By Brandon Hall
Director of Scouting, PBR NC

Follow us on Twitter: @PrepBaseballNC

 

The beginning of the baseball season is here and what a start it was across North Carolina.  With beautiful weather throughout the pre-season, most teams were close to firing on all cylinders as they opened their year.   At least five no-hitters were recorded in the first week… several walk-off wins for the home team… and prospects turning in performances that made college coaches and pro scouts take note.

Leading the way in the first week is the Prep Baseball Report Player of the Week for North Carolina, Brandon Andrews of Cedar Ridge HS.  Andrews, a Nicholls State commit is a true dual threat that may get that chance at the next level as well.  This week, on the mound, he fired a 5 inning Perfect Game, recording 10 strikeouts.  It only took 48 pitches as Andrews dominated the strike zone and opposing hitters. 

On top of the outing, Andrews also provided a spark at the plate, going 2-6 with a home run.  Cedar Ridge is 2-0 on the young season, thanks in part to the play of this week’s Player of the Week for North Carolina

Prep Baseball Report – North Carolina Player of the Week (Feb 27 – Mar 5)

Brandon Andrews, RHP, Cedar Ridge HS, 2017 (Nicholls St commit)
+ Perfect Game
+ 39 strikes in 48 pitch CG (5 IP), striking out 10
+ 2-6 at the plate: 1B, HR, 3 RBI’s, 2 Runs Scored, and OPS of 1.262

Other Players of Note from Feb 27 – Mar 5, across North Carolina

Colton Cruz, Southern Nash High School, 2018
+  3 Games, Batting Average .778, 7 for 9, 7 Runs, 1 RBI, 2 Doubles, 4 Stolen Bases, 11 Plate Appearances 11 times on base, 7 hits, 2 walks, 1 Fielders Choice, 1 Reached on Error.
+  Pitching 2 Appearances, 2 Innings, 0 hits, 0 Walks, 3 Ks, 1 Save
+  Fielding 8 Putouts, No Errors

Jordan Brinkley, Gates County, 2017 (Shenandoah commit)
+ 3 - 5, DB, 2 HR, BB, 3 RBIs  vs. Hertford County HS 3/7

Jacob Holder, 1B/P, Atkins HS, 2017
+ In 3 games -- batting .800, on base is .857 and slugging .800… 4-4 stolen bases
+ 2 games on the mound this week picking up one win, 5IP, 1.40 ERA, 1 hit, 1BB, 8 K’s

Jesse Dailey, RHP, SS, 1B, Douglas Byrd High School, 2017
+ Pitching: 2 games started, 7 IP, 6 hit, 1 ER, 15 k, 0 bb, 1.00 era
+ Hitting:  5-8 (.625 avg), 7 runs scored, 7 rbi, 1 double, 2 bb, 3-3 stolen base

Zach Brinkley, 2B/3B, West Forsyth HS, 2017
+ .667 batting average through first 3 games, 1 double, .833 slugging, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, 2 walks, 2 stolen bases

Colby Warren, RHP/INF, Roanoke Rapids HS, 2017
+ Hitting Stats:  AVG= .700 (7 for 10) with 1 double, 3 Home runs, and 10 RBI.  Slg Pct= 1.700
+ Pitching Stats:  Record=1-1 with 8 IP, an ERA=0.88, with 12 K's 

Riley Caudle, OF, South View, 2019
+ 6-9 with 4 RBI for the week of 2-28-17 thru 3-4-17.  
+ 2 games against Hoke County

Cole Oxendine, LHP/1B, Apex Friendship School, 2019
+ vs. Fuquay Varina on Tuesday 2/28  3 ip, 2BB, 2 hits, gave up 1 run...
+ vs. Green Hope 2 triples, 3rbi , 2 runs scored, 1BB, 1HBP to help lead Apex Friendship to the win over Green Hope on Friday, March 3.

