On Tuesday evening, the program took a step in the right direction.

With an auditorium filled with prospective baseball players and their parents in attendance, Kempsville’s administration took the first step in healing when they introduced Luke Stice as the program’s new coach. He replaces John Penn, who is no longer with the school.

Kempsville student activities coordinator Zach Wolff, who got the job in June, knew changing coaches was going to be his first major decision.

“I knew this was something that we had to do,” he said. “We took our time with it because we knew we wanted to get the decision right. That was more important than anything else, is making sure we made the right decision. And the selection committee, we are very confident that we did. We’re real happy to have Coach Stice.”

What sold Wolff on Stice was how he addressed the issues head-on and didn’t waver, unlike others.

“I knew we had to find the right person to meet the moment,” Wolff said. “We needed a person to rebuild the culture to lead the program through a process of rebuilding trust with the community, the school and with each other.”

Stice, who was the Chiefs’ head junior-varsity coach the past two seasons, said he knew addressing the issue was the only way.

“Just being first-hand in the situation and seeing the impact that it had on the boys really drove me to say, ‘This is really screwed up,'” he said. “I just kept communicating with them the whole time, keeping that door of communication open with them and letting them know that I’m here for them.

“The players on the JV team also faced some challenges to deal with once the news came out. I knew from that moment, if anything changes (regarding a coaching opening), I will be the man for this job.”

Kempsville pitcher/outfielder TJ Davis was on hand for the introduction. Davis, who is Black, said he believes in Stice, who is white.

“I’m very excited to see what he brings to the team and how he creates bonds with all the players and brings us together,” said Davis, a rising senior. “I feel like he really wants for the program to do better.”

Kempsville principal Melissa George said the committee made the right decision with the hiring of Stice.

“It’s like a weight lifted off because I know there is someone I can trust that’s going to come in and have the best interest of this team,” she said. “He said he wants to heal the team and build culture. The wins will come after that.”

Stice is ready for the challenge, but he knows it will take time.

“I’m not going to put a timeline on it. It could be a year, it could be five years. I don’t know how long it will take,” he said. “But with (the administration’s) support, I know we’ll get the culture right.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

Anderson, a University of Virginia catcher, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the second round (61st overall).

In four seasons with UVA, Anderson finished among the top 10 in program history in doubles (third with 58), home runs (tied for seventh with 28) and total bases (10th with 373).

During his senior season, Anderson was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at utility, starting at catcher, first base and designated hitter. He started all 63 games and batted .331 with 67 runs, 20 doubles, eight home runs and 40 RBIs.

Anderson also set the UVA single-season record for doubles with 26 as a sophomore.

MLB.com valued Anderson’s pick at $1.42 million.

Anderson’s path to the major leagues could lead him close to home — the Norfolk Tides are the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate.

Anderson was the second UVA player to be selected Sunday by Baltimore, which picked shortstop Griff O’Ferrall 32nd overall.

O’Ferrall, of Richmond, started every game at shortstop during his three seasons and is second in UVA history in runs (196), fourth in career hits (270) and ninth with a .344 career batting average. As a senior, he won the Brooks Wallace Award as the country’s best shortstop and won a Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

O’Ferrall was a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick after the first round. MLB.com valued O’Ferrall’s pick at $2.84 million.

Griffin Burkholder, an outfielder out of Freedom High in Woodbridge, was taken 63rd overall by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana was taken by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 1 pick, and three players from Wake Forest were selected in the top 10.

A former cricket, rugby and soccer player who came to the United States to play baseball for Oregon State, the 21-year-old Bazzana hit .407 with 28 homers and 66 RBIs this season. He became the first Australian and first second baseman taken No. 1.

Wake Forest right-handed pitcher Chase Burns went second to Cincinnati, while Demon Deacons first baseman Nick Kurtz was the fourth pick for Oakland and Wake third baseman/outfielder Seaver King 10th for Washington.

Area picks go early on second day

Monday’s drafting began with the third round, but the fourth round was particularly notable for area fans.

The Miami Marlins took James Madison star outfielder Fenwick Trimble, a Cox High graduate, with the 122nd pick. Virginia Tech infielder Carson DeMartini, from Ocean Lakes High, went to the Philadelphia Phillies with the 130th selection.

Also in that round, UVA outfielder Casey Saucke went to the Chicago White Sox with pick 107, and the Tampa Bay Rays selected William & Mary pitcher Nate Knowles with the 124th pick.

The first Old Dominion player chosen was pitcher John Holobetz, whom the Milwaukee Brewers grabbed in the fifth round with the 156th pick.

The Tribe added two more picks late in Monday’s action, with the Arizona Diamondbacks selecting left-hander Travis Garnett with pick 254, in the eighth round, and the New York Yankees choosing W&M outfielder Joe Delossantos in the 10th round with the 301st choice.

