Smithsburg’s baseball team made quite the impression last spring. The Leopards posted a winning season, captured a region championship, and finished one win shy of a berth in the MPSSAA Class 1A title game.
The scary part, at least for the competition, is that coach Patrick Moore’s boys may be just getting started. The Leopards return a bulk of the talent from last spring, and should be among the teams to beat in all of 1A this season.
North Hagerstown lost a few more pieces than Smithsburg, but the Hubs are still optimistic they can still make a postseason run. South Hagerstown also brings back some talent and will be shooting for its first winning season since 2008.
The other four teams in the Local.News1 coverage area — Waynesboro, Greencastle-Antrim, Chambersburg, and Fairfield — all have significant graduation holes to patch in their respective lineups, but there’s no shortage of promising prospects ready to fill those gaps.
We’ll take a look at all of these squads in today’s high school baseball previews. In the days to come, we will continue unveiling our spring previews.
Below is a team-by-team preview for each of our area’s baseball squads:
Waynesboro Tribe
Coach: Travis Hardman
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: Waynesboro went 12-9 overall and 7-7 in the Colonial Division. The Tribe’s season came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Cedar Cliff in the first round of the District 3-6A Championships.
Top projected returners: John Kahl (Sr., SS/OF/P), Riley Eaton (Sr., RHP/Util), Ryan Jenkins (Sr., 3B), Nate Nystrom (Sr., LHP), Eric Knepper (Sr., C/OF), Jack Knepper (So., C/1B/3B/RHP)
Meet the Tribe: Travis Hardman is back for his sixth year as head coach and will need to put in some work to patch up heavy graduation holes … Bryan Benedict, who batted .350 with a triple and a home run on his way to a Third Team selection on the All-Colonial team is gone, has departed, as has Blake Daywalt, Brett Powell, Ethan Hotchkiss, Gunner Shifflett, Bryan Alford, and Brody Daywalt … Waynesboro will be looking to make a solid transition under the leadership of Colonial All-Stars John Kahl (1st Team) and Riley Eaton (2nd) … Kahl, a senior, looks to once again be the ace of the pitching staff after piling up 58 innings with a 1.21 ERA and 47 strikeouts … Eaton will be counted on to set the tone at the plate after batting .354 with four doubles and 10 stolen bases last spring … Eric Knepper (4 doubles, 1 triple) and Ryan Jenkins (home run) both return some valuable varsity experience, as does pitcher Jack Knepper (2.21 ERA) … Waynesboro’s baseball program has won three District 3 championships, with the most recent title coming in 1994.
Opener: Monday, March 16, at home vs. East Pennsboro
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Eric Shaner
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: Greencastle-Antrim went 10-9 overall and 7-7 in the Colonial. The Blue Devils qualified for the District 3-5A Championships, where they were eliminated in the first round with a 9-2 loss to Lampeter-Strasburg.
Top projected returners: Avery Horst (Sr., RHP/OF), Jaxson Bostick (Jr., 1B/OF/LHP), Ryder Linn (Jr., LHP), Andrew Timmons (Sr.), Nolan Sullivan (Jr., OF/RHP), Andrew Weaver (Jr., RHP/2B/OF/SS), Landon Myers (So., SS/3B/RHP), Cam Rakaczewski (So., SS/RHP/2B), Avery Horst (Sr., RHP/OF), Manny Brookens (Jr., RHP/1B/3B/OF), Bryce Davidson (Jr., SS), Bo Brookens (Sr., OF/RHP), Mason Mellott (Sr., 3B), Ryder Martinez (Jr., RHP/C), Ryder Linn (Jr., LHP/OF), Collin Flynn (Jr., C/1B/3B/OF)
Meet the Blue Devils: Long-time head coach Eric Shaner will have his work cut out for him trying to retool a pitching staff that graduated three hurlers who combined for more than 75 innings … Included in that group of graduates is Carter McCauley, a Colonial First Teamer who worked 45 1/3 innings for 44 strikeouts and a 2.01 ERA … Also departed from the pitching staff are Ben Horst (21 innings, 2.33 ERA) and Cam Niland (9 1/3 innings, 3.75 ERA) … Look for the Blue Devils to lean heavily on junior southpaw Jaxson Bostic, who struck out 30 batters over 24 2/3 innings and posted a 3.41 ERA … Bostic will lead a young pitching staff that includes Avery Horst (9 1/3 innings, 12 strikeouts), Ryder Linn (6 innings, 3.50 ERA), and Manny Brookens (6 innings, 4.67 ERA) … Even with the graduation of Colonial Second Teamer Elvin Robles (.453, 15 runs, 19 RBI), the Blue Devils should have enough pop at the plate to keep the team afloat while the pitching staff learns the ropes … Junior Nolan Sullivan, a Second Team All-Colonial selection, looks to once again mash after batting .367 with 16 runs, 16 RBI, and five stolen bases … He is projected to be joined in the batting lineup by Andrew Weaver (.298), Landon Myers (.292, 15 RBI), Cam Rakaczewski (.290), Avery Horst (.264), Brookens (.238), and Bostic (.231).
