The Aegis 2024 high school baseball preview: C. Milton Wright to lean on senior pitcher Tommy Cannavale and deep rotation
The emotion of a Class 3A state final run that fell one run of shy of celebration wore on the black paint under the eyes of C. Milton Wright’s baseball team last May. Collecting for a team photo in the right field grass, some forced a smile for the sake of a picture or remembering the ride there. Others wore the disappointment, neglecting a runner-up medal. Hair frayed and chins resting in palms, immortalizing dejection.
It was a season of self discovery for the Mustangs, who played their best baseball in May. They got a lights-out performance from pitcher Tommy Cannavale, who threw eight strikeouts allowing one run in the title game loss.
Cannavale returns as a senior with vengeance and a deep pitching rotation behind him. C. Milton Wright has a new coach in Rich DeNardi, who was an assistant with last year’s group and spent over a decade around the program.
The Mustangs are in line to be among the area’s best defense. Fallston and Patterson Mill should be in the mix as well.
Here’s a look around the area. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information):
Aberdeen
Coach: Bob Arnold, seventh season
2023: 9-11, regional finalist
Top returners: Seniors Sean Doron (OF), Ian Walton (IF), Tyler Kenney (P/IF), KJ Miller (IF/P), Jayden Saunders (C), Justin Simpers (P) and Danney France (OF); junior Jack Morrill (OF); sophomores Trevor Zakowsky (OF/P/IF) and Ayden Fleming (IF/C).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Conor Jones (IF).
Coach’s outlook: “We return eight starters and four of our top five pitchers. All our student-athletes have been working hard in the off-season and are ready to compete every day. Our experience from the last few years should help us reach the high goals the players have for themselves.”
Bel Air
Coach: Jon Andrews, fifth season
2023: 6-12, regional semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Ben Bowen (UTL),Brennan Deremeik (SS/P), Talan Johns (OF), Ethan Smedley (OF), Jorden Kozak (OF) and Ian Nitz (INF); juniors Cooper Rey (3B/P) and Camden Devine (1B).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Sean Ferrell (OF), Sean Roberts (INF) and Noah Shillman (INF).
Coach’s outlook: “This season the Bobcats look to rebound from a tough 2023 campaign. A group of strong upperclassmen leadership with some passionate newcomers, the Bobcats are ready to take the field and see what the future has to hold for them. They’re determined and hardworking, ready for the challenge of a difficult schedule.”
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Rich DeNardi, first season
2023: 18-6, Class 3A state finalist
Top returners: Seniors Tommy Cannavale (P/C), Chuck Thomas (P) and Gavin Miller (P); sophomores Brady Perry (P), Landon Melnick (P) and Bubba Tolson (P/OF).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Kevin Emerson (OF) and Ryan Herman (OF).
Coach’s outlook: “On paper, our pitching is as deep as it’s ever been. We should hit enough and play above average defense.”
Edgewood
Coach: Greg Rodenbaugh, eighth season
2023: 2-17
Top returners: Seniors Landon Miller (INF/P) and Elain Ortiz (INF/C); and sophomore Brian Guerrero (INF/OF/P).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Justin Padin (Util.) and Kayden Kuessner (Util.).
Coach’s outlook: “We will be very young this season and have a large number of underclassmen on varsity with new assistant coaches as well. My hope is to gain experience for the young men and have a fun and positive season for our seniors to look back on. We just want to be competitive and grow the program.”
Fallston
Coach: Grant Morlock, 11th season
2023: 17-4, state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Seniors Paul Kvech (RHP), Noah Bark (RHP), Drew Rommel (RHP), Nate Slicher (OF) and Drew Murphy (C).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Victor A Melo Velez (RHP), junior Josh Busler (IF) and sophomore Zach Loewe (IF).
Coach’s outlook: “We have high expectations and goals again for the 2024 season. Pitching and defense should be our strengths this year as we return some key pieces from the ’23 Chesapeake Division and 2A East Region championship team. All-Metro and All-County selection Paul Kvech should anchor the rotation again this year paired with fellow senior Noah Bark. I am excited about the opportunities that players new to the varsity level will face this year and we are looking forward to facing these challenges head on. The Chesapeake Division should be tough again this year as well as the 2A East with the addition of C. Milton Wright.”
Harford Tech
Coach: Paul Daniele, 16th Season
2023: 7-11
Top returners: Seniors Gavin Angelini (C), Brendan Coldiron (3B/P), Jensen Graf (OF), Ryan Hardisky (P/OF), Will Kerrigan (P/OF), Ben Kiedrowski (P/OF/1B), Ben Parsons (OF/P), Ethan Prevost (OF), Max Swart (SS/P) and Travis Volmar (OF/IN/C); and junior CJ Scism (P/OF/IN).