Choices with state ties

Player Promotion Incentive round

32. Baltimore, Griff O’Ferrall, SS, UVA (St. Christopher’s).

Second round

61. Baltimore, Ethan Anderson, C, UVA (Cox High).

Fourth round

107. Chicago White Sox, Casey Saucke, OF, UVA.

122. Miami, Fenwick Trimble, OF, James Madison (Cox HS).

124. Tampa Bay, Nate Knowles, RHP, William & Mary.

130. Philadelphia, Carson DeMartini, SS, Virginia Tech (Ocean Lakes HS).

Fifth round

156. Milwaukee, John Holobetz, RHP, Old Dominion.

163. Houston, Cole Hertzler, RHP, Liberty.

Sixth round

180. Colorado, Konner Eaton, LHP, George Mason.

195. Texas, Garrett Horn, LHP, Liberty.

Seventh round

211. N.Y. Yankees, Wyatt Parliament, RHP, Virginia Tech.

Eighth round

243. Seattle, Will Riley, RHP, VMI.

247. Toronto, Eddie Micheletti Jr., OF, Virginia Tech.

254. Arizona, Travis Garnett, LHP, William & Mary.

10th round

301. N.Y. Yankees, Joe Delossantos, OF, William & Mary.

11th round

343. Houston, Jason Schiavone, C, James Madison.

12th round

371. Atlanta, Cayman Goode, RHP, Douglas Freeman HS.

13th round

389. Cincinnati, Anthony Stephan, OF, UVA.

393. Seattle, Brandon Eike, 3B, VCU (Powhatan HS).

14th round

425. Milwaukee, James Nunnallee, C, Lightridge HS.

15th round

449. Cincinnati, Jordan Little, RHP, Virginia Tech.

16th round

474. Pittsburgh, Brian Curley, RHP, VCU (Trinity Episcopal).

482. Chicago Cubs, Christian Gordon, LHP, VCU (Liberty Christian Academy and Liberty University).

18th round

531. St. Louis, Christian Martin, SS, Virginia Tech (Amherst County HS).

547. Toronto, Holden Wilkerson, RHP, VMI (Cave Spring HS).

552. Philadelphia, Kevin Warunek, LHP, Longwood (Patriot HS).

19th round

564. Pittsburgh, Joe Vogatsky, RHP, James Madison (Kettle Run HS).

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

The team did well as it reached the finals of the Triple Crown World Series.

But when the team returned to Hampton Roads, DeMartini decided to take his players to another coach.

For many coaches, they would never do this. DeMartini didn’t let his ego get in the way.

He contacted Lee Banks, who has been a prominent figure in elite showcase baseball in Hampton Roads for more than 25 years.

He’s coached many of the elite baseball players who have come through Hampton Roads and helped produce many college and Major League Baseball draft picks, including Michael Cuddyer, Jason Dubois, David Wright, BJ Upton, Justin Upton, Ryan Zimmerman and Mark Reynolds.

“I knew I had a special group on my hands, and that’s why I took them to Lee,” DeMartini said about Banks, who also is an assistant baseball coach at Grassfield High. “I trusted Lee. I knew the group of guys that I was bringing to Lee, that he was going to have their best interest at heart.”

DeMartini was right as that team enjoyed much success, including finishing runner-up at the 2020 PBR World Series.

Many of those players, including DeMartini’s son, Carson, went on to play Division I baseball.

And this weekend, some of those same players, including Carson, could hear their name called when the Major League Baseball draft begins Sunday night and ends Tuesday.

“That three-year run of that Tidewater Orioles team had 15 Division I players, and a slew of Division III players,” Tommy DeMartini said. “I think off that team, you’re going to probably have five players get drafted.”

DeMartini remembers that special group of players with Cuddyer (ninth overall pick in 1997, two-time All-Star), Wright (first round in 2001, seven-time All-Star), BJ Upton (second overall pick in 2002), Reynolds (16th round in 2004), Justin Upton (first overall pick in 2005, four-time All-Star) and Zimmerman (fourth overall pick in 2005, two-time All-Star)

“I was fairly new in the coaching scene with coach (Pete) Zell at Salem High School during those years,” he said. “We coached against David and the Uptons, and Zimmerman, and all of those guys. It was a very impressive group of ballplayers back in that time. And it was fun to watch and to follow their careers.”

He thinks this year’s group could be special, too.

“I feel like this is a similar-looking group,” he said. “And it’s going to be interesting to see how these guys pan out as opposed to that group, who were major league All-Stars and had incredible careers. You have a very talented group coming through again.”

Carson DeMartini is rated the No. 93 prospect by MLB.com. The former Ocean Lakes star went to Virginia Tech, and scouts like his power as a “compact and strong left-handed hitter.”

He showed his power during one week this season, when he blasted seven home runs with 11 RBIs and 10 runs. He was named ACC Player of the Week and National Player of the Week by D1Baseball.

For the season, he batted .269 with 21 homers, 57 RBIs and 62 runs.

Tommy DeMartini has prepared his son for this moment, both on the field and off.

“I’ve been heavily involved in his development and watching him grow throughout the years. It’s getting to the point where reality is setting in,” he said. “But I’ve told him now it’s out of his control. The hay is in the barn, as they might say. Regardless of where he lands in the draft, the next big thing is how he performs. It’s about to be a lifetime achievement of his, to become a professional baseball player.”

Ethan Anderson, who starred at Cox High and Virginia, is rated the No. 78 prospect by MLB.com. A switch-hitting catcher and first baseman, he hit .331 this season for the Cavaliers with eight home runs, 40 RBIs and 67 runs.

Outfielder Harrison Didawick is rated the No. 125 prospect by MLB.com. The former Western Branch High star tied Virginia’s single-season record for home runs with 23. He also batted .292 with 68 RBIs and 78 runs.

Other locals who could hear their name called are infielder/outfielder Fenwick Trimble (Cox/James Madison), outfielder Kennedy Jones (Maury/UNC Greensboro/South Carolina), outfielder Cameron Pittman (Nansemond River/Radford/Virginia Tech), pitcher Ethan Firoved (First Colonial/Pittsburgh), pitcher Nathan Hawley (Cox/Virginia Military Institute) and pitcher Dawson Newman (Great Bridge/Coastal Carolina).

