Arkansas State Tournament Preview: 6A
May 9, 2022
Prep Baseball Report Arkansas has been all over the State the past few months scouting and covering games bringing you the most comprehensive High School baseball coverage. Today we take a look at the teams in 6A with looks at their record, district record, players to watch throughout the postseason, as well as a more in-depth look at each team's season and outlook heading out into the postseason. Follow us on twitter @PBR_Arkansas as we cover games throughout the next two weeks until the final dog pile of the season.
ROGERS
OVERALL RECORD: 23-5
DISTRICT RECORD: 13-1
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kade Seldomridge, 2022, OF, Central Arkansas
Ty Frakes, 2022, 1B, Eastern Oklahoma State University
Noah Goodshield, 2022, SS, Labette Community College
Eli Marcotte, 2022, C, Northern Colorado
Braxton Haywood, 2022, Labette Community College
Ty Anderson, 2024 LHP, Uncommitted
Madden Dillard, 2023 LHP, Uncommitted
Gael Salinas, 2023, OF, Uncommitted
Findley Bunch, 2022, OF, Uncommitted
Josh Lawing, 2022, 3b/RHP, Uncommitted
Wire to wire #1 seed and has proven they are the team to beat as they embark on their State title defense. Lead by a solid group of Seniors that can pitch and play defense, the Mounties have proven that you will have to beat them as they do all three facets of the game well.
Harber wildcats
OVERALL RECORD: 24-7
DISTRICT RECORD: 10-4
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cooper Dossett, RHP/OF 2022, University of Arkansas
Ross Felder, 2024, RHP/INF, University of Arkansas
Kaleb Kellar, 2023, INF, Little Rock
Ethan Fender, 2022, INF, Arkansas State University
Clark Jenkins, 2022, OF, Arkansas State University
Drue McClendon, 2022, OF, Uncommitted
Gavin Moore, 2024, RHP, Uncommitted
Austin Jones, 2023, RHP, Uncommitted
Ty Ridley, 2023, RHP, Uncommitted
The Wildcats have one of the most devastating 1-2 punches with Dossett and Fender and look to get back to the state championship game after another successful season. Drawing the winner of the Bentonville West Cabot game, Wildcats will lean on pitching and defense to get to the title game. Offensively Kellar gets them to go and the middle of the order with Dossett, Fender, Felder, Jenkins, and McClendon make it a tough lineup to navigate. Pitching depth is key for the Wildcats as Moore, Jones, and Ridley have pitched big innings in relief and have plenty of experience to finish off games. With last years experience, Har-Ber has plenty of firepower to be a legitimate threat this week.
ft smith southside
OVERALL RECORD: 19-10
DISTRICT RECORD: 7-7
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Zeb Allen, 2022, OF, Central Arkansas
Kent Carlisle, 2022, INF, Central Arkansas
David Sorg, 2023, INF/RHP, Oklahoma
Braxton Waller, 2022, INF/RHP, Hendrix College
Lucas Jackson, 2023, C, Uncommitted
Ty Wiley, 2022, Carl Albert CC
Ben Beland, 2023, OF, Uncommitted
Southside comes in as the 3 seed and plays cross town rivals in game 1. First time in the tournament since 2017 a deep and experienced team looks to make some noise in the state tournament. Southside has plenty of depth on the mound and offense to go with it. After having an injury riddled 2021 the Mavericks are ready to make a run at a state title.
Bentonville
OVERALL RECORD: 19-10
DISTRICT RECORD: 6-8
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bryce Parlin, 2022, RHP, Central Arkansas
Zac Sohosky, 2022, LHP, Rhodes College
Ethan Arnold, 2022, INF/RHP, Benedictine College
Luke Crumpler, 2022, INF, Rich Mountain CC
Stephon Gryskiewicz, 2023, DH, Arkansas State
Kieper Pate, 2022, OF, San Jacinto
Drew Wright, 2022, INF, Labette CC
Bentonville has a solid 1-2 punch and plays strong defense. Offensively they show bursts of danger and can be a team that gets hot offensively and runs through the tournament. Sohosky is one of the top arms in the state and always gives the Tigers a shot to win and Parlin is coming off a must win in his last outing throwing a shutout to get the tigers into the tournament. Bentonville is a scary team as they have everything they need to make a run at the title.
Rogers Heritage
OVERALL RECORD: 17-12
DISTRICT RECORD: 6-8
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Coleman MaCrae, 2022, RHP, Central Arkansas
Aden Almeida, 2022, RHP, Rich Mountain
Brady Laird, 2022, RHP Arkansas Tech
Quentin Edwards, 2022, INF Labette Community College
Tyler Jouett, 2022, OF, Southern Arkansas CC
Michael Johannsen, 2022, INF, Southern Arkansas Univ.
