2016 Virginia Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
Head coach: Mark Gjormand
2015 record: 24-5
Madison captured the 6A state championship in 2015 and returns a number of players who have spent three or four years on the varsity team. Madison also has a junior varsity program that has won 62 straight games dating back to 2011.
Pete Nielsen (.388) is returning at shortstop while
Matt Favero (10-0, 80 Ks) is the top returning pitcher. Both are headed to BYU next year.
See last season's Virginia baseball computer rankings
2. Liberty Christian (Lynchburg)
Head coach: Randy Tomlin
2015 record: 22-1-1
With
Zack Hess, the VISAA's most valuable player last year, returning for his senior season, Liberty Christian should be favored to win a third-straight independent schools championship. Hess batted .400 and had a 7-1 pitching record. He's joined by all-state picks
Wesley Clarke (Sophomore, C), and
Garret Price (P, 2-0 record).
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3. Stone Bridge (Ashburn)
Head coach: Andrew Baird
2015 record: 23-5
The Bulldogs return six starters and three pitchers from a team that won the Group 5A state championship last year.
John Callahan (.424),
Dave Mocabee (.329, 7-0 pitching record) and
Brett Kreyer (.324, 8-1 pitching record) all earned Group 5A all-state honors last season.
See last season's Virginia baseball playoff brackets
4. Oakton (Vienna)
Head coach: Justin Janus
2015 record: 15-4
Oakton did not advance far in the state playoffs in 2015, but it does return one of the state's top players. Senior third baseman
Joe Rizzo, ranked as the No. 1 player in the state by Perfect Game, was the state player of the year in Group 6A as a junior. Also making all-region were catcher
Ryan Davis and pitcher
Toma Shigaki.
See last season's Virginia baseball stat leaders
5. Hanover (Mechanicsville)
Head coach: Charlie Dragum
2015 record: 18-6
The Hawks missed out on a chance to win three straight state championships after they fell to Jefferson Forest in the semifinals. Hanover won the AAA title in 2013 and the 4A crown in 2014.
Grey Lyttle, a second team all-state pitcher, and sophomore
Camden Grimes, a second team all-state third baseman, both return for the Hawks.
