Prep Baseball Report

First Pitch Classic:



By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The First Pitch Classic will February 26th through March 3rd. The Tournament is a 4 game gaurunatee, and the field is loaded with several of the premiere programs in the state in a multiple classifications.

Host Sites

Springdale High School
: A young team which competes in the 7A West, back to back State Tournament appearances under 2nd Year Head Coach Scott Johnson. Several position players return, as they look to show a potent offense in 2018.

Nettleton High School: A team on the cusp of the State Tournament in 2017, returns the majority of their roster, including 2018 OF/RHP PJ Hilson who has a stock which is rising fast after an impressive summer, and a commitment to Alabama. The Raiders are led by a coach on the rise in Brandon Eller, a young coach with a ton of energy

Russellville High School: Coach McCrotty continues to work to rebuild the program to its glory days, this group will have a slew of youngster which have shown promise. They will be led by 2018 OF Bryson George. George is an advanced athlete with shut down defensive skills in centerfield.

Watson Chapel High School: The Wildcats lost in the opening round of the 5A State Tournament with a team most thought were destined for a 5A State Championship or at least a Baum Stadium appearance. The majority of the roster returns, including 2018 LHP Kaleb Hill. The Ole Miss commit will give them an advantage against anyone in the state, this week will tell a lot of their depth and if they are a legitimate contender for a 5A State title.

Greenwood High School: 2017 6A State semi-finalist, which is returning the core from that roster. They will be led by 2018 RHP/INF Connor Noland, which will be in the running for Arkansas High School player of the year.  Expect the Bulldogs in the mix again for the 6A State Championship.

Maumelle High School: A team that will be looking to make the 5A State Tournament in 2018. They have a chance every time 2018 RHP Connor Mccullough takes the mound. The advanced right-hander is committed to Arkansas, and was one the most dominant arms throughout the summer. The players around McCullough gained valuable experience in 2017, Coach Barrett Davis hopes it pays off this spring.

Monticello High School: The Billies lost a heart-breaker in the 4A State Semi-final to eventual 4A State Champion Nashville. Their roster is for the most part intact and will look to avenge their loss in 2018. They will have a deep pitching staff and several  versatile athletes . 2020 LHP Nick Griffin is a dynamic two way player that will be someone to watch throughout the tournament and the spring.

North Little Rock High School: The Charging Wildcats will be in rebuilding mold after losing a very talented class of seniors in 2017. The do return 2018 RHP Tucker Sparks which has proven to give his team a chance to win on as consistent as any pitcher in the state. He commands the strike zone on all sides of the plate and keeps hitters off balance with a plus change up. There will be new faces littered throughout their lineup but expect this group to be athletic 1-9, as historically that is the case.

These schools will host games on Monday and Tuesday, we will allow for make ups on Wednesday and Thursday before all teams will converge on Little Rock,  for games on Friday and Saturday. Obviously with the tournament being the first week of the season we will monitor and adjust accordingly to get as many games in as possible.

The rest of the field is rounding out by the following schools; As the tournament gets closer we will preview all teams with coaches interviews full rosters and our scout notes over the top players.

Shiloh Christian
Bald Knob
Jonesboro
Brookland
Morrilton
Van Buren
Pottsville
England
Stuttgart
Pulaski Academy
Booneville
Southside
Har-Ber
Estem
Robinson
Cabot
Wynne
Searcy
Little Rock Christian

With the regional sites covering so much territory, we will be looking for volunteers, to help with statistics and other portions of tournament, so we will be able to provide as much coverage to the players as possible.

I would also like to thank Coach Barrett Davis at Maumelle High School and Coach Billy Adams at Pulaski Academy for helping get this tournament and idea of the ground last spring and will continue to work to improve it, as the years move forward.

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