A pair of Harford County baseball teams reached the state semifinals last season, but neither broke through for a championship. Patterson Mill got the farthest but lost in the 1A title game, and area coaches expect the Huskies to be the class of the county once again in 2025.
Top challengers, according to coaches, appear to be Fallston, C. Milton Wright, North Harford and Havre de Grace. But no area team will boast as talented of a roster as John Carroll. The Patriots tout several Division I commits and were invited to the Perfect Game High School Showdown tournament in Hoover, Alabama, last month. They’ll play a pair of Harford County public schools in Fallston (March 28) and Havre de Grace (April 19) this season.
This will also be the first season of the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference’s realignment, forgoing the annual realignment model with Chesapeake and Susquehanna divisions and going to three fixed divisions of five teams each (Tydings: Aberdeen, Bel Air, Fallston, Joppatowne and Patterson Mill; Hatem: C. Milton Wright, Edgewood, Harford Tech, North Harford and Havre de Grace; Conowingo: Perryville, North East, Rising Sun, Bo Manor and Elkton).
Most coaches told The Aegis they’re excited to see a renewed importance for the regular season as a conference championship returns to the UCBAC. Some worry what the changes could do for existing rivalries and teams that will struggle to compete in their new divisions.
Here’s what to watch for this season in Harford County baseball. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information.)
Aberdeen
Coach: Bob Arnold, eighth season
Last year: 9-11, region finalists
Top returners: Senior Jack Morrill (outfielder); juniors Ayden Fleming (shortstop) and Trevor Zakowsky (utility).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Xavier Briscoe (outfielder), Aariyan Deshpande (pitcher) and Peyton Forloine (pitcher).
Coach’s outlook: “We are looking forward to our players getting out on the field and showing how their hard work in the offseason has prepared them to compete. We will need to play great defense, consistently throw strikes and find ways to score runs in multiple ways.”
Bel Air
Coach: Sam Spooner, first season
Last year: 7-10
Top returners: Seniors Cooper Rey (pitcher) and Daniel Pena (outfielder); junior Noah Shillman (pitcher/infielder).
Newcomers to wach: Junior Chris Holdaway (outfielder); sophomore Connor Vecchioni (infielder).
Coach’s outlook: “With this being my first year heading the varsity program, I feel like there is a fresh outlook on the team and season. Lots of new players, different team dynamics, and a new and positive culture. I believe we have one of the most talented teams in the county, we just have to believe we are. My goal is to have these guys remember this is a fun game, and that with this talent they can go the distance, and to not be scared of anything or anyone. Confidence is key.”
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Rich DeNardi, second season
Last year: 10-7
Top returners: Seniors Ryan Herman (catcher/outfielder) and Kevin Emerson (outfielder); junior Landon Melnick (pitcher).
Top newcomers: Sophomores Eric Penney (infielder) and Owen Davis (pitcher).
Coach’s outlook: “We’re very young. I hope we learn, mature and peak at year’s end.”
Edgewood
Coach: Greg Rodenbaugh, ninth season
Last year: 0-18
Top returners: Senior James Slaten; sophomores Justin Padin and Kayden Kuessner.
Newcomers to watch: Junior Dezekiah Bailey; sophomore Benjamin Stoffel; freshman Jesse Goodwin.
Coach’s outlook: “Team play and camaraderie are important. While young, we have experience and need to work everyday to stay ready.”
Fallston coach Grant Morlock feels his team will be in a bit of a rebuilding process this year, but has a lot of young talent waiting for their turn. (FILE)
Fallston
Coach: Grant Morlock, 11th season
Last year: 15-6, state semifinalist
Top returners: Juniors Zack Loewe (shortstop), Reese Conley (pitcher/infielder) and Aiden Stromberger (pitcher/infielder).
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Luca Santoro (outfielder) and Tyler Conrad (outfielder); junior Carter Flanagan (pitcher/infielder).
