2026 VA/DC Diamond Notes: Week 2

April 3, 2026
Staff
Prep Baseball Virginia/DC

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In 2026, one of our goals during the high school season is to highlight more players from around the state. While our staff is out on the road at more than fifteen games every week, we cannot be everywhere. This year we are leaning on high school coaches and asking for their submissions highlighting players in their program that had a big week. Every Friday we will run the Diamond Notes series in order to highlight exactly what those players did for their high school team.

A couple of notes before we dig in to what type of week some of those standouts had, we will only be linking players that currently have an active profile with Prep Baseball. How does this help? Coaches can access video and data within your profile. Don't have one? You can create one for FREE right here.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the players that were submitted for week one.

Virginia/DC High School Coverage:

Diamond Notes: Week 2

Blacksburg High School

Sam Szefc - Grad Class: 2027 - INF/P - Virginia Tech

Performance: Szefc delivered a dominant two-way performance this week, going 7-for-9 at the plate with two doubles, two triples, and a grand slam. He accounted for six runs scored and six RBIs. On the mound, he was perfect over 5.0 innings, striking out 13 batters without surrendering a hit, run, or walk.

Season to Date: He is currently batting .769 with an OPS of 2.505. Defensively on the mound, he has maintained a hitless and scoreless season through 5.0 innings of work with 13 strikeouts.

Soma Kato - Grad Class: 2027 - INF

Performance: Kato enjoyed a highly productive week, finishing 6-for-8 with a double, four RBIs, and seven runs scored.

Season to Date: Kato leads the team in runs scored (9) while maintaining a .667 batting average and a 1.500 OPS.

Charlottesville High School

Julian Mark-Williams - Grad Class: 2026 - Pitcher - Oberlin College

Performance: Mark-Williams earned a complete game victory, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing only three hits and two earned runs. He dominated the strike zone, racking up 12 strikeouts against just one walk.

Christiansburg High School

Caleb Crotty - Grad Class: 2027 - Catcher/IF

Performance: Crotty finished the week 1-for-3 with two RBIs. He provided a crucial insurance hit against Magna Vista, driving in two runs to extend the lead.

Notes: Beyond the box score, Crotty displayed impressive leadership behind the plate, successfully managing a young pitching staff through a significant regional road win.

Brasen Hutchens - Grad Class: 2028 - OF

Performance: Hutchens went 1-for-4 this week, notably hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against Magna Vista to set the tone for the victory.

Season to Date: Currently hitting .364 with a 1.235 OPS, including two doubles and a home run.

Collegiate School

Michael Chambers - Grad Class: 2026 - SS - Mary Washington

Performance: Chambers went 4-for-8 across two victories over Steward and BCP, contributing four stolen bases.

Notes: He remains a steady defensive anchor in the middle infield and continues to provide consistent, high-quality at-bats for the offense.

Douglas Freeman High School

Jack Adams - Grad Class: 2028 - OF/Utility

Performance: Adams went 4-for-8 with a double, two runs, and two stolen bases. He also made a significant defensive impact by throwing out a runner at the plate against Prince George.

Matthew Berrey - Grad Class: 2027 - Utility

Performance: Berrey put together a versatile week, going 4-for-8 with four runs and two stolen bases. He also contributed 3.0 innings of competitive relief pitching, allowing one earned run to earn a save.

Justin Bischoff - Grad Class: 2027 - Pitcher

Performance: Bischoff showed excellent command and swing-and-miss stuff this week, recording 14 strikeouts.

Gabe Winterhoff - Grad Class: 2028 - INF

Performance: Winterhoff was 3-for-8 at the plate, showing great plate discipline to score five runs and drive in four RBIs over the week.

Gonzaga College High School

Matteo Pipia - Grad Class: 2028 - IF/RHP

Performance: Pipia was an offensive catalyst during a 4-0 week, batting .531 with eight hits and seven runs. He delivered a clutch double and scored in a tight 2-0 win over the Louisiana state runner-up.

Season to Date: Currently batting .462 with 18 hits and 17 runs scored through the early season.

Jackson Schmidt - Grad Class: 2028 - RHP/IF

Performance: Schmidt earned a win against elite competition, throwing 5.0 scoreless innings of two-hit ball with three strikeouts. Offensively, he added a clutch RBI double against Covenant Christian.

Season to Date: Holds a 3-1 record with a 2.10 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 13.1 innings.

Greenbrier Christian

Cam Kaliher - Grad Class: 2026 - Catcher

Performance: Kaliher went 8-for-13 this week, including a 3-for-4 performance with a double and a home run against Cape Henry. He finished the week with seven RBIs.

Clayton Moore - Grad Class: 2028 - RHP

Performance: Moore was dominant on the mound, striking out 13 batters in 5.1 innings of work while allowing zero earned runs on only three hits.