Another player from that Tidewater Orioles team who already got drafted was pitcher Blake Dickerson. The former Ocean Lakes standout was a 12th-round selection of the San Diego Padres last year. Earlier this year, the Padres traded him to the Detroit Tigers. He is currently pitching with the Florida Complex League Tigers, who are a rookie-level affiliate for Detroit.

The DeMartinis anxiously await Carson’s fate, hoping he will be drafted on the first day.

“It’s a little bit nostalgic and a little bit emotional just knowing that all of his hard work is about to pay off,” his father said. “He and his mother and I will be watching the draft Sunday night. Hopefully, we don’t have to watch it on Monday.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

Katz, 20, will work as an umpire at Nationals Park in Washington, when the Savannah Bananas play the Firefighters — one of two teams that tour with the Bananas — in front of a sellout crowd of more than 41,000. In June, he was the outfield umpire at a Bananas game in front of a sellout at Fenway Park in Boston.

“I got to sign the Green Monster at Fenway,” he said. “That was a big thrill.”

The Bananas and Katz are a perfect fit. The Bananas are selling out more than 80 games a year, many at Major League parks, because of their entertaining baseball high jinks made famous by viral TikTok videos. Savannah is scheduled to make appearances Aug. 16-18 at Harbor Park. All those games have already been listed as sellouts.

Katz has gained a foothold in the umpiring world, and is increasing employment as an umpire, because of the popularity of his online “Umpire Channel.” The Umpire Channel, which Katz founded the week of his graduation from Jamestown in June 2022, bills itself as “the  largest source for umpire related content in the world.”

In just two years, it has truly become so.

Katz — a marketing major about to enter his third year on a presidential scholarship at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts — has more than 200,000 followers across five platforms, including 118,000 on TikTok. His videos about all things umpire-related have generated more than 100 million views.

While those numbers are impressive, and attracting increasing sponsorship, they pale in comparison to the Bananas, who boast more than 6 million online followers. That’s more, Katz says, than any MLB team.

The reason is because of the zany brand of baseball the Bananas offer. They play genuinely competitive games against opponents Firefighters and Party Animals, but amid a far wackier atmosphere than when they were in the Coastal Plain League (2016-22), playing college summer ball against the likes of the Peninsula Pilots.

Now a professional team of mostly former minor leaguers, the Bananas offer off-the-charts entertainment along with real baseball. For instance, the players will often pause to do choreographed dance numbers together before and even during innings.

The Bananas specialize in trick plays, such as backflip and behind-the-back or through-the-leg catches and throws. While all the Bananas wear bright yellow uniforms, one player — a base-stealing specialist — supplements his with a purple and yellow cape, while a pitcher nicknamed “Cowboy” sports a cowboy hat.

The games are fast, with two-hour time limits, and it is not uncommon to see a pitcher wind up and throw in virtually the same motion as he gets the ball from the catcher. Among the different rules, a batter can “steal” first base on a passed ball or wild pitch, but is out if he fouls the ball into the stands and it is caught on the fly by a fan.

Players interact often with the fans and so do umpires. A home-plate umpire at a Bananas game will do a dance when a batter strikes out and it is considered part of the show.

“We are encouraged to have fun with the calls, interact with the fans and give autographs,” Katz said.

Katz was offered a tryout as an umpire with the Bananas prior to the 2023 season, when he filmed the team during spring training for the Umpire Channel. An umpire since he was 16, Katz began working college summer league games in Virginia when he was 18, so he was experienced enough to pass the Bananas tryout with flying colors.

In addition to Fenway Park, he also worked a game earlier this season at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros.

“Roger Clemens was at the game at Minute Maid and he said it was louder than any Major League game he’d ever heard,” Katz said. “The fans are really into it.”

Katz is seemingly handling his chores umpiring in the big time without difficulty. Players in Bananas games are allowed to challenge calls, and Katz said when his “out” call on the bases was challenged at Fenway, it was not overturned by TV replay.

Katz doesn’t know whether or not he’ll call a Bananas game in Norfolk next month because he might be back at college. While he’d love to work a professional game close to Williamsburg, he is excited about being on the field this week at the home of the Washington Nationals

“Growing up in Williamsburg, Nationals Park is one of those places I would go to games and where I fell in love with baseball,” he said. “I never imagined I’d ever be on the field there.”

Marty O’Brien, mjobrien@dailypress.com

The numbers

(listed with jersey number, name: position, level, team, organization)

BATTERS

6 Kyle Battle: OF, High-A, Hudson Valley, Yankees; 21 games, .174 batting average (8 for 46), 14 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .620 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage). Released June 10.

