The second pod at the 2025 National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance and Netting Pros is arguably one of the least experienced pods at the NHSI while also having the most experienced program in the entire event. Both Holly Springs (Holly Springs, N.C.) and Collierville (Collierville, Tenn.) have the opportunity to participate in the NHSI for the first time in their respective programs. Additionally, Poly Prep (Brooklyn, N.Y.) returns to Cary for the first time since 2016 to make its second appearance at the NHSI. With only one year of NHSI experience between the three programs, Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, Calif.) brings plenty of involvement to the table to level it out amongst other pods. Huntington Beach makes its eighth appearance at the NHSI, marking the most amongst all other programs at the 2025 NHSI.

Huntington Beach

The only program in this pod that has multiple years of experience at the NHSI, Huntington Beach first competed at the NHSI in 2015. The Oilers were dominant in their debut, outscoring opponents 30-10, but ultimately dropping in the semifinals to eventual 2015 champs, San Clemente. Huntington’s debut in 2015 ultimately set up the program for more success throughout the years, seeing the Oilers finish atop the podium in 2016 and 2023, marking the third time that a school has repeated as champs at the NHSI. Highlighting the Oilers’ lineup are the Grindlinger brothers: Jared and Trent. The brothers are both USA Baseball alum with Jared being a member of the 2021 12U and 2024 15U National Teams and Trent participating with the 2024 18U National Team. In 2024, both Jared and Trent enjoyed success while representing the stars and stripes. Jared hit at a .692 clip to become the 15U all-time batting average leader while Trent, a Mississippi commit, won a gold medal with the 18U squad at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. With the Grindlinger brothers leading the charge, Head Coach Benji Medure stated this team may be one of the best groups that he has ever coached at Huntington Beach in his 25+ year career and knows his team is ready for a challenge at the NHSI stating, “Our guys are ready for a war and it’s good knowing that none of them are willing to back down.”

Poly Prep

The only other team in Pod 2 with experience at the NHSI is Poly Prep, last seeing action in the event in 2016. Head Coach Matt Roventini and the Blue Devils strive to grow from their last outing after they dropped in the round of 16 to pod mate and eventual 2016 champ Huntington Beach. Despite the loss early in 2016, Poly Prep is prepped to make a deeper run in 2025 with its strong pitching rotation. Justice de Jong and Miguel Sime Jr., are two names that will have batters shaking when they enter the box. De Jong will continue his baseball career as a Blue Devil, making the trip to Durham, N.C., to play at Duke while Sime Jr., known for his power from the mound, is committed to LSU. The right-hander is already clocking in at 99 mph with his fastball consistently blowing by opposing hitters. With a stout defense behind de Jong and Sime Jr., Poly Prep aims to be tough to score on throughout the NHSI.

Collierville

Event debutant Collierville is coming off of a 28-12 season that saw it bow out in the sectional round. Regardless of the shortcoming in 2024, Collierville is returning the bulk of its lineup with a year of experience. Head Coach Jeff Munier’s roster returns nine positional starters and eight pitchers total with five of them being starters. Tennessee commit Ari Bethea is the surefire number one option on Collierville and ranks as one of the best arms in Tennessee. His fastball sits around 92 mph and has a big sweeping slider in the mid-70s. Another DI commit, AJ Greene will be working behind the plate for Collierville. The future Memphis Tiger calls a good game and has good pop at the plate, providing plenty of offense for his side.

Holly Springs

Fellow NHSI newcomer Holly Springs serves as the host for the 2025 event. Like Collierville, the Hawks went on a deep run in the state playoffs where they were defeated in the third round after battling to a 17-11 record throughout the year. Holly Springs returns a deep pitching staff of seven arms that have the experience needed for a run at the NHSI title. Right-hander Jake Cackovic, a UNC commit, stands at 6-foot-7 and serves as an intimidating presence on the mound for the Hawks. On the receiving end of Cackovic’s throws sits Hodge Williams behind the plate. Williams slots in as the starting catcher and is a player that Head Coach Rod Whitesell has a ton of confidence in. Outside of a deep pitching staff and solid catcher, Whitesell acknowledges that his squad is young, but is ultimately looking forward to leading a group that is eager to take on any challenges that the NHSI presents.

Matchup Breakdown

The first opening round matchup sees a round one rematch from the 2016 NSHI that sees Huntington Beach clash with Poly Prep. Poly Prep is likely to give the ball to de Jong or Sime Jr., in hopes of halting Huntington Beach from picking up any steam given its many years of experience at the event. Whether Poly Prep deploys de Jong or Sime Jr., the Huntington Beach Oilers are sure to put up a fight. With the Grindlinger brothers and LSU commit CJ Weinstein, Huntington Beach possesses a lineup filled with players who are capable of putting up offensive numbers to combat Poly Prep’s pristine pitching.

Holly Springs and Collierville are pitted against each other in the second game of the opening round in Pod 2. Both rookies in the event have the opportunity to make a name against an opponent without any NHSI experience, leading to an interesting matchup. Collierville has five returning starters to work with on the mound who are all capable of throwing gems in the first match. Holly Springs also brings a wealth of experience back on the mound from 2024. The Hawks are likely to start a pair of DIII commits in Tyler Dowler and Liam McNierney to man the corner infield. The matchup between the two should be a defensive-heavy battle given the loads of pitching featured on each team.