Ryan Watson - Grad Class: 2027 - 1B - Uncommitted

Performance: Watson swung a hot bat, going 6-for-13 with three home runs and seven RBIs. Impressively, all three home runs came in a single 3-for-4 performance against Cape Henry. He also pitched 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings in relief.

Hampton High School

Jaycob Flores - Grad Class: 2026 - 3B - Norfolk State

Performance: Flores went 3-for-5 with five runs and six stolen bases this week.

Season to Date: Slashing .545/.600/.636 with eight RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Bryson Ismael-Gantt - Grad Class: 2027 - CF

Performance: Ismael-Gantt hit .500 (4-for-8) for the week with four RBIs. He also displayed his arm strength with a highlight outfield assist, throwing a runner out at home from center field.

Herndon High School

Drew Patton - Grad Class: 2026 - RHP - Lehigh

Performance: Patton delivered an elite performance on the mound, pitching 5.0 innings of one-hit baseball. He recorded nine strikeouts while surrendering zero runs.

Hayden Rita - Grad Class: 2026 - RHP

Performance: Rita earned a win against a strong Vero Beach (FL) program, throwing 5.0 innings and allowing just one earned run with seven strikeouts.

Season to Date: Currently 2-0 with a save and a 0.68 ERA over 10.1 innings.

John Battle High School

Casey Rector - Grad Class: 2027 - SS - Rutgers

Performance: Rector went 6-for-12 with two doubles, a home run, and four RBIs. He contributed on the basepaths with three stolen bases while providing high-level defensive leadership at shortstop.

Caden Sturgill - Grad Class: 2026 - P/OF

Performance: Sturgill went 2-0 on the mound this week, totaling 11.0 innings with 11 strikeouts and zero runs allowed. He showed a mature ability to command the zone with a three-pitch mix.

Kellam High School

Mason Hanly - Grad Class: 2027 - LF - N/A

Performance: Hanly went 5-for-7 with six RBIs, including a perfect 4-for-4 game against Hickory.
Season to Date: Currently batting .667 with nine RBIs and a home run.
Cooper Townsend - Grad Class: 2026 - SS - N/A

Performance: Townsend went 3-for-7 with two RBIs. He was a multi-level contributor, providing two hits and an RBI against Hickory and another hit against Cox.

King William High School

Henry Kite - Grad Class: 2026 - Pitcher - William and Mary

Performance: Kite pitched 5.2 innings against Mechanicsville, allowing one earned run while striking out five. He also contributed at the plate, batting in the three-hole and recording a hit against Deep Run.

Season to Date: 2.74 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 7.2 innings pitched.

Stevie Walton - Grad Class: 2026 - OF

Performance: Walton was the team's most consistent offensive threat this week, going 3-for-6 against Mechanicsville and Deep Run.
Season to Date: Currently batting .400 with a .600 OBP and 1.100 OPS.

Landstown High School

Dawson Hogan - Grad Class: 2026 - 3B - Paul D. Camp

Performance: Hogan had a perfect week at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three walks and two HBPs (reaching base in every plate appearance). He added four runs, three RBIs, and five stolen bases.

Aidan Ross - Grad Class: 2026 - Pitcher - Chowan

Performance: Ross worked 5.0 innings, allowing only one earned run on three hits while striking out seven batters. This marked the first earned run he has surrendered in over 10 innings of work this season.

Manchester High School

Easton Butts - Grad Class: 2026 - Catcher - Lynchburg

Performance: Butts went 3-for-7 this week with two home runs and five RBIs, maintaining a .428 average for the reporting period.

Judah Parks - Grad Class: 2026 - Pitcher - Lynchburg

Performance: Parks threw a 7.0-inning no-hitter against Midlothian, striking out 11 batters in a masterful performance. He currently holds a 2-0 record on the season.

Mechanicsville High School

Wyatt Parker - Grad Class: 2027 - SS - William & Mary

Performance: Parker was explosive at the plate, going 5-for-10 with two doubles, a triple, and two home runs. He drove in seven runs, including a go-ahead three-run home run in the 7th inning against Deep Run.

Josh Scholl - Grad Class: 2027 - Pitcher

Performance: In his first varsity start, Scholl tossed a 7.0-inning complete game in the championship of the Deep Run Spring Break Tournament. He allowed only one unearned run and four hits.

Mills Godwin

Jacob Babcock - Grad Class: 2027 - 3B/P - James Madison

Performance: Babcock provided a two-way spark, going 3-for-7 with three RBIs at the plate and pitching 3.1 innings of scoreless relief (0 ER, 3 K) against Atlee.

Camden Lockhart - Grad Class: 2026 - OF - Coker

Performance: Lockhart went 5-for-7 across two games. His 4-for-4 performance against Atlee—featuring a double, a home run, and four RBIs—was instrumental in the team's victory.