11 Justice Bigbie: LF, AAA, Toledo, Tigers; 75 games, .253 (67 for 257), 34 R, 3 HR, 28 RBI, .738 OPS.

11 Jake Cave: OF, MLB, Colorado, Rockies; 67 games, .257 (39 for 152), 21 R, 1 HR, 16 RBI, .656 OPS.

22 Matt Coutney: 1B, High-A, Tri-City, Angels; 75 games, .277 (75 for 271), 41 R, 6 HR, 34 RBI, .783 OPS.

29 Hunter Fitz-Gerald: 3B, High-A, Everett, Mariners; 38 games, .259 (35 for 135), 12 R, 3 HR, 16 RBI, .734 OPS.

9 Andy Garriola: LF, A, Myrtle Beach, Cubs; 69 games, .241 (63 for 261), 38 R, 14 HR, 50 RBI, .763 OPS.

16 P.J. Higgins: C, AAA, Louisville, Reds; 75 games, .260 (75 for 288), 30 R, 7 HR, 35 RBI, .725 OPS.

27 Andre Lipcius: 2B, AAA, Oklahoma City, Dodgers; 79 games, .287 (93 for 324), 57 R, 18 HR, 62 RBI, .875 OPS.

8 Brandon Lowe: 2B/OF, MLB, Tampa Bay, Rays; 40 games, .229 (30 for 131), 23 R, 8 HR, 25 RBI, .810 OPS.

30 Nathaniel Lowe: 1B, MLB, Texas, Rangers; 66 games, .270 (62 for 230), 29 R, 6 HR, 33 RBI, .748 OPS.

9 Vinnie Pasquantino: 1B, MLB, Kansas City, Royals; 85 games, .247 (75 for 304), 39 R, 10 HR, 58 RBI, .746 OPS.

49 Chase Pinder: CF, AAA, Sacramento, Giants; 20 games, .250 (16 for 64), 8 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .744 OPS. On the 60-day injured list.

3 Chris Taylor: IF, MLB, Los Angeles, Dodgers; 50 games, .160 (19 for 119), 13 R, 2 HR, 12 RBI, .506 OPS.

6 Bryce Windham: C, AAA, Iowa, Cubs; 54 games, .239 (42 for 176), 20 R, 1 HR, 18 RBI, .679 OPS.

14 Ben Williamson: 3B, AA, Arkansas, Mariners; 40 games, .264 (39 for 148), 20 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .698 OPS; promoted May 15 from High-A Everett, where he had stats of 29 games, .315 (35 for 111), 16 R, 1 HR, 21 RBI, .867 OPS.

28 Alsander Womack: 2B, AA, Birmingham, White Sox; 34 games, .242 (24 for 99), 19 R, 1 HR, 10 RBI, .605 OPS.

32 Jared Young: 1B, AAA, Memphis, Cardinals; 66 games, .262 (54 for 206), 39 R, 10 HR, 30 RBI, .875 OPS.

PITCHERS

38 Sam Armstrong: High-A, South Bend, Cubs; 16 G (10 starts), 3-3, 2.76 ERA, 62 IP, 50 H, 19 BB, 64 K.

29 Noah Dean: A, Salem, Red Sox; 13 G (11 starts), 2-2, 3.38 ERA, 53 1/3 IP, 24 H, 27 BB, 73 K.

24 Blake Dickerson: Rookie, Florida Complex League, Tigers; 9 G (5 starts), 0-0, 2.91 ERA, 21 2/3 IP, 11 H, 13 BB, 18 K.

37 Graham Firoved: High-A, Aberdeen, Orioles; 24 G (0 starts), 0-5, 5.97 ERA, 31 2/3, 29 H, 27 BB, 32 K.

31 Trey Gibson: A, Delmarva, Orioles; 15 G (8 starts), 1-5, 3.66 ERA, 51 2/3 IP, 41 H, 23 BB, 75 K.

32 Hunter Gregory: AA, New Hampshire, Blue Jays; 25 G (0 starts), 4-3, 5.63 ERA, 46 1/3 IP, 47 H, 21 BB, 59 K.

38 Josh Grosz: A, Tampa, Yankees: 12 G (11 starts), 2-5, 5.24 ERA, 56 2/3 IP, 60 H, 24 BB, 74 K. At High A and AA, combined 0-2 in 2 starts, 7 1/3 IP, 12 H, 9 BB, 6 K.

40 Daniel Hudson: MLB, Los Angeles, Dodgers; 35 G (0 starts), 5-1, 1.82 ERA, 34 2/3 IP, 24 H, 4 BB, 38 K.

41 Daniel Lynch IV: AAA, Omaha, Royals; 13 G (13 starts), 5-0, 4.39 ERA, 69 2/3 IP, 77 H, 19 BB, 35 K. With MLB Kansas City, 5 G (3 starts), 0-0, 6.35 ERA, 22 2/3 IP, 20 H, 8 BB, 15 K.

56 Alex Mauricio: AAA, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Yankees; 15 G (0 starts), 2-0, 1.03 ERA, 26 1/3 IP, 19 H, 10 BB, 30 K. Also pitched 1 scoreless, hitless inning for AA Somerset in April.

71 Connor Overton: AAA, Louisville, Reds; on the 7-day injured list. On rehab assignment in Rookie league, 3 G (3 starts), 0-0, 6.00 ERA, 3 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K.

60 Colin Selby: AAA, Omaha, Royals; 18 G (0 starts), 2-2, 5.85 ERA, 20 IP, 16 H, 8 BB, 26 K. With MLB Kansas City, 2 G (0 starts), 0-0, 6.00 ERA, 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 K. Traded April 7 from Pittsburgh; with AAA Indianapolis, 2 G (0 starts), 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 2 K.

51 Garrett Stallings: AAA, Nashville, Brewers; 6 G (4 starts), 0-0, 6.23 ERA, 21 2/3 IP, 23 H, 11 BB, 20 K. Traded by Baltimore to Milwaukee on May 25. With AAA Norfolk, 11 G (4 starts), 0-1, 5.67 ERA, 27 IP, 31 H, 13 BB, 25 K.

35 Justin Verlander: MLB, Houston, Astros; 10 G (10 starts), 3-2, 3.95 ERA, 57 IP, 52 H, 17 BB, 51 K. On the 15-day injured list.

45 Cory Wall: High-A, Rome, Braves; 16 G (5 starts), 2-2, 3.27 ERA, 41 1/3 IP, 42 H, 13 BB, 43 K. Promoted from Class-A Augusta on May 27. With Augusta, 1 G (0 starts), 0-0, 3.00 ERA, 3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K.