Opener: Wednesday, March 18, at Delone Catholic
Chambersburg Trojans
Coach: Scott Folmar
Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth
Last season: The Trojans played to a 5-13 record, which included a 3-11 mark in the Commonwealth Division.
Top projected returners: Aaron Vasquez (Sr., 2B), Ceagan Truett (Sr., OF/C), Ryne Mills (Sr., RHP/SS/OF), Brady Truett (Jr., RHP), Brycen Murray (Sr., OF)
Meet the Trojans: Chambersburg fans are hoping that this is the year that the Trojans — a proud baseball program that has won more District 3 titles (11) than any other — can post their first winning season since 2018 … Coach Scott Folmar’s crew will be pursuing this goal with a lineup that graduated several key players, including Evan Brown (OF), Wyatt Martin (OF/RHP), Kadyn McMullen (1B/P), and Tyler Foreman (3B) … The losses especially sting on the pitcher’s mound with the departure of Martin (18 innings, 2.72 ERA) and McMullen (21 1/3 innings, 2.95 ERA) … Look for Chambersburg to rally behind the bat and arm of senior leader Ryne Mills, who was an All-Commonwealth Honorable Mention selection last season. Mills batted .347 with two doubles, one home run, 12 runs, six RBI, and three stolen bases, and pitched 43 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.92 ERA and 46 strikeouts … Mills will do the heavy lifting as the Trojans develop a few more arms for their young pitching staff … Offense will come at a premium in the Commonwealth, but Chambersburg will try to scratch out runs with a lineup that includes returners Aaron Vasquez (.286), Ceagan Truett (.204), Brady Truett (.167), and Brycen Murray (.143) … After missing last season due to injury, Hayden Lyons is healthy and ready to contribute alongside a group of newcomers that include Aiden Appleby, Konner McMullen, Cam Wadel, and Bryce Deneen.
Coach’s comments: Folmar said, “We have a handful of guys with a lot of varsity experience in certain positions. We will depend on some newcomers to give us quality innings on the mound, and defense should be a key to our success. Our offense will come down to manufacturing runs any way possible. We may have to play small ball to do that with bunting, stealing, and hit and run.”
Opener: Tuesday, March 17, at James Buchanan
Fairfield Knights
Coach: Steve Bell
Division: YAIAA IV
Last season: The Knights went 4-16 overall and 3-11 in YAIAA IV.
