Metro SOCO Braves

The Braves look to build on their playoff appearance in 2024 with another strong season in 2025. Photo by Brandon Lauchnor. 

By Erin Hughes

Head Coach: Chris Warren

2024: 16-20 (3rd in South Division, lost in play-in game)

First Game: Tuesday, June 3 vs. Senators

The Metro South County Braves will have fresh faces on its roster for the Summer 2025 season. After making the playoffs in 2024, the Braves look to get back into the postseason this summer.

Braves head coach Chris Warren is optimistic about his squad believing he has a good mix of veteran players and young talent at his disposal, especially on the bump. Warren’s pitching staff is loaded with 24 arms - a group that includes a couple of returners, and he plans to use the first couple of weeks of the summer to determine the best roles for the team and the players’ development. Warren has a number of options at his disposal.

Right-handed pitcher Luke Pietrandrea (Frederick CC) and southpaw Kyndall Cassidy (Ouachita Baptist) both return for their second summer in South County. In 2024, Pietrandrea made six appearances for the Braves, including a scoreless inning against the Bethesda Big Train in the LCS. Cassidy pitched 29.0 innings over nine appearances last summer, recording 19 strikeouts and 5.59 ERA.

Also likely to make appearances on the bump for the Braves are righties Ketz Murray (Marymount), Tyler Kelly (William & Mary), and Oliver Miller (Case Western Reserve). Murray posted a 3.00 ERA through 30.0 innings of work and 12 appearances, giving up just 12 runs and striking out 22 in his sophomore season. Kelly and Miller each bring 34 and 35 strikeouts, respectively, from their freshman seasons. Kelly recorded two saves over 33.1 innings pitched for the Tribe, and Miller tabbed a 3-2 record with one save and a 3.90 ERA in 32.1 innings for the Spartans. That type of experience will be beneficial for the Braves during close games this season. Seasoned hitters are also available for the Braves.

Warren noted that both right-handed pitcher Nate Dudeck and outfielder Franklin Gomez Jr. of Fairleigh Dickinson have much to offer the Braves this summer. Additionally, catcher Nich Francuzenko (Towson) and infielder Terrence Rhodes (Norfolk State) each posted impressive numbers at the plate for their teams. Through 44 games, Francuzenko hit at a .309 clip for the Tigers, plating 22 RBIs with a .866 OPS. He tallied 42 hits, including four home runs and seven doubles. Rhodes hit .244 with 30 hits in 36 games for Norfolk State, adding 10 RBIs and 16 runs as well.

Infielder Sam Grube (Mount St. Mary’s) looks to bring some speed on the basepaths for the Braves. In his freshman season with the Mountaineers, Grube ended the year fourth in his conference in stolen bases (27) and second in triples (4); he also posted a .293 batting average off of 58 hits, 48 runs, 45 RBIs, four home runs, and eight doubles. The 40 walks Grube earned placed him seventh in his conference. Warren also anticipates underclassmen infielders Connor Doherty (Delaware) and JW Kohlmeyer (VMI) will be among an impressive group of young talent to contribute this season. 

The Braves host the Southern Maryland Senators on Tuesday, June 3 for CRSCBL Opening Day. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at South County High School.