Coach’s outlook: “This should be a rebuilding year of sorts this year with Zach Loewe being the lone returning starter and the majority of the pitching staff graduating as well. Expectations will still remain high after winning back-to-back 2A East Region and UCBAC Chesapeake Division titles. Our junior varsity team was 17-0 last year, so we do have some players moving up and looking for opportunities. We will need to manufacture runs this year and rely on an inexperienced pitching rotation to be in the mix. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Harford Tech
Coach: Paul Daniele, 18th season
Last year: 14-4
Top returners: Senior CJ Scism (pitcher/utility); juniors Zach Lane (second baseman) and Aiden Sullivan (first baseman).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Christian Donlick (outfielder), Carter Manera (outfielder/pitcher) and Quinto Kron (catcher).
Coach’s outlook: “I believe that we can compete for a divisional title and conference title with a good core of returning players and incoming juniors. I believe our conference is one of the best in the state and it will prepare all teams in our conference to make a run in the state playoffs.”
Bryce Bauer returns as a top arm for Havre de Grace in 2025. (FILE)
Havre de Grace
Coach: Chad Blevins, 15th season
Last year: 11-10, region finalists
Top returners: Seniors Bryce Bauer (shortstop/pitcher) and AJ Rogers (first baseman); junior Julian Ringgold (pitcher).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Nolen Soriano (pitcher/infielder); sophomores Chase Blevins (outfielder/pitcher) and Palmer Spence (catcher).
Coach’s outlook: “The upcoming season is set to bring plenty of excitement and growth for our team. By returning a solid upperclassmen group providing leadership and talented underclassmen looking to make an impact, we are looking for an exciting mix of experience and youth. Pitching depth, defensive fundamentals and clutch hitting will be key factors in determining our success. We will need to become a tight team with great synergy to reach our goals.”
John Carroll
Coach: Darrion Siler, ninth season
Last year: 14-10
Top returners: Seniors Casey Carpenter (infielder), Will Rhine (infielder), Dallas Brooks (catcher), Drew Jourdan (infielder) and Brooks Mueller (pitcher); juniors Miguel Leon (infielder) and Pierce Quinn (pitcher).
Top newcomers: Junior Kiernan Deremeik (utility).
Coach’s outlook: “The John Carroll Patriots are locked and loaded for what promises to be an electrifying season in one of the most competitive high school baseball leagues in the region. With eight college commits, two dominant arms on the mound, six of the state’s top-35 MSABC preseason All-State players and a lineup stacked with some of the most feared hitters in the league, the Patriots have their sights set high this year. Playing in a league filled with parity from top to bottom, every game will be a grind. The Patriots’ rotation is anchored by two elite arms in Brooks Mueller and Pierce Quinn who can shut down any lineup, while the offense boasts a dangerous mix of power, speed and plate discipline that will keep opposing pitchers on edge. With experience, firepower and a relentless competitive edge, this group has all the pieces to make a deep postseason run.”
North Harford
Coach: Jeff Burrows, fourth season
Last year: 8-14
Top returners: Seniors Jackson Arminger (shortstop) and Tucker Deal; junior Collin Knight (pitcher).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Nathaniel Burd (outfielder), Jedd Carll (utility) and Tyler Fialcowitz (outfielder).
Coach’s outlook: “Looking forward to seeing the growth of our younger players. Good pitching and fundamental defense will keep this team in a competitive situation.”
Patterson Mill
Coach: Matt Roseland, 17th season
Last year: 12-12, 1A state finalist
Top returners: Senior Noah Thomas (pitcher/infielder); junior Tre McInnes (catcher/pitcher); sophomore Mason Hemelt (outfielder/pitcher).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Jayden Stabile (infielder); sophomore Dallas Anderson (outfielder/pitcher); freshman Peter Weber (infielder/pitcher).
Coach’s outlook: “We graduated seven senior contributors from our 2024 squad. Our team this year will be young with only three seniors in the program, but some of our young talent gained valuable experience throughout last year’s regular season into our playoff run. We will be a young squad that will be starting a good number of sophomores.”
Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.
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