Top projected returners: Eddie Eichenlaub (Sr., C), Vaughn Lewis (Sr., SS/P), Jacob Liller (Sr., OF/P), Mike Petrakos (Jr., OF), Layton Wilhide (Jr., OF), Jacob Brent (So., 3B), Brady Cahill (Jr., 3B), Riley Brown (Jr., 2B), Aden Frank (So., C/P), Austin Littleton (Jr., 3B), Chase Clapsadl (Jr., P), Trent Sewell (So., OF)
Meet the Knights: After three-straight losing seasons, Fairfield would like nothing more than to get back on a winning track this spring … Doing so will be easier said than done, however, especially with the graduation of a talented senior class that included YAIAA First Teamer and All-State selection Jayden Bell, who batted .422 with nine extra-base hits and pitched 40 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.43 ERA with 61 strikeouts … While Bell leaves the biggest hole in the lineup, the Knights will also have to find a way to replace the likes of Stephen Higgs (.273) and Gavin Cramer (.229) … Senior Eddie Eichenlaub, a YAIAA IV Honorable Mention selection at catcher who batted .308 with three doubles and a home run, is no longer on the team … The void at catcher leaves the door open for Cole Gillespie, a freshman, to see some reps this spring … Aden Frank, a sophomore, is projected to return to the mound after working 21 1/3 innings for a 3.28 ERA last year … Senior Vaughn Lewis should also be a starter this season after throwing 20 innings and posting a 3.85 ERA with 24 strikeouts … Four others return significant high school pitching experience, including Jacob Liller (8 2/3 innings, 14 strikeouts), Chase Clapsadl (7 innings, 5.00 ERA), Riley Rbown (7 innings, 4.00 ERA), and Layton Wilhide (5 1/3 innings, 4 strikeouts) … Haden Hicks is a newcomer who brings a wealth of travel ball experience as a utility player and should help Fairfield with his middle infield glove and as a pitcher … Alex Sherman is a player to watch, as coach Bell says he is one of the hardest workers he’s coached … If all goes according to plan, Fairfield could have a chance at its first winning campaign since 2022.
Coach’s comments: Bell said, “We should be pretty competitive. We have a young team, so we may struggle at times offensively, but our pitching should be a strength. One player to watch is Jacob Liller, who hasn’t pitched much before but is now throwing around 90 mph after putting in a lot of work during the offseason.”
Opener: Monday, March 17, at home vs. York Suburban
North Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Justin Lewis
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Last season: North Hagerstown went 16-5, with the Hubs wrapping up play with a 3-1 loss to Oakdale in the Class 3A West I Region Semifinals.
Top projected returners: James Ortiz (Sr., SS/RHP), Jackson Coulter (Sr., 3B/RHP), Joey Dorsey (Sr., OF/LHP), Matt Mallardi (Sr., OF), Blake Custer (Sr., 1B), Eli Brown (Sr., 2B), Cole Bratburd (Sr., C), Jordan Gingerich (Jr., RHP/OF), Grant Semler (Sr., LHP/1B)
Meet the Hubs: North Hagerstown is dealing with its fair share of graduation losses this spring, but the squad returns enough talent to potentially make a run at an 11th regional championship … The Hubs will be without the services of Ian Kelley, who starred both at the plate (12 extra-base hits, 20 RBI) and on the mound (1.18 ERA, 50 strikeouts), as well as Colt Tucker (.351, 6 doubles), Henry Lewis, Carter Cunningham, and Logan Hoffman … Look for senior pitchers Joey Dorsey (LHP) and Jackson Coulter (RHP) to hold down the fort, while their team gels with a new-look lineup … Dorsey won five games in 28 innings of work, while Coulter also stacked up five wins and posted a 1.75 ERA with 35 strikeouts … Grant Semler, a 6-foot-3 southpaw pitcher, should get his fair share of mound time while Jordan Gingerich, a junior right-hander, could provide depth on the back end of North’s pitching rotation … Offensively, expect the Hubs to be led by Blake Custer (.353, 5 doubles, 1 triple), Dorsey (.322), James Ortiz (5 doubles, 20 runs, 8 stolen bases), and Matthew Mallardi (4 doubles, 19 runs, 17 RBI) … North, which owns five Maryland state championships, will be aiming for a return to the region final for the third time in four seasons.
Opener: Friday, March 20, at home vs. Boonsboro
South Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Keith Hutzell
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Last season: South Hagerstown played to a 6-15 record, with its season ending with a 5-3 loss to Oakdale in the Class 3A West I Region Quarterfinals.
