Road to Baum: 6A State Tournament Preview

May 8, 2017

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The road to Baum Stadium starts Thursday May 11^th for teams across the state of Arkansas. We will break down all 7 classifications before Thursday. Today we will begin by looking at 6A classification. The tournament will be hosted by Benton High School.

First Round Matchups

4E Marion vs 5S Lake Hamilton

Marion vs Lake Hamilton will be a good first round match up, with two teams trending in the right direction down the stretch, finding a way into the state tournament with a below .500 record on the season. Marion will look to Tony Rudd and Hayden Hodge to get their offense in gear. Rudd has hit .403 on the season with 2 doubles a triple and 10 RBIs, he is a threat to run as he has stolen 10 bases. Hodge hit 360 during the regular season with 23 RBIs 8 doubles, while stealing 16 bags. On the mound expect 2017 RHP Colin Carpenter to get the ball. Carpenter has thrown it well of late, pitching in big wins against Greene County Tech, Valley View and West Memphis. Lake Hamilton will go as far as their dynamic duo will take them. 2017 RHP Zach Ross and 2017 RHP Korey Wasson have been the anchors of this team all season, both on the mound and with the bat. Ross hit .355 with 20 RBIs 7 doubles and 3 home runs. On the mound he has pitched 41 innings with an ERA of 2.73 and 50 strike outs. Wasson has been a steady side kick hitting .347 with 13 RBIs 6 doubles and a triple. On the wound he has an ERA 4.38 with 49 punch outs in 32 innings. If he can command the strike zone consistently he has the stuff, to neutralize any line up.

Pick; I predict that Marion is going to defeat Lake Hamilton in a close game, in round 1. The Patriots have played well of late and have enough experience to get it done in round one.

3S Sheridan vs 6E Searcy

Searcy vs Sheridan; A surprising matchup in the first round as Sheridan was the No.1 seed in the 6A South headed into the district tournament and Searcy was the No.2 seed in the 6A East. Searcy brings a veteran group to the tournament. Their top 4 pitchers in innings pitched are seniors and the top hitters in the lineup are seniors. The most dynamic player on the roster is 2017 CIF/Adrian Hannah. On the mound he has had a good season posting an ERA of 1.61 with 57 strike outs in 52 innings pitched, offensively he is hitting 329 with 16 RBIs 6 doubles and a home run. Sheridan has more depth and experience than any roster in class 6A. On the mound look for 2018 Tyler Cleveland and 2017 RHP David Vilches to be a big part of the run to Baum Stadium on the mound. Cleveland has the ability to locate three pitches for a strike with a mid-80’s fastball. Vilches has power stuff with a fastball that has shown the ability to run up to 90 mph. A wildcard could end up being 2020 RHP Tyler Cacciatori, very talented young arm that may have to log significant innings with 3 games in 3 days. Offensively look for Vilches to anchor the middle of the order, surrounded by several talented players including 2017 INF Nick Whitley, 2017 OF McKinley Williams, and 2018 INF Hunter Hicks. This line up has the ability to be very deep receiving contributions 1-9.

Pick; Sheridan: They took a tumble last week against rival Benton, look for them to bounce back with a competitive week. This 2017 team is one of the best to come through Sheridan, they will compete deep into the tournament.

4W Russellville vs 5E Pine Bluff

A tough game to pick the favorite in the 4 vs 5 matchup. Two teams with similar rosters, both teams have veteran starting pitching with a solid mix of underclassmen into their position players that contribute. Russellville will continue to lean on 2017 RHP Peyton Golden and 2017 Peyton Golden on the mound. Pine Bluff will look to 2017 RHP Jalen Deshazier and 2017 RHP Brandon Little. Both were a big reason why the Zebras advanced to the semi-finals in 2016. Out of the four seniors that could pitch in this match up Deshazier has the best chance to dominant the game on the mound. His fastball works 84-87 with late cut action, he compliments the fastball with an 11/5 curveball. Offensively two names to know for Russellville are 2018 OF Bryson George and 2020 MIF Cole Dawson. Dawson has shown to be a lock down defender at short stop while George has been a catalyst at the top of the lineup. For Pine Bluff Little and Deshazier have been their most productive offensive players, a name to keep an eye for is 2019 Ryan Stinson Jr. A dynamic athlete with bat speed and a feel for the barrel.