56 Ryan Yarbrough: MLB, Los Angeles, Dodgers; 24 G (0 starts), 3-2, 3.27 ERA, 55 IP, 38 H, 18 BB, 27 K.

Where they’re from

BATTERS

Kyle Battle: Glen Allen High, Old Dominion.

Justice Bigbie: Chesapeake (Grassfield High), Western Carolina.

Jake Cave: Hampton (Kecoughtan High and Hampton Christian Academy), Peninsula Pilots.

Matt Coutney: Old Dominion.

Hunter Fitz-Gerald: Old Dominion.

Andy Garriola: Old Dominion.

P.J. Higgins: Old Dominion.

Andre Lipcius: Lafayette High, Tennessee.

Brandon Lowe: Suffolk (Nansemond River High), Maryland (Newport News native).

Nathaniel Lowe: Born in Norfolk.

Vinnie Pasquantino: James River High, Old Dominion.

Chase Pinder: Poquoson High, Clemson.

Chris Taylor: Virginia Beach (Cox), U.Va.

Ben Williamson: William & Mary.

Bryce Windham: Old Dominion.

Alsander Womack: Norfolk State.

Jared Young: Old Dominion.

PITCHERS

Sam Armstrong: Old Dominion.

Noah Dean: Old Dominion.

Blake Dickerson: Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes).

Graham Firoved: Virginia Beach (First Colonial), Radford, Virginia Tech.

Trey Gibson: Grafton High, Liberty University.

Hunter Gregory: Chesapeake (Hickory), Old Dominion.

Josh Grosz: Virginia Beach (Cox), East Carolina.

Daniel Hudson: Virginia Beach (Princess Anne), Old Dominion.

Daniel Lynch: Hampton native, Douglas Freeman High, UVA.

Alex Mauricio: Norfolk State.

Connor Overton: Old Dominion.

Colin Selby: Chesapeake (Western Branch), Randolph-Macon.

Garrett Stallings: Chesapeake (Grassfield).

Justin Verlander: Old Dominion.

Cory Wall: William & Mary.

Ryan Yarbrough: Old Dominion.

ALL-TIDEWATER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Braelyn Bailey, Grassfield sophomore pitcher

• Class 6 Region A Player of the Year
• Class 6 all-state
• Led Grizzlies to a 21-1-1 record, Class 6 Region A title and No. 1 ranking in Hampton Roads.
• Batted .534 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs
• Went 12-1 pitching with 107 strikeouts and a .168 batting average against
• Read more: Braelyn Bailey led Grassfield softball with a flair for the dramatic

___

Tegan Gabrielse, Hickory junior pitcher

• Class 5 all-state
• Had a 14-3 pitching record with 170 strikeouts in 87 innings
• Batted .456 with 31 hits, eight doubles, three home runs and 27 RBIs
• Class 5 Region A first team

___

Destiny Harris, Granby senior outfielder

• Class 5 all-state
• Class 5 Region B Player of the Year
• Batted .703 with five home runs, 43 runs and 48 RBIs
• Led Granby to a 21-3 record and the Eastern District and Class 5 Region B titles
• Committed to LSU

___

Abby Adamek, Kellam senior pitcher

• Class 5 all-state
• Class 5 Region A Player of the Year
• Led Kellam to Class 5 state championship game and No. 2 ranking in Hampton Roads
• Led area pitchers with a 23-2 pitching record, striking out 215 in 154 innings
• Batted .446 with 41 hits, four home runs and 33 RBIs

___

Marin McGowan, Nansemond-Suffolk junior pitcher

• VISAA Division II State Player of the Year
• Had a 14-2 pitching record with 150 strikeouts in 96 innings
• Struck out 10 in 14-2 win over Isle of Wight Academy in the state championship game
• Batted .383 with eight doubles
• Committed to UNC Greensboro

___

Autumn Cookson, Gloucester freshman pitcher

• Class 4 all-state
• Peninsula District and Class 4 Region A Player of the Year
• Had a 15-1 pitching record with an 0.12 earned-run average and .107 batting average against
• Batted .594 with 41 hits and 43 RBIs

___

Taylor Ryan, Hickory sophomore outfielder

• Class 5 all-state
• Batted .485 with six home runs, 25 runs and 21 RBIs
• Class 5 Region A first-team selection

___

Emily Miller, Hickory sophomore utility

• Repeat All-Tidewater first-team selection
• Batted .400 with 26 runs and 31 RBIs
• Her 10 home runs were second in Hampton Roads this season
• Had a 6-1 pitching record with 44 strikeouts in 35 innings for state semifinalist

___

Carson Griffith, Kellam senior infielder

• Class 5 all-state
• Batted .533 with 43 hits and 16 RBIs
• Her walkoff RBI single gave the Knights a 3-2 win over Hickory in Class 5 Region A championship game
• Committed to Meredith College

___

Karley Boone, Kellam senior designated player

• Class 5 all-state
• Batted .563 with 37 hits, one home run and 20 RBIs.
• Had four hits and reached base on 6 of 7 at-bats in Class 5 state semifinal and final

___

Linda Hodge, Greenbrier Christian senior pitcher

• VISAA Division III Co-Player of the Year
• Led the Gators to the VISAA DIII state championship game
• Had an 18-3 pitching record with 275 strikeouts over 130 innings
• Batted .415 with three home runs and 27 RBIs
• Metro Conference Player of the Year

