Prep Baseball Report

Scouting Notes: Gene Schultz Memorial Tournament (Day 2)



By Jake Oswalt
Central PA Area Scout

Jordan McCallHollidaysburg advanced to the championship game of the 3rd Annual Gene Schultz Memorial Baseball Tournament with a solid, all-around 10-0 win over Westmont. Sophomore RHP Jordan McCall scattered four singles, struck out three and did not walk a hitter in his complete game effort. McCall also went 2-for-3 at the plate, helping his own cause.

Junior DH Andy Crum led the offense going 3-for-4 with two RBI, two runs scored and a triple. Pitt-bound senior SS Brett Hileman went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI.

Hollidaysburg scored two runs each in the first and third innings thanks to a Hileman RBI triple to right-center field, a Thayne Russell sacrifice fly and scoring two runs on wild pitches. The Tigers (6-1) added a run in the fifth and broke the game open with a 5-spot in the top of the seventh highlighted by Crum's two-run triple to deep right field.

+ Hileman showed his tool box on Saturday in a variety of ways. In the first inning, he blasted a hanging changeup to right-center for an RBI triple. In his next at-bat, Hileman lined another hanging changeup off the right field fence for a leadoff double. The lefty features an open stance and an advanced approach at the plate. Westmont pitching threw a lot of curveballs and changeups to keep Hileman off the fastball. The Pitt signee laid off the curveballs in the dirt and took advantage of mistakes in the zone. At shortstop, Hileman showed the agility and athleticism to play the position at the next level. He features a strong throwing arm and made a highlight play on a short hop hit to him. 

+ Crum impressed at the plate Saturday, after throwing a no-hitter earlier in the week. He has an open and crouched stance that uses a toe tap to trigger. Crum features a quick bat and the ability to turn on inside fastballs. On an 0-1 count, Crum lined a pitch back up the middle, showcasing his quick hands and bat speed. In the sixth, Crum lined a 2-1 inside fastball to left field. The most impressive at-bat came in the seventh when Crum crushed a 1-1 slider over the right fielder for a two-run triple.

+ OF Adam Fluke (2014) is another Hollidaysburg prospect to keep an eye on. Fluke is a left-handed hitter who is a perfect leadoff man at the top of the Tigers’ offense. Fluke showed the patience to walk three times and also steal second in the first inning. He also showed great range on the last play of the game. Fluke went back to his left on a deep drive to right-center, a play few can make in the spacious right-center field of Point Stadium. He delivered a 3-for-4 performance at the plate in the championship game.

+ Sophomore RHP Jordan McCall was sensational in his complete game victory Saturday. McCall shows an advanced feel for pitching, throwing all three of his pitches for strikes, and changing the eye level of the hitters. McCall has a deliberate delivery that allows him to stay in control throughout the windup. He pounded the outside corner to right-handed hitters, daring the hitters to beat him the other way. McCall showed confidence in his curveball, throwing a few of them for first pitch strikes to keep Westmont hitters at bay the whole day.

Sipes+ Junior 2B Trent Sipes displayed his strong defense on Saturday. Sipes showed great range by going to his right to field a ball, stepped on the bag and turned two making the play look much easier than it should. The junior later went to his left and kept the ball in the infield on a ball destined for the outfield.

+ Westmont sophomore RHP Noah Gordon showed potential against a deep Hollidaysburg lineup. Gordon has a big frame that should add velocity as he matures throughout his high school career. He has an Ubaldo Jimenez-like delivery that adds deception for the hitter. Gordon’s 3/4 motion begins with his throwing hand coming out of the glove early but stays behind his back right leg to hide the ball. For a sophomore, Gordon showed confidence in his curveball and changeup. His 11/5 curveball has some good bite and the young prospect had the confidence to throw his changeup in nearly any count.

+ Westmont junior 2B Brandon Leech had a solid afternoon on Saturday assisting on four plays. He also had the at-bat of the game, fouling off four pitches with two strikes and winning the battle with a line drive to right-center for a single in the sixth inning.

additional pa news: