making a run in the region. Nick Warner (Wright State) brings so much versatility to this team that his everyday presence will be vital to their success. Brody Harris, Rylan Jordan, Ty Kann, and Cole Rounds-Raabe all return as offensive pieces around Warner. Trevor Casad threw a lot of the innings last spring, and Dan Kim and Elijah Marshall are two guys that could step into bigger roles to replace those innings. Finding some mound depth and manufacturing runs will be key for the Knights to get through the region.

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Lightridge Lightning Bolts  

2025 Record: 12-10

It was a slow start to the year while dealing with some injuries, but they turned things around on the back half of the year with some quality wins. They took that momentum and fell one win short of punching their ticket into the state tournament. They return in 2026 with a veteran group that includes six starters and five contributing arms. The biggest returner comes in the way of the impact bat of Ben Drinkwine (UNCW), whose power production will be important for manufacturing runs. Everett Clark, Matt Coleman, Jacob Niemeyer, and Grayson Roberts are other pieces returning to the lineup. They should also be joined by new face Landon Sirois. Michael Czekala is a freshman that could carve out a role this spring. Dylan Herr (Eastern Mennonite), Teddy Swigart, and Andrew Webb (Lynchburg) will be a trio that can give this team quality innings on the mound, but will the offense be enough?

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Riverbend Bears  

2025 Record: 21-6

It was a slow start to begin the year for Riverbend, but as soon as April hit, they reeled off 18 straight wins and made their way to the Class 5 semifinals. A lot of that production is gone for 2026 and will need some new faces to step into bigger roles. Luke Alexander (JMU) was the frontline arm for the Bears, and all his big game innings will need to be replaced. Caleb Rist (Carson-Newman) threw quality innings and is a prime candidate to step into that role. Joshua King and Aiden Pritt are among a few returners that will be needed to take on bigger roles. Logan Carter is an underclassman that could provide some value and potentially carve out a role on this team. There is a lot to replace, and how fast these new faces can step up the learning curve will be important to how fast they can get things going.

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Riverside Rams  

2025 Record: 10-11

The Rams struggled to get in a rhythm during the course of the season losing six of their final seven games of the year. They lose key pieces in Trey Graydon (Gardner Webb) and Chet Kosnar (Franklin & Marshall), but they bring back a bulk of the offense looking to flip the script in 2026. Charlie DePippo was strong behind the dish and giving offensive production in 2025 and he is back for his senior year to handle the catching duties. Colby Leinbach, Graydon Munsey, Caleb Oblas, and Brayden Zook are all returners in the infield. Zach Robertson is a dynamic athlete that could be a real difference maker to this team. Dylan Amos (Maryland) will be asked to log some important innings in big games this spring and he is up for the challenge. Lukas Harbour, Braden MacNeil, and Brayden Zook add to the pitching depth on the mound. Getting consistent outings on the mound will be the key for them having success.