Eli Macturk - Grad Class: 2026 - 1B/P

Performance: Macturk hit .500 (3-for-6) with a home run and four RBIs over two games. He also added 2.0 dominant innings on the mound against Deep Run, striking out five.

Riverbend

Shane Henderson - Grad Class: 2028 - Pitcher - Uncommitted

Performance: Henderson delivered a strong 6.0-inning outing against Colonial Forge, striking out 11 batters and issuing zero walks while allowing just one run.

Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School

James Genovese - Grad Class: 2026 - OF - New River Community College

Performance: Serving as the leadoff catalyst, Genovese went 4-for-7 with two doubles and seven stolen bases over two games.
Season to Date: Currently hitting .320 with nine stolen bases through the early portion of the schedule.

Peter Zakrwzski - Grad Class: 2026 - Pitcher - N/A

Performance: Zakrwzski earned the win on the mound, striking out seven batters over 4.0 innings. He also helped his own cause at the plate with a two-RBI performance.

Season to Date: The 6'2" senior has compiled 11 strikeouts against just two walks in three appearances.

Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy

Peyton Conley - Grad Class: 2029 - Pitcher

Performance: Conley struck out 10 batters in 5.0 innings this week, allowing only three hits.

Season to Date: He has accumulated 20 strikeouts in just 10.1 innings pitched.

Brody Edwards - Grad Class: 2027 - SS

Performance: Edwards went 4-for-7 this week with two RBIs and two runs.

Season to Date: He is currently batting .411 (7-for-17) with seven RBIs and four runs scored.

St. Anne's Belfield

Brooks Fox - Grad Class: 2026 - Catcher - N/A

Performance: Fox went 5-for-8 (.625) over three wins, including a double and a home run.

Season to Date: As the primary catcher for an undefeated (11-0-1) squad, Fox is batting .394 with a 1.136 OPS.

Oscar Hickey - Grad Class: 2026 - Centerfield - William and Mary

Performance: Hickey had a power-surge week, hitting .545 (6-for-11) with three home runs, a double, and five RBIs over three games.

St. Paul VI Catholic High School

Ryan Bahr - Grad Class: 2028 - P/3B - N/A

Performance: Bahr was exceptional both ways this week, going 5-for-10 with a home run and 5 RBIs while tossing 4.0 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

Season to Date: Bahr has a 0.00 ERA over 9.0 innings this season with 19 strikeouts and zero walks. At the plate, he is slashing .448/.500/.724 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.

Stone Bridge

Matthew Belger - Grad Class: 2026 - RHP - Longwood

Performance: Belger turned in a historic performance on the mound, pitching a 7.0-inning complete game. He allowed zero earned runs and struck out 16 batters, the second-highest single-game total in school history.

Daniel House - Grad Class: 2028 - CF

Performance: The sophomore went 6-for-10 (.600) over three games, including four RBIs and a key hit that set up the game-winning run against Woodgrove.

The Potomac School

Tony Diller - Grad Class: 2026 - 1B/LHP - Bard College

Performance: Diller hit .571 for the week with eight hits and six RBIs. On the mound, he was perfect through 4.0 innings of hitless baseball, striking out seven against Episcopal.

Owen Oliver - Grad Class: 2026 - 1B/3B - N/A

Performance: Oliver put together a massive week, slashing .700/.833/1.300 over five games with 8 RBIs. He hit a walk-off single on Saturday and threw a complete-game shutout on Monday.

Turner Ashby

Thomas Knight - Grad Class: 2027 - 1B/LHP - Rutgers

Performance: Knight hit .625 (5-for-8) this week with a home run and four RBIs.

Season to Date: Knight is currently batting .636 with a 1.000 slugging percentage. On the mound, he holds a 1.35 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 10.0 innings.

Mason Mantz - Grad Class: 2027 - Catcher

Performance: Mantz went 4-for-7 (.571) this week with two doubles and two triples.

Notes: Mantz serves as the leader of the pitching staff from behind the plate while maintaining his status as one of the team's top offensive threats, currently slugging 1.000.

Virginia Episcopal

Furio Carver - Grad Class: 2027 - 3B

Performance: Carver had a standout week, finishing 4-for-7 (.571) with a double, a triple, and a grand slam. He accounted for seven RBIs during the stretch.

Campbell Howard - Grad Class: 2026 - Pitcher

Performance: Howard pitched 5.0 innings against EC Glass, allowing zero runs on four hits while striking out five. He currently maintains a 0.62 ERA.

Walsingham Academy

Anthony Ferrie - Grad Class: 2026 - Catcher - Methodist

Performance: Ferrie had a productive week with nine RBIs and two home runs, including a grand slam against Stone Bridge. He also delivered a clutch two-out, two-RBI hit to tie the game against Western Branch.