___

Malli Groves, Nansemond-Suffolk junior catcher

• VISAA all-state first team
• Drove in three runs in VISAA Division II state championship game win over Isle of Wight
• Batted .478 with five home runs and 29 RBIs

___

Ellie Benes, Nansemond-Suffolk senior outfielder

• VISAA Division II all-state first team
• Led the Saints with a .586 batting average, 37 RBIs and four home runs
• Had three hits in VISAA Division II state championship game victory

___

Addison Casassa, Grassfield junior infielder

• Class 6 Region A first team
• Team captain helped Grizzlies earn No. 1 ranking in Hampton Roads
• Batted .333 with a .404 OBP and .970 fielding percentage

___

Maddie Lemasters, Western Branch junior infielder

• Repeat All-Tidewater selection
• Batted .540 with 13 doubles, 32 RBIs and three home runs
• Did not make a fielding error all season

___

Second team

• Cameron Palas, Gloucester sophomore catcher
• Kassidy Oneail, Western Branch senior pitcher
• Taylor Langston, Granby senior outfielder
• Camryn Hamilton, Granby senior catcher
• Shaka Holmes, Granby senior pitcher
• Alyssa Laney, Poquoson sophomore catcher
• Brooklyn Arneault, Poquoson senior pitcher
• Sydney Seals, Deep Creek senior pitcher
• Michaela Holley, Grafton senior outfielder
• Skyler Ackerman, Kecoughtan junior pitcher
• Kate Beck, First Colonial senior outfielder
• Sam Patterson, Ocean Lakes sophomore pitcher
• Brianna Brooks, Tabb senior catcher
• Haleigh Murphy, Greenbrier Christian junior infielder
• Mya Davis, Grassfield senior infielder
• EG Hatcher, Grassfield sophomore catcher

But the injury that sidelined Stuffel for this season created a void, and no fewer than five players moved to fill it. Grassfield sophomore Braelyn Bailey emerges as this season’s All-Tidewater Softball Player of the Year, but that doesn’t mean fans of Destiny Harris (Granby), Marin McGowan (Nansemond-Suffolk Academy), Tegan Gabrielse (Hickory) or Abby Adamek (Kellam) couldn’t make a good case for their favorite.

Their biographies listed in our All-Tidewater softball first team highlight their excellence in a season when the top seven in the 757Teamz Top 15 were closely matched. Hickory coach Shane Smith offered as good a reason as any why Bailey deserved top honors.

“She’s the best player on the best team in the best district,” said Smith, whose Hawks lost to Grassfield in what turned out to be a memorable race for the Southeastern District title.

Smith could also have mentioned Bailey’s flair for the dramatic, which was on vivid display in the Grizzlies’ 8-7 win over Hickory in their late-season showdown for the district lead and even more so in the district championship-clinching win over Great Bridge.

With the Grizzlies trailing Great Bridge by two runs, and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Bailey hit a walk-off grand slam. The four runs gave the Grizzlies an 8-6 win and the district title while completing an unbeaten regular season (including a tie with private school state champion Nansemond-Suffolk).

“It’s a powerful feeling to do something great for your team,” said Bailey, the Grizzlies’ first All-Tidewater Softball Player of the Year since Morgan Murphy in 2018.

She came up big in a couple of ways in the win over Hickory in the previous game, starting with the three-run homer that gave the Grizzlies a six-run lead in the top of sixth. Hickory rallied and Bailey escaped in a most dramatic fashion.

With runners on second and third and two out in the bottom of the seventh, Gabrielse cracked what appeared to be a game-winning line drive for Hickory. But second baseman Cydney LaFon leaped high in the air to snag it and preserve the victory for Bailey and Grassfield.

“I breathed a sigh of relief and could not give (LaFon) enough hugs,” Bailey said.

More often than not, however, Bailey was the Grizzlies’ hero.

“She pitched against, and beat, some of the best teams in Virginia and North Carolina, and she had those last-minute home runs,” Grassfield coach Leroy Bohn said. “The whole team fed off of her and there’s no one I’d rather have in the pitching circle or at the plate with the game on the line.”

Statistics in both areas underscore Bailey’s excellence for the Class 6 Region A champs.

She had a 12-1 pitching record for the Grizzlies, who went 21-1-1, losing only to eventual state champion Osbourn Park in the Class 6 state quarterfinals. Hickory finished No. 1 in the 757Teamz rankings and Bailey’s seven wins against teams in the Top 15 included shutouts of Western Branch and Granby — the latter considered the best-hitting team in Hampton Roads.

“I was stronger (physically), but my biggest improvement (pitching) this year was that I was stronger mentally,” Bailey said.

She batted .534 with 31 RBIs and a 1.172 slugging percentage, buoyed by her 11 home runs that led Hampton Roads.

“You’ve got to have more confidence than the pitcher you’re facing,” Bailey said.

Bailey developed that confidence from long hours in batting cages working with her dad, Kirtis Bailey, and hitting coach Bobby Hoeft. That, and her ability to keep her cool in those dramatic moments, give her the small edge for All-Tidewater Softball Player of the Year over the aforementioned quartet of Harris, McGowan, Gabrielese and Adamek.

“It’s a great feeling because those girls worked hard and are good teammates and players,” Bailey said. “I’m proud of them, but I’m proud of myself, too, because I worked hard.”

