2018 Nebraska Class A State Tournament Preview
May 11, 2018
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#1 Creighton Prep (22-4) vs. #8 Lincoln Southeast (15-7) 10:00 AM at Werner Park
The Jr. Jays are looking for a 3 peat in the 2018 state tournament and have been the team to beat since the start of the season. They have the states best two-way player in Dylan Phillips (Kansas State, 2018), best catcher in the 2018 class in Owen Richter (Creighton), and two of the more under radar top talents with infielder, Evan Laney and senior, RHP Max Mandall. Lincoln Southeast beat the Jr. Jays early this season in a 1-0 dual between Phillips and Logan Van Treeck (LHP, 2019). Van Treeck no hit the Jr. Jays that night and more than likely will get the ball for the Knights on Saturday morning. Looking back at the last three years, I've only seen one or two guys on the mound beat Prep twice in the same year so I'd expect a bounce back game from the Jr. Jays.
PBR Prediction: Creighton Prep
Twitter Prediction: Creighton Prep 83%
@NebraskaHSBaseball Prediction: Creighton Prep
#4 Omaha Burke (21-4) vs. # 5 Lincoln Southwest (23-6) 1:00 PM at Werner Park
The Bulldogs won the first match up against Silverhawks in the 2018 season by a score of 4-3. Burke came out hot early in the season starting out 11-0 against instate competition while Lincoln Southwest has been hot late winning 8 straight. Burke could go to either of their Southeast CC commits on the mound, Hunter Waugh or Zach Munson, while the Silverhawks could send Hutchinson CC commit, Dawson Linder or senior Jonah Coleman.
PBR Prediction: Lincoln Southwest
Twitter Prediction: Lincoln Southwest 59%
@NebraskaHSBaseball Prediction: Omaha Burke
#3 Millard West (19-7) vs. #6 Elkhorn South (19-8) 4:00 PM at Werner Park
Millard West is 3-0 against Elkhorn South in the 2018 season while Elkhorn South enters their first Class A State Tournament after a dominating win over Grand Island in their district tournament. The Storm will more than likely lean on Wichita State commit, Jake Bunz who has had a strong year (6-1, 2.5 ERA) on the mound while Millard West could throw a variety of arms their senior led staff. There should be loads on talent on the field for both squads with the top 2018 Nebraska draft prospect, Colby Gomes, two of the top 2019s with Sayer Diederich and James Valdivia, and 2020 shortstop, Max Anderson. While their are plenty of big names, this game could come down to some of the quieter stars of the 2018 season like senior catcher Jack Tillman (.329 avg, 18 RBIs) for the Storm or always steady Paul Hinton (.310 avg, 25 hits) and Easton Young (5-0, .43 ERA).
PBR Prediction: Millard West
Twitter Prediction: Millard West 73%
@NebraskaHSBaseball Prediction: Millard West
#2 Millard South (25-4) vs. #7 Grand Island (20-7) 7:00 PM at Werner Park
These two teams haven't met in the 2018 season which makes this match-up much more intriguing then the others on day one of the 2018 State Tournament. We could see a big time pitching match up with Nebraska commits Kyle Perry and Shay Schanaman. Both guys are super competitive, have 86-90 mph fastballs and above average breaking balls. The Islander offense is lead by Kansas outfield commit Casey Burnham (.440 avg. 40 runs) and Creighton commit Cole Evans (.474 avg, 34 RBIs). The Patriots have one of the top middle infield pair in the state with Nebraska commit Drew Gilin (.324, 4 HRs, 29 RBIs) and Jake Gish (.323, 7 HRs, 33 RBIs). The biggest separator in this match up could be the sophomore duo of Drew Wessle (.424 avg, 25 hits) and Noah Greise (.343 avg, 3 HRs) who provided boost in the bottom of the Patriot lineup throughout the 2018 season.
PBR Prediction: Millard South
Twitter Prediction: Millard South 81%
@NebraskaHSBaseball Prediction: Millard South