All-Tidewater Baseball Player of the Year: First Colonial’s Keegan Haesler helped lead Patriots to state title

VIRGINIA BEACH — Prior to this season, First Colonial High hadn’t won a state title since 1993.

All of the players in the program knew this, including junior outfielder/first baseman Keegan Haesler.

He set out to change it.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder and first baseman did just that as he hit .486 with 47 hits, 34 runs, 24 stolen bases and 22 RBIs to help lead the Patriots to their first state title in 31 years. He also had a .565 on-base percentage with 14 walks, 12 doubles, two triples and two home runs.

“Keegan is one of the best players I have ever coached,” said Patriots coach Scott Stubbe. “He is a great teammate and constant leader on the field. He competes at the highest level in all parts of the game on offense, defense and on the bases. I’m not sure if we win the state title this year without him. My coaches and I constantly talk about how invaluable he is to our team and would be on any team.”

Haesler is First Colonial’s first All-Tidewater Baseball Player of the Year since Frank Berry in 2006.

Other coaches also knew how important Haesler was to the Patriots as he was named the Class 5 Player of the Year and the Class 5 Region A Player of the Year.

Stubbe said he hopes this season will help Haesler and his son, Wes, get more interest from colleges.

“He and Wes are both still uncommitted,” he said. “I hope this year gets them more attention. They both can help a lot of programs.”

Stubbe said Haesler really turned things around during the Patriots’ playoff push.

“He had big hits for us all year, including nine two-out RBIs,” Stubbe said. “He hit .545 over the last 10 games. His defensive versatility and baserunning skills helped make us a better team. And whether he is at first base or in the outfield, his defense often ends up being a game-changer. We also wouldn’t be where we are without him.”

Haesler’s career totals include a .403 batting average, 59 runs, 34 RBIs and 37 stolen bases.

The good news for Stubbe and the Patriots is they will have Haesler for another season.

“He is a top-notch person, great character,” Stubbe said about Haesler, who also plays basketball for the Patriots and has a 3.5 grade-point average. “I can’t say enough (about him).”

All-Tidewater Baseball Players of the Year

2024 – Keegan Haesler, First Colonial

2023 – Tanner Schaedel, Cape Henry

2022 – Clay Grady, Nansemond River

2021 – Ethan Ott, Greenbrier Christian

2020 – Season canceled due to pandemic

2019 – Mason Dunaway, Hickory

2018 – Danny Connolly, Ocean Lakes

2017 – Hunter Gregory, Hickory

2016 – Michael Blanchard, Nansemond River

2015 – Connor Eason, Hickory

2014 – Zach Rutherford, Western Branch

2013 – Connor Jones, Great Bridge

2012 – Mitch Moynihan, Kellam

2011 – Justin Lee, Great Bridge

2010 – Nick Thompson, Western Branch

2009 – Chris Taylor, Cox

2008 – Gary Ward, Hickory

2007 – Neil Ramirez, Kempsville

2006 – Frank Berry, First Colonial

2005 – Justin Upton, Great Bridge

2004 – Justin Upton, Great Bridge

2003 – J.D. Wyatt, Great Bridge

2002 – B.J. Upton, Greenbrier Christian

2001 – David Wright, Hickory

2000 – Kurt Isenberg, First Colonial

1999 – Kurt Isenberg, First Colonial

1998 – Thom Ott, Greenbrier Christian

1997 – Mike Cuddyer, Great Bridge

1996 – Jason Dubois, Cox

1995 – Chris Elmore, Green Run

1994 – Jimmy Anderson, Western Branch

1993 – Nathan Thomas, First Colonial