Key newcomers: Juniors Hunter Arnett (1B/P), Mason Robinson (OF/P), Tucker Underhill (OF), Ryan Walto (OF) and Santiago Wienhold (SS/P); sophomores Josh Hays (C/P), Aiden Sullivan (1B/P) and Zach Lane (2B).
Coach’s outlook: “We look to build on last season and understand that now being in 1A we will have to deal with perennial powerhouse Patterson Mill and a very talented Havre de Grace team. We have a solid mixture of returners and young talent. Our goal is to compete for a Susquehanna [Division] title and compete for a region and state title.”
Havre de Grace
Coach: Chad Blevins, 14th season
Last year: 15-5, regional champs
Top returners: Seniors Taylor Blevins (SS/RHP/C), Tyler Stwarka (C/Util.), Rhys Eder (2B), Logan Ward (1B), Dyllon Zachry Nance (OF/RHP), Wayne Hudson (OF/RHP), Mason Waller (3B/RHP), Brady Walker, (CF), Aiden Ignozzi (Util.), Frank Rogers (LHP/1B/DH) and Errol Hersh (OF/P); juniors Bryce Bauer (SS/RHP), AJ Rogers (INF/P) and Preston Blum (OF).
Coach’s outlook: “We will be playing in the upper division for the regular season and anticipate great competition. We look forward to the challenge and anticipate a season to remember.”
John Carroll
Coach: Darrion Siler, eighth season
2023: 14-12, 3rd place in MIAA A Conference playoffs
Top returners: Senior Aaron Snyder (RHP); juniors Will Rhine, (MIF/DH), Casey Carpenter (1B/3B), Dallas Brooks (C), Cameron Leach (C/3B/DH) and Brooks Mueller (RHP); sophomores Miguel Leon (INF/OF/UT), Joey Coudon (INF/RHP) and Pierce Quinn (RHP/OF/1B).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Luca Santoro (OF/UT), Hayden Niedzialkowski (OF) and Nic Stockson (OF/LHP); sophomore Brycen Altland (INF/RHP).
Coach’s outlook: “Patriots baseball will again be one of the most impressive offensive teams in the state, with batters one through nine having the ability to change a game with one swing. John Caroll returns a ton of players to varsity, all of whom have made big strides in the offseason. Pitchers Pierce Quinn, Aaron Snyder and Brooks Mueller all bring poise and pitchability to the mound, looking to keep opponents’ offenses silent. A young and very capable team, the Patriots look to contend for an A Conference title.”
Joppatowne
Coach: Justin Carrasco, third season
2023: 7-11
Top returners: Seniors Camren Tressler (P/1B), Max Owings (P/C/3B) and Daniel Rose (CF/P); and sophomore Tyler Stevens (SS/P).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Mason Rose (3B/P/C); freshmen Logan Savage (INF/P) and Anthony Harris (Util.).
Coach’s outlook: “Joppatowne’s 2023 campaign was another step in the right direction for the complete turn around for the baseball program. Seven wins was the most the team has had in a single season in 10 years. We are continuing to grow and just compete every single inning. We will lean heavily on the leadership of Max Owings and Camren Tressler. Max took a huge step forward last season with his pitching posting a 3.47 ERA and 47 strikeouts. Camren Tressler led the team last season with a .426 batting avg .531 On base percentage and a 1.062 OPS. We have established a new mindset and culture for the program. This season will be a fight for us as a team with low numbers but these guys have been establishing a no quit mindset that will go a long way for the program. With this being the third year with the team I have seen the change and I am very proud of what we have built so far.”
North Harford
Coach: Jeffrey Burrows, third season
Last year: 9-12, regional semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Alex Martinelli (C) and Wyatt Canapp (RHP/OF); juniors Matthew Hart (RHP/3B) and Jackson Armiger (SS); sophomore Collin Kight (RHP/1B/OF).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Tucker Deal (RHP/OF) and Jack Worden (OF).
Coach’s outlook: “We have a great mix of returning players and top talent coming up from JV that should have us competing for a regional title.”
Patterson Mill
Coach: Matt Roseland, 16th season
2023: 12-10
Top returners: Seniors Michael Hemelt (LHP/OF), Travis Loewe (RHP/SS), Chase Cichocki (2B/SS) and Aiden Myers (OF); junior Noah Thomas (LHP/1B); and sophomore Tre McInnes (C/OF/P).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Braden Beauchamp (OF/C) and John Teal (OF/P); freshmen Brycen Hunter (MIF/3B/P) and Mason Hemelt (P/OF).
Coach’s outlook: “We are very senior driven with seven seniors this season who will all have a chance to contribute, we also have one sophomore and four freshman competing for some time as well so we are looking to blend the old with new and see what we can put together. Our schedule is the hardest we have ever had. Our league is so strong and then we continue to seek challenges with Sherwood in a tournament and Westminster in our out of conference schedule. We are a 1A school that does not have cuts but continues to hold our own with some of the best teams across the state. It’s a tribute to the dedication and work ethic of our players and coaches.”