Colby Emmertz, C, Topsail HS, 2018
+ 4-6 with 2 walks 2 HRs and 7 RBIs

Ryan Anderson, RHP/OF, West Henderson, 2018
+ Pitched a No Hitter in 13-0 win vs. Hendersonville in first game of the season
+ Pitching Line: 5inn, 16 AB, 9 Ks, 0 BB, 0 HBP, 0 Runs, 0 Hits
+ Hitting for the week: 2-4, 1 2B, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs

Colin Smith, C, High Point Central HS, 2018
+ 8 for 11, 5 RBI, 2 2B 
+ 3 games last week vs. Trinity, High Point Wesleyan and West Forsyth

Brandon Bradley, LHP, West Craven HS, 2017
+ 6 IP, 17 k's, no hits, no bb

Grant Eidschun, LHP, East Forsyth, 2018
+ 6.2 innings pitched 0H 0R 0ER 5BB 4K in his first outing for East Forsyth.  Combined no hitter with Sam Peddycord in game 1

Noah Swaney, 2B, South Davidson, 2017
+ 2 games:  3/6 with 2 doubles, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 1 sac, & 1 ROE / Defense 1.000, 9 attempts & 9 outs

Trey Watkins, RHP, Richmond County, 2018
+ 2-0 on the week on the mound
+ 2 innings of relief for win on Monday against Uwharrie Charter
+ 5 inning start against Watauga on Saturday
+ 7 IP....0 R....3 H...12 K...2 BB
+ 1-2 at plate on Saturday as well

Bryce Marsh P/1B, Southwestern Randolph HS, 2018
+ 3-5, 2 1B, 2B, 1R, .571 Avg, 1.143 Slg%
+ Threw 2.0 Inn allowed 2 H 1R and had 5 Ks
+ Fielding 7 TC, 1 A, 6 PO

Jeremiah Locklear, St. Pauls High School, 2020
+ Jeremiah was 2-0 on the week16 K's, 7Hits allowed, 1HBP, 1BB over 9 innings

Conner Harrison, Riverside HS
+ 5-8 last week with a double, run scored, and 8 RBI
+ Pitched 5 innings, posted a win giving up no runs, on 5 hits, and 4 Ks.

Grant Smith, Wake Forest HS, 2017 (Brunswick CC commit)
+ Hit .500 last week,  3 RBIs, SB
+ Recorded a save in 2-1 win vs East Wake.

Timmy Townsend, RHP, Providence HS, 2018
+ 6 innings, 0 runs, 3 hits, 6 K's, in a win vs. Marvin Ridge
+ PBR was on hand and will have more on the NC HS Scout Blog

Kyle Blendinger, RHP, Southwest Guilford, 2017 (North Carolina commit)
+ 1-0 on the mound, 4 innings pitched, 3 hits allowed, 9 K’s, .00 ERA
+ Batting average .600, 3-5 with 2 walks, 3 runs scored, 6 RBI’s

John-Riley Hathcock, RHP, Hickory Ridge HS
+ Tossed a No-Hitter vs Concord

Brett Widerman, SS, Laney High School, 2018
+ 7 for 10, 2b, 3b, 6 RBI's and 4 runs scored

Matias Marchesini-Diaz, RHP, Asheville HS, 2019
+ 7ip 3h 0R 0.00 era 1 Win 0 losses
+ 2-3 with 4 rbi  

Cameron Kepley, RHP, Central Cabarrus HS, 2017 (App State commit)
+ 3.2 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 11 K’s.  Got the win… Part of a combined no-hitter
+ Hit .667 with an OPS of 1.750.  Included a triple, 3 RBI’s and 3 runs scored

Isaac Wier, LHP/OF, Franklin Academy, 2018
+ On the mound, threw a 1 hitter with 1 BB, 11 K’s and 0 ER
+ Hitting: 5-9, 2 double and a triple, 8 RBIs, 5 runs scored, and 3 SBs