All-Tidewater Softball Players of the Year

2024: Braelyn Bailey, Grassfield

2023: Cammie Stuffel, Nansemond River

2022: Madison Inscoe, Nansemond-Suffolk

2021: Madison Inscoe, Nansemond-Suffolk

2020: Season canceled (pandemic)

2019: Brook Cannon, Kellam

2018: Morgan Murphy, Grassfield

2017: Hanna Crist, Princess Anne

2016: Meaghan Barfield, First Colonial

2015: Meaghan Barfield, First Colonial

2014: Sydney Harless, Great Bridge

2013: Kayla Harris, Greenbrier Christian

2012: Krista Lewis, Hickory

2011: Amber Phillips, Hickory

2010: Sami Mignat, Ocean Lakes

2009: Kaitlynn Szczepanski, Great Bridge

2008: Jennifer Gniadek, Hickory

2007: Stephanie Kemp, Kellam

2006: Catelyn Slagle, Greenbrier Christian

2005: Mallory Mazur, Kempsville

2004: Mallory Mazur, Kempsville

2003: Amber Shifflett, Princess Anne

2002: Amber Straube, Princess Anne

2001: Ashley Loeback, Princess Anne

2000: Ginny Fletcher, Great Bridge

1999: Ginny Fletcher, Great Bridge

1998: Melissa Hirsch, Princess Anne

1997: Melissa Hirsch, Princess Anne

1996: Lisa Slingerland, Princess Anne

1995: Donna Self, Booker T. Washington

1994: Amy Hooks, Bayside

1993: Amy Hooks, Bayside

ALL-TIDEWATER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Keegan Haesler, First Colonial junior outfielder/first baseman

• Helped lead the Patriots to their first state title in more than 30 years.
• Class 5 Player of the Year
• Class 5 Region A Player of the Year
• Batted .486 with 47 hits, 34 runs, 24 stolen bases and 22 RBIs. He also had a .565 on-base percentage with 14 walks, 12 doubles, two triples and two home runs.
• Read more: Keegan Haesler helped lead Patriots to state title

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Gavin Biernot, Western Branch senior pitcher

• Class 6 Player of the Year
• Class 6 Region A Player of the Year
• The 6-foot-4 left-hander posted an 8-0 record with a 0.89 ERA and 92 strikeouts.
• The Virginia Military Institute signee gave up 49 hits, and opponents batted .175 against him.

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Casey Cuddyer, Great Bridge sophomore shortstop

• First-team All-Class 5
• First-team All-Class 5 Region A
• Led the Wildcats in every offensive category as he batted .453, with a .625 slugging percentage and .538 on-base percentage.
• He scored 23 runs with 22 RBIs and 18 stolen bases to help Great Bridge get the No. 1 seed in the Class 5 Region A Tournament.

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Zach Davis, Menchville senior pitcher/outfielder

• Two-time All-Tidewater first-team selection
• Two-time first-team All-Class 5 Region B and two-time first-team All-Peninsula District
• He was 12-0 with a 1.41 ERA and 104 strikeouts and tossed three one-hitters and one no-hitter this season. During the region tournament, he was 2-0 with 12 strikeouts and allowed just four hits and one earned run. He batted .460 with 30 RBIs, 26 runs and 21 stolen bases.

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Brycen Hamilton, Maury senior pitcher/third baseman

• Two-time All-Tidewater selection
• First-team All-Class 5
• Class 5 Region B Player of the Year
• The Virginia Military Institute signee batted .333 with 25 RBIs and three home runs to help Maury advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2007. He was 6-0 with a 1.20 ERA, including a win over Ocean Lakes to advance to the Class 5 state semifinals.

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Luke Harlow, Walsingham Academy senior outfielder

• Two-time All-Tidewater first-team selection
• Two-time VISAA Division III Player of the Year
• Tidewater Conference Player of the Year
• The Ohio State commit batted .430 with 43 hits, 39 runs, 38 RBIs and 36 stolen bases to help lead the Trojans to the VISAA Division III state title.

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CJ Murray, Norfolk Academy junior pitcher

• Helped lead the Bulldogs to the Tidewater Conference regular-season and tournament titles
• First-team All-VISAA Division I
• First-team All-Tidewater Conference and tournament Most Valuable Player
• Batted .403 with 29 RBIs and was 6-4 with a 2.60 ERA and 67 strikeouts

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Jake Mutter, Tabb senior pitcher/infielder

• Class 3 Player of the Year and Class 3 Region A Player of the Year
• Bay Rivers District Player of the Year
• He was 7-2 with a 1.35 ERA and 71 strikeouts. He batted .567 with 21 RBIs and 18 runs.

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Cayden Ochsenfeld, Bethel senior pitcher

• Two-time All-Tidewater first-team selection
• First-team Class 5 Region B and the Peninsula District Player of the Year
• He was 4-0 with a 0.33 ERA, 56 strikeouts and two saves. He threw two no-hitters — including a 19-strikeout performance against Kecoughtan — and a one-hitter. Opposing teams batted .032 against him.
• The James Madison commit went through a span of 21 innings without giving up a hit or a run.

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Tanner Schaedel, Cape Henry senior utility player

• Three-time All-Tidewater first-team selection
• First-team All-VISAA Division I
• Batted .433 with 39 RBIs and five home runs, and had a 1.94 ERA with 48 strikeouts.
• Committed to Old Dominion

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Austin Shackleford, Gloucester senior pitcher/outfielder

• First-team All-Class 4 and Class 4 Region A Player of the Year
• First-team All-Peninsula District
• The Ferrum signee was 9-0 with a 0.56 ERA and 69 strikeouts. He batted .305 with 23 RBIs and scored 15 runs.

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Wes Stubbe, First Colonial junior shortstop

• Helped lead the Patriots to their first state title in more than 30 years.
• First-team All-Class 5
• First-team All-Class 5 Region A
• Batted .446 with 34 runs, 33 hits, 20 RBIs and a .545 on-base percentage.

