As we hit the midway point of the 2024 Vermont high school baseball season, there is still a lot of questions that need to be answered. However, the most important ones may come from Division 1 as the Metro division squads go full throttle and figure out who the contenders are that can vie for a state championship. With that being said, here are 5 questions to think of for the last month of the season.
1---Can CVU come back from a convincing loss?
On May 7th, the Redhawks went to South Burlington looking to keep their undefeated record intact. But the Wolves had other ideas, capitalizing on big hits and handing the defending champs their first loss of the season. Now, CVU looks to get back on the right track heading towards a rematch with South Burlington in Hinesburg on the 28th.
They have the hitting from Travis Stroh and Russell Willoughby and Stephen Rickert is one of the top pitchers in the division, but can they find their rhythm when it matters most and keep a chance of a repeat title on go.
2---Is it Kelly or bust for South Burlington?
While the hitting of Andre Bouffard and Lucas Van Mullen has stepped up in a big way, the Wolves have been riding the hot hand of Nick Kelly on the mound. Kelly has started the 2024 season with the same dominance that has led SB to so much success the previous two years, including a D1 semifinal appearance last year. But when Kelly isn't available to pitch, who will step up?
Maybe it's Van Mullen, who pitched a gem of his own against Mount Mansfield on May 9th. What about newcomer Henry Dorman, who had a quality performance against Essex on May 2nd? Whoever it may be, it seems like this Wolves squad is destined for a potential championship...as long as they remain healthy throughout the season.
3---Can another Metro team pull off a run?
It's one of the most stacked divisions in the state and anyone can make a run if it all comes together. Colchester has Zach Davis and Vinny Wagoner, who pitched a no-hitter on May 7th against St. Johnsbury. Speaking of the Hilltoppers, Rex Hauser has been one of their best players and has led them to a 6-1 start. And while the Cougars did fall for the second time, Langdon Hazen and Easton Randall have become a 1-2 punch on the mound for the Jericho squad.
The postseason isn't about which seed you are but about if you can make a run to get to Centennial Field to play for a championship. In the Metro, that run can start with picking up some huge Ws in the regular season.
4---Is this the year a Southern division team wins the title?
In 2023, the Mount Anthony Patriots were one win away from ending a 6-year drought of a team from the southern part of the state becoming D1 baseball state champions. In 2024, the Bennington squad has come out scorching, winning their first 10 games, including a 4-2 decision at South Burlington on April 27th.
Meanwhile, Burr and Burton have won their last 5 games, including a 2-1 win against the Wolves on May 4th. With a matchup against the Patriots looming on the 17th in Manchester, where will the Bulldogs be at when the season concludes?
5---D2, D3, D4 teams to watch?
While the defending champions in D3 (Thetford) and D4 (Blue Mountain) have found repeated success in 2024, they are met at the top by teams looking to make a run to Centennial. Green Mountain, Bellows Falls, Woodstock and White River Valley are teams the Panthers will have to keep an eye on while Rivendell is keeping pace with BMU in D4.
In Division 2, it is a wide-open field for the state title with last year's champs Peoples in a rebuilding year, joining forces with Stowe for a co-op team in 2024. 6 teams are at least 3 games over .500 as of May 15, including Missisquoi and Montpelier who have only lost once this season.
We are officially one month away from Championship Saturday in the Vermont High School Baseball season, but there is so much to be seen when it comes to who will end up playing for the titles. Over the course of the next two weeks, we will be splitting up the contenders from the pretenders. Which teams will rise? Which ones will fall? Who will make it to Centennial Field? We're about to find out! ⚾
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