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Player Spotlight: LHP Austin Bennett (Wenztville-Holt, 2015)

July 23, 2014

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

LHP Austin Bennett (Wenzville-Holt, 2015) is putting some numbers that would make any college recruiter take notice.  During the spring season, the 6-foot-3 225-pound southpaw, had a 2.83 ERA in 42.1 innings pitched and finished with a 7-2 record.  Not only did he lead the Indians in innings pitched, he also tallied 38 stikeouts to lead his team.  At the plate, he was one of the top power hitters in the St. Louis area, cranking seven home runs, with a .382 batting average and an .809 slugging percentage.  He led Holt to a 17-10 record in 2014 picking up Second Team All-District honors as an infielder.  The Indians fell short to eventual state runner-up Francis Howell in district play.  

His success has carried over this summer.  For the Rawlings Prospects-Loggins, Bennett just finished the WWBA Championships in East Cobb, Georgia with a 2-0 record on the mound, bot complete game shutouts. He struck-out 14 batters in 12 innings.  At the plate, Bennett was 5-for-11, with one home run, a pair of doubles and posted a .900 slugging percentage.  Bennett will be taking a 7-0 summer record into Joplin this weekend for the Premier Championships.

In February, at PBR's St. Louis Metro All-State Showcase, Bennett was 80-83 with his fastball and showed a 2/8 shaped curveball with a sharp late break at 76-78 MPH. He had good feel for his change-up at 74-75 MPH with arm side release.  

Here is a look into Bennett's recruiting process.    

PBR: What schools have expressed interest in you?

Bennett: Morehead State, SIU-E, Bradley and Truman State

PBR: Have you taken any visits, or have any visits scheduled in the near future? If so, what schools, and how recently?

Bennett: I visited Morehead earlier this year and plan to visit SIU-E and others soon

PBR: Are you looking for anything in particular in a school? (Example: high academics, certain academic program, local, etc.)

Bennett: High academics and a solid Baseball program where I have a chance to play right away

PBR: How did you do your junior year? What were your high school statistics? And how did your team do?

Bennett: I had a good Junior year at Holt High School.  My pitching record was 7-2, with a 4:1 Strikeout to walk ratio.  Hitting, I had a .382 average with a .494 OB %, .809 Slugging %, and 7 HRs.  

At Holt we were 17-10, finished 2nd in Conference, and lost in the last inning to State Runner Up, Francis Howell in District play.  We had a nice win over State Champion Rock Bridge.

PBR: What are your goals for your senior season?

Bennett: My team goals are to win state.  I want to go further than my dad (he pitched in the Final Four in 1884.  My personal goals are to win 10 games and keep my ERA under 1.5 next spring.  I also want to break the school record in home runs (13), have over a .400 batting average and be selected All-State.

PBR: What travel team do you play for? Are you playing fall ball with a team?

Bennett: I play for St. Louis Rawlings Prospects - Loggins during the summer.

PBR: Do you play any other sports?

Bennett: I also play Football

PBR: What are your ACT and GPA? 

Bennett:  My GPA is 3.57, and my  ACT score is 24

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