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A James River squad packed with underclass talent won the program's third
Central Region title in the past five seasons in 2011, eventually advancing to
the state semi-finals. Coach Pete Schumacher's squad will be loaded again
this season, with five players already committed to D-I schools, and more sure
to follow. Nationally ranked, the Rapids were an easy choice as for the
VirginiaPreps.com "Start of the Season" State Top Ten!
VirginiaPreps.com's Central Region baseball editor, Tom Garrett, provides
further analysis of the talented James River team:
Returnees include senior lefty Kit Scheetz (8-1, 1 SV, 1.67 ERA, 76 K,
second-team all-state, Virginia Tech), senior lefty Nathan Kirby (4-1, 1 SV, 2.79 ERA, 73 K, second-team All-Dominion, UVA), senior right-hander Tyler Carrico (1-0, 1.97 ERA, UVA), senior catcher Collin Lawless (.309 BA, .414 OPB, 3 HR, 17 RBI, Longwood), junior third baseman Mac Caples (.459 BA, .511 OBP, 23 R, 3 HR, 13 SB, 23 RBI), senior outfielder / catcher Michael Trentham (.378 BA,.472 OPB, 5 HR, 21 RBI), and junior first baseman / pitcher Jack Roberts (.391 BA, .451 OBP; 4-3, 3.35 ERA, 32 K).
Coach Schumacher says that his team will have "a veteran presence with some seniors who have played three and four years, and a group that made it to the state semi-finals last year." He adds that "pitching is also a strength," which may be something of an understatement. He does note that James River is young in some key areas and the newcomers will need to replace a lot of offensive production.
The graduation of last year's Dominion District Player of the Year, shortstop
and lead-off hitter Casey Jones, is a particularly big loss. Coach Schumacher
cautions against getting too caught up in preseason hype or theoretical
greatness. "Being good on paper doesn't mean anything, as we all know," he says. "Hopefully, we'll grow from the experience we had last year, and the new players will step right in and perform."
The two James River teams that won state titles (2008 and 2009) had one key trait in common with this squad: Not just pitching depth, but elite pitching depth. A few other schools in the area are blessed with more than one decent
pitcher, but none have a foursome like Scheetz / Kirby / Roberts / Carrico.
Coupled with some very good hitters coming back from last year, that pitching
depth has to make James River the favorites even in a district with a great team
like Cosby. It's not out of the question that James River could add a third AAA
title to the trophy case this season, but, as Coach Schumacher says, being good
on paper is fine, but the Rapids will have to get it done on the field.
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