Pick; Pine Bluff: Deshazier is too good to pick against, this will be a solid game with it coming down to a critical mistake somewhere throughout the game.

3E Jacksonville vs 6W Arkansas

Jacksonville vs Arkansas; both teams are inexperienced with young players littering both line ups. Jacksonville seems to be growing up as the season moves forward, while Arkansas HS appears the grind of a quick season has worn them down as they have faltered down the stretch. Jacksonville will lean on 2017 RHP Jacob Wickerston on the mound, he has been their guy all year. Offensively look for 2018 OF Game Hensley to set the table for them. Arkansas has some intriguing players with 2019 OF Dillion Browning 2019 CIF Nick Vaughn and 2018 C Austin Nix. Those three guys will have to perform well for the Razorbacks to advance. They will pitch 2018 RHP Dylan Adcock or 2017 RHP Jakob Johnson in round one of the tournament.

Pick; Jacksonville: Coach Larry Burrows is one of the best in business, I expect him to have his group ready to go and advance into the second round.

Byes

1W Greenwood a well-coached group that plays with energy, will be a tough out for anyone. They are led by 2018 RHP/Connor Noland. Noland is a baseball player maybe the best in the state. On the mound he possesses a fastball that works in high-80s and gets into the low 90s. He can command 3 advanced off speed pitches for a strike consistently. Offensively he uses a compact swing with fast bat speed to consistently produce loud contact. Other names to know from Greenwood, will be 2017 RHP/INF Cooper Van Kooten, 2019 MIF Peyton Holt and 2020 OF/INF Coltent Sagely. Van Kooten is similar to Noland, as he is a consistent contributor on the mound and in the field. Sagely and Holt are advanced athletes that can create offense at the top of the order.

2E Mountain Home

A repeat of 2016 so far; the Bombers struggled in the regular season earning the No.7 in the district tournament. However Coach Tejech knows how to push the post season buttons, and they are in a prime spot to make a run back to Baum Stadium where they finished the 2016 as Runner-up to Jonesboro. Names to know for Mountain Home, 2018 Gage McClain and 2017 Mashall Roberson lead this group in innings pitched as they compete in the strike zone consistently with 2 pitches. Offensively they have a young group that is hitting .250 as a club but numbers have improved lately as they have made their run into the tournament

1E Jonesboro

Jonesboro is the 2016 6A defending state champion and for much of 2017 they have looked like a team destine to repeat or at least be on the field for the final contest of the season. 2019 RHP Zane Ryne Neves has developed into a true No.1. After Neves they rely on several talented arms that provide the depth needed to make a run. Offensively look for 2018 OF Cameron Poston and 2019 Logan Orr to cause some damage for them. Both players attack the baseball with fast bat speed. Overall a talented group, that looks like they are ready for a trip to Baum Stadium.

2W Benton

Benton defeated rival Sheridan last week to secure a No.2 seed in the tournament and a first round by. This team suddenly went to a contender for the state title as they have some talented pitching, maybe not enough to challenge in three games but by taking the No.2 seed it is feasible. 2017 RHP Ross Carver is their No.1 on the mound. He possesses advanced arm strength with a feel for the strike zone with a sharp breaking pitch. Offensively they are a young group which is growing up right in front of Coach Balistreri’s eyes.

Finals Pick; Greenwood vs Jonesboro; Jonesboro has been dominant all year I don’t see them faltering in the state tournament. I give Greenwood the advantage in the semi-finals verses Sheridan, with main advantage Greenwood has as the bye on Thursday, therefore they will be fresher on the mound.

Pick to win it: Greenwood, takes the 2017 6A State Championship Game, in close contest. I am picking Greenwood, with Connor Noland on the mound because he has advanced stuff and is highly competitive. Zane Ryne Neves will turn it into pitchers dual.

Sleeper Pick; Pine Bluff; The Zebras have the experience from 2016. Their two veteran arms will give them a chance if they can defend enough behind them. Offensively they will have to stay disciplined and execute to manufacture a few runs, if they are to beat anyone.

Road to Baum: 6A State Tournament Preview

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