IN THE RANKINGS

Bishop Verot High School: Unranked in MaxPreps Preseason Top 100

Hamilton High School: No. 7 in MaxPreps Preseason Top 100

Huntington Beach High School: No. 75 in MaxPreps Preseason Top 100

McQuaid Jesuit High School: Unranked in MaxPreps Preseason Top 100

NHSI HISTORY

Bishop Verot High School:

Bishop Verot returns to the NHSI for the second time in 2022 after first appearing in the event in 2014. The Vikings went 3-1 in their NHSI debut, dropping their opening round matchup before winning three consecutive games to cap off the tournament.

Hamilton High School:

Hamilton will make its third appearance at the NHSI this year and first since 2017. The Huskies own an overall record of 5-3 at the NHSI, including their 3-1 finish at the event in 2013. Most recently, Hamilton won a pair of tournament games in 2017 on the strength of two shutout wins.

Huntington Beach High School:

In its fifth appearance and with an NHSI title already under its belt, Huntington Beach will look to build upon its 12-4 overall tournament record in 2022. After making their NHSI debut in 2015, the Oilers captured the trophy in 2016 with a 7-2 championship game win over Chaminade Prep (Calif.). They have participated twice more since their title run, posting a combined 5-3 record in 2017 and 2019.

McQuaid Jesuit High School:

McQuaid Jesuit is making its first appearance in the NHSI in 2022.

PROSPECT PROFILES

Right-handed pitcher Kole Klecker (Hamilton) was an ace for the Huskies in 2021. The senior posted a 1.72 ERA en route to a perfect 5-0 record on the mound, while also notching a save. Klecker, who struck out 54 batters in 44.2 innings a season ago, is committed to pitch at TCU.

Logan Saloman (Hamilton) saw action as both a pitcher and a first baseman last season, putting together a solid all-around junior campaign. On the mound, Saloman made eight appearances and had a 3-1 record with a 3.44 ERA and two saves. At the plate, the Arizona State commit batted .275 (19-for-69) with three home runs and 20 RBIs in 2021.

Just a freshman, Carter Smith (Bishop Verot) has started his high school career strong in 2022. The shortstop and right-handed pitcher is batting .333 (5-for-15) with three RBIs through his first six games for Bishop Verot, while also tossing two scoreless frames on the mound.

Gavin Turley (Hamilton) led the offensive attack for the Huskies last season, putting together a dominant season at the plate. The outfielder batted .355 (22-for-62) with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 2021, getting on base at a .551 clip. Turley, who also swiped 11 bags in his junior season, is an Oregon State commit.

Ralphy Velazquez (Huntington Beach) had a breakout year as a sophomore as he hit .593 (16-for-27) with three homers and 15 RBIs. Velazquez, who serves as a utilityman for the Oilers, also collected six doubles and a pair of triples in 2021. The junior is committed to play collegiately at Arizona State.

USA BASEBALL ALUMNI PROFILES

Logan Saloman (Hamilton) pitched for the 2019 15U National Team, helping Team USA earn gold at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. The right-hander led the red, white, and blue with 12.0 innings pitched, collecting a 3.00 ERA and a team-high 16 strikeouts. Saloman, who is committed to Arizona State, also participated in the 2018 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP).

Ralphy Velazquez (Huntington Beach) is a two-time USA Baseball alum, suiting up for the 12U National Team in both 2016 and 2017. Velazquez made his Team USA debut at the 2016 COPABE Pan Am "A" Championships and batted .500 (3-for-6) to help the U.S. earn a silver medal. The catcher and infielder then returned the following year, hitting .409 (9-for-22) with a homer as the U.S. won gold at the 2017 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup. The Arizona State commit also participated in the 14U NTDP in 2019.

MATCHUPS

Bishop Verot vs. Hamilton

Although both teams have past NHSI experience, youth will be on display in this opening round matchup. Freshman two-way player Carter Smith is productive both on the mound and at the plate for Bishop Verot and will be a key to the Vikings’ success in the tournament. Hamilton’s rotation, which returns 15 of its 20 pitching wins from a season ago, will be tasked with holding Bishop Verot’s offense in check. Gavin Turley and Josh Tiedemann will be threats at the plate for the Huskies, while Kevin RisCassi and Smith will lead Bishop Verot’s lineup.

Huntington Beach vs. McQuaid Jesuit

Huntington Beach has a long history of success at the NHSI, bringing its 12-4 tournament record into this matchup against McQuaid Jesuit, which will be making its tournament debut. Veteran pitching arms Ben Jacobs and Jack Smith provide experience atop Huntington’s rotation, and bats like Nicholas Dumesnil and Ralphy Velazquez will make the Oilers a tough out. But McQuaid matches Huntington’s veteran experience, returning 18 players – including seven starters – from 2021. Pitchers Edward Hall and Daniel McAliney are arms to watch for McQuaid.

ROUND 2

The team that emerges from this pod will take on the winner from Pod 3, which includes Buford High School (Buford, Ga.), Don Bosco Preparatory School (Ramsey, N.J.), Servite High School (Anaheim, Calif.), and St Johns Country Day School (Orange Park, Fla.).