6A Central Season Preview

February 15, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

6A Central

An underrated but strong group that sometimes gets over shadowed due to playing in the combination conference of the 7A with Bryant, Conway, and Catholic. This half of the league is tough in their own right with all three teams that advanced to the state tournament in 2015 won at least one game.

Pitching

Alma: 2016 Cameron Ogilvie will led the Airdales pitching staff in 2016. The senior will have some depth to help carry the load with juniors Kyle McKeown and Lane Caldwell. Two young arms will get in the mix with contributions expected by Brayden Johnson and Parker Edwards.

Greenwood: As it did in 2015, the pitching rotation will start with 2018 RHP Connor Noland. Noland is an advanced pitcher with an upper 80’s fastball and solid secondary stuff. Unlike last year I look for the Bulldogs to be deeper on the mound with some young arms growing up and a 2016 new addition.

Russellville: The Cyclones will have a tough task in 2016 replacing 2015 RHP Mark Moyer, who lead them to a state title in 2014 and to the semi-finals in 2015. They should roll out competitive arms, but it will be intriguing to see who jumps into that No. 1 slot.

Siloam Springs: A pitching staff that returns most key contributors from 2015. As this pitching staff gains experience I expect improved results. Look for the Panthers to compete on a consistent basis.

Hitting

Alma: A veteran group that should play a line up filled with upper classmen, look poised to make some noise in 2016. They will look to 2015 All-State and All-Conference performer Dylan Brown to lead this offensive attack. Other contributors should be, 2016 Judah Dean, 2016 Dillion Majors, 2016 Drake Pendergraft and 2017 Keesler Nye.

Greenwood: Offensively the Bulldogs should be improved as well, under second year head coach Trey Holloway. As Noland did as freshman expect 2019 MIF Peyton Holt to have immediate impact. Holt is a competitive player with fast bat speed and line swing, which should be a solid led off hitter. Other players to watch include. 2016 OF Jax Burgess, 2017 Cooper Van Kooten, and 2018 Ryan Daggs. All players stock has been on the rise lately and don’t see them slowing down anytime soon.

Russellville: Coach Will McCrotty enters his first season as the head coach at Russellville. Coach McCrotty turned Dardnelle’s program into a 4A regional contender with a strong offense. I look for him to mold this young group into a tough unit one through nine.

Siloam Springs: A group with a lot of experience, the Panthers will compete from top to bottom in their lineup. They should be a versatile group with ability to manufacture runs or have the ability to play station to station baseball.

Overall

I think this will be a tight race to see who gets into the state tournament at Sheridan High School. Pre-season I am picking Greenwood, Alma and Russellville to represent the 6A Central. It wouldn’t surprise me if the experience from 2015 pays off for Siloam Springs and they make an upset or two along the way and steal spot, but right now I side with tradition.

Pick

My pick for the 6A Central is the Greenwood Bulldogs. Defensively they should be strong in the middle of the field defensively with 2016 Jax Burgess roaming centerfield. 2019 Peyton Holt is a polished middle infield and will play a more than steady shortstop. Their pitching staff will be led by one of the top young arms in the state with 2018 RHP Connor Noland. A very deep team that should be primed to make a run in the state tournament.

6A Central Season Preview

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