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Eli Tyndall, Poquoson junior shortstop/pitcher

• Two-time All-Tidewater first-team selection
• Led the Islanders to the Class 2 state title
• Class 2 Player of the Year and Class 2 Region A Player of the Year
• Batted .351 with 33 runs and 11 stolen bases. On the mound, he was 4-2 with a 1.04 ERA and 59 strikeouts.

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Mikey Urbaniak, Greenbrier Christian senior catcher

• Two-time All-Tidewater selection
• Led the Gators to the VISAA Division II state title
• VISAA Division II Player of the Year
• The Longwood signee batted .488 with 34 runs, 30 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.

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Parker Wight, Cox senior first baseman

• Two-time All-Tidewater first-team selection
• First-team All-Class 5 and first-team All-Class 5 Region A
• Batted .425 with 36 RBIs, 24 runs and six home runs.

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SECOND TEAM

• Brayden Bachman, Hickory junior outfielder
• Derek Baker, Maury junior utility player
• Sean Burke, Ocean Lakes senior pitcher
• Thomas Conrad, Greenbrier Christian junior outfielder
• Dylan Deyoung, Gloucester senior outfielder
• Cole Draper, York senior outfielder
• Patrick Dudley, Atlantic Shores Christian junior pitcher
• Ryan Gocio, Ocean Lakes junior catcher
• Bobby Holihan, York senior first baseman/pitcher
• Austin Irby, Cox senior third baseman
• Brady Isaksen, Lafayette junior pitcher
• Colby Motley, Hampton Roads Academy senior third baseman
• Brody Schultz, Walsingham Academy senior catcher
• Landon Turner, Menchville senior shortstop
• Bradley Zayac, Grassfield senior pitcher

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

All of the players in the program knew this, including junior outfielder/first baseman Keegan Haesler.

He set out to change it.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder and first baseman did just that as he hit .486 with 47 hits, 34 runs, 24 stolen bases and 22 RBIs to help lead the Patriots to their first state title in 31 years. He also had a .565 on-base percentage with 14 walks, 12 doubles, two triples and two home runs.

“Keegan is one of the best players I have ever coached,” said Patriots coach Scott Stubbe. “He is a great teammate and constant leader on the field. He competes at the highest level in all parts of the game on offense, defense and on the bases. I’m not sure if we win the state title this year without him. My coaches and I constantly talk about how invaluable he is to our team and would be on any team.”

Haesler is First Colonial’s first All-Tidewater Baseball Player of the Year since Frank Berry in 2006.

Other coaches also knew how important Haesler was to the Patriots as he was named the Class 5 Player of the Year and the Class 5 Region A Player of the Year.

Stubbe said he hopes this season will help Haesler and his son, Wes, get more interest from colleges.

“He and Wes are both still uncommitted,” he said. “I hope this year gets them more attention. They both can help a lot of programs.”

Stubbe said Haesler really turned things around during the Patriots’ playoff push.

“He had big hits for us all year, including nine two-out RBIs,” Stubbe said. “He hit .545 over the last 10 games. His defensive versatility and baserunning skills helped make us a better team. And whether he is at first base or in the outfield, his defense often ends up being a game-changer. We also wouldn’t be where we are without him.”

Haesler’s career totals include a .403 batting average, 59 runs, 34 RBIs and 37 stolen bases.

The good news for Stubbe and the Patriots is they will have Haesler for another season.

“He is a top-notch person, great character,” Stubbe said about Haesler, who also plays basketball for the Patriots and has a 3.5 grade-point average. “I can’t say enough (about him).”

All-Tidewater Baseball Players of the Year

2024 – Keegan Haesler, First Colonial

2023 – Tanner Schaedel, Cape Henry

2022 – Clay Grady, Nansemond River

2021 – Ethan Ott, Greenbrier Christian

2020 – Season canceled due to pandemic

2019 – Mason Dunaway, Hickory

2018 – Danny Connolly, Ocean Lakes

2017 – Hunter Gregory, Hickory

2016 – Michael Blanchard, Nansemond River

2015 – Connor Eason, Hickory

2014 – Zach Rutherford, Western Branch

2013 – Connor Jones, Great Bridge

2012 – Mitch Moynihan, Kellam

2011 – Justin Lee, Great Bridge

2010 – Nick Thompson, Western Branch

2009 – Chris Taylor, Cox

2008 – Gary Ward, Hickory

2007 – Neil Ramirez, Kempsville

2006 – Frank Berry, First Colonial

2005 – Justin Upton, Great Bridge

2004 – Justin Upton, Great Bridge

2003 – J.D. Wyatt, Great Bridge

2002 – B.J. Upton, Greenbrier Christian

2001 – David Wright, Hickory

2000 – Kurt Isenberg, First Colonial

1999 – Kurt Isenberg, First Colonial

1998 – Thom Ott, Greenbrier Christian

1997 – Mike Cuddyer, Great Bridge

1996 – Jason Dubois, Cox

1995 – Chris Elmore, Green Run

1994 – Jimmy Anderson, Western Branch

1993 – Nathan Thomas, First Colonial

Shackelford, a pitcher, was named the Class 4 Region A Player of the Year.

Churchland placed two on the second team with senior third baseman A.J. Boone and sophomore outfielder Cameron Duke.

Dominion senior pitcher and outfielder Cayden Suchy is the Class 4 Player of the Year. Atlee head coach Mike Morris is the Class 4 Coach of the Year.