Top projected returners: Derek Kline (Sr., OF), Tyson Mangold (So., P), JK Rosario (Sr., 2B), Luke Leisinger (Sr., C), Shawn Higgins (Sr., SS/P), Braydon Ocasio (So., OF), Grant Louchery (So., OF), Ryan Ragland (Jr., DH), RJ Liriano (Sr., 2B), Logan Hammond (Sr., 1B), Ethan Shephard (Sr., 3B), Micah Rivera (Sr., 3B), RJ Howett (Sr., OF)
Meet the Rebels: South Hagerstown is set for its 69th season on the baseball diamond, and the squad has all the pieces necessary to pursue its first winning season since 2008 … The Rebels, who won MPSSAA state titles in 1996 and 2003, will be aiming to get back on track this season under the direction of new skipper Keith Hutzell, who was hired as the team’s 15th head coach in July … Hutzell, who earned All-County honors as a player for North Hagerstown in 2000, will steer the ship for South as it navigates the transition from Class 3A to 4A this spring … Excitement is high for the Rebels, who return a majority of the talent from last year’s team … South Hagerstown’s top returner is senior outfielder Derek Kline, a Frederick Community College recruit who led the Local.News1 coverage area in batting average (.458) last season, while also compiling eight doubles, one triple, three home runs, 23 runs, and 12 stolen bases … Kline will be the headliner for a Rebels outfield that is also projected to return Braydon Ocasio, Grant Louchery, and RJ Howett … South Hagerstown’s infield is also projected to remain intact with the return of RJ Liriano, Shawn Higgins, Ethan Shephard, and Logan Hammond … Look for senior catcher Luke Leisinger to take on a leadership role with an experienced pitching staff that includes Tyson Mangold (37 innings, 2 wins), Higgins, Ocasio, Liriano, Kline, and Louchery … Those pitchers will have to pick up the slack left from the graduation of Cam Kelley, who struck out 34 batters in 28 innings last spring.
Opener: Friday, March 20, at home vs. Grace Academy
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: Patrick Moore
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Last season: Smithsburg went 15-9 and steamrolled its way to a Class 1A West Region title. The Leopards’ postseason run continued until the MPSSAA 1A Semifinals, when they were eliminated with a 6-3 loss to Allegany.
Top projected returners: Ryan Darr (Sr., C/2B), Mason Oates (Sr., 1B/LHP), Heath Githens (Sr., RHP), Jaxon Teson (Jr., OF/RHP), George Mantz (Jr., 1B), Collin Burras (Jr., C), Chase Sarber (Sr., SS/2B, RHP), Gavin Ramarge (Sr., 3B/RHP), Demari Whittaker (Sr., OF), Isaiah Burger (Sr., SS/RHP)
Meet the Leopards: With a wealth of returning talent, Smithsburg should be among the 1A teams to beat in Maryland this season … Run production shouldn’t be an issue for the Leopards, who are projected to return seven players who batted over .300 last spring … Leading that group is Mason Oates, a West Virginia Wesleyan recruit who batted .346 (27 for 78) with three doubles, a home run, 21 runs, and 22 RBI last season … Heath Githens (.345, 5 extra-base hits, 20 runs, 15 RBI, 13 stolen bases) and George Mantz (.333, 5 extra-base hits, 16 runs, 21 RBI) will be counted on to keep the Smithsburg lineup rolling, as will Jaxon Teson (.333, 3 doubles, 15 runs, 12 RBI) and Chase Sarber (.304, 5 doubles, 21 runs, 18 RBI, 14 stolen bases) … The more runners the Leopards can put on base, the better for Gavin Ramarge (.275), a big bopper who blasted off for five doubles and five home runs last spring … Look for Ryan Darr (.368) and Collin Burras (.308) to see an uptick in playing time after making the most of part-time reps last year … As strong as the Leopards might be while wielding a bat, they might be even scarier on the mound, where they are projected to return all five of their top pitchers, a group that piled up 125 innings of work in 2025 … Githens (2.97 ERA, 31 strikeouts) and Ramage (3.95 ERA, 28 strikeouts) will do much of the heavy lifting this spring, while Sarber (4.03 ERA, 25 strikeouts), Mantz (4.27 ERA, 22 strikeouts), and Burras (17 strikouts) will also get their fair share of mound time … To get off and running this season, Smithsburg will need to plug holes left by the graduation of Lucas McFarland, Mythius Smith, Owen McFarland, Garrett Gibson, and the speedy Eli Bowman, who batted .367 and stole 32 bases.
Opener: Wednesday, March 11, at home vs. Oakdale