Bennett Crafton, 2024, OF, Uncommitted
Jack Hamm, 2024, INF, Uncommitted
One of the hottest teams down the stretch having to win series to get into the tournament, the war eagles ride the arm of Coleman Macrae. Drawing perennial powerhouse Bryant in round 1 makes for a big matchup for the War Eagles with a potential rematch with cross town rival and defending state champions Rogers in Round 2.
Bentonville West
OVERALL RECORD: 17-12
DISTRICT RECORD: 6-8
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aaron Arnold, 2022, RHP/3B, Arkansas
Josh Wacaser, 2022, INF, National Park
Ty Durham, 2023, OF, Southern Miss
Landon Grigg, 2022, RHP, Crowder
Hunter Guill, 2022, 1B, National Park
Cole Kitchens, 2022, RHP, Crowder
Dakota Gaines,2022, C, Uncommitted
After a mid season slump the Wolverines could be one of the hottest teams in the tournament. They have depth on the mound and the offense to back up the pitching depth. This is a team that is capable of winning a state title and have been playing like it of late. Led by a bunch of upper classmen the Wolverines a poised to make life difficult for their opponents.
Catholic
OVERALL RECORD: 21-6
DISTRICT RECORD: 12-2
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kade Cartwright, 2022, 3B/ RHP, Arkansas Tech
Lucas Greer, 2022, RHP, Central Arkansas
Luke George, 2022, C, Bossier Paris CC
Grant Hodge, 2022, RHP/DH, Uncommitted
Davis Ford, 2b, 2022
Caleb Collins, CF
Camden Tanner, 1B, 2022
Whit Knisley, ss, 2022
Cooper McDaniel, 2022, OF
Catholic's one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament. Depth on the mound and Lucas Greer pitching against someone's number 2 makes it a difficult task for whomever they face. Not only can Catholic pitch it but they also have the offense to bang out runs in a hitting friendly ballpark. Catholic is one of the most complete teams in the tournament and will be one of the sure bet teams to see in the Saturday semifinal.
Conway
OVERALL RECORD: 16-9
DISTRICT RECORD: 11-3
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin Rainey, 2022, LHP, Rich Mountain
Logan French, 2022, OF
Tucker Satterfield, 2024
Prestyn Ribbing, 2024, 3B
Logan French, 2022
Zachary Szuba
Conway has proven to be one of the top teams in the state and with their three headed monster on the mound it looks to be a tough draw for whomever they get on day 2. One would assume Austin Rainey will get the ball in game 1 and all their arms are used to pitching in relief so their pitching and their left handed hitting offense will be a tough match for whomever they get. The central has plenty of depth and Conway has pitched it and scored it all season long.
Cabot
OVERALL RECORD: 19-7
DISTRICT RECORD: 11-3
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Grant Fitch, 2022, OF, Arkansas State
Hayden Prewitt, 2022, SS, SAU Tech
Kolby Webb, 2022, 1B Rich Mountain
Conner Titus, 2022, OF/C, Highland CC
Austin Ryals, 2022
Cabot tied for second and pulls the 3 seed but is no stranger to post season success. A nice mix of young talent with old talent, the Panthers look to make another run through the state tournament. Aden Velasquez looks to be the game 1 starter and he has proven to be a big game pitcher for Cabot. First round matchup with Bentonville West should be a solid pitchers dual to finish day 1.
Bryant
OVERALL RECORD: 15-13
DISTRICT RECORD: 7-7
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Turner Seelinger, 2022, Crowder JCGideon Moates, 2024 ,LHP/1B. Arkansas
Kade Ruffner, 2022, RHP, Purdue
Logan White,2022, RHP/OF, Southern Arkansas University
Colby Morrow 2022, Crowder College
Perennial 6 A powerhouse has had a doctor Jekyll Mr. Hyde type season but don't count out the Hornets as they have shown that they are always a team at title time to turn it on. Offense can explode at any point and has put up some big runs. Pitching has depth and command in the zone has been the Achilles heal lately, but with the arsenal of arms for the Hornets they are plenty deep enough to find themselves in the final two.
North Little rock
OVERALL RECORD: 15-13
DISTRICT RECORD: 7-7
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Trevor Flake, MIF, 2022, Rich Mountain
Jaylon Johnson, MIF, 2022, Southern Arkansas Tech
Jordan Kelly, 2022, RHP, Little Rock
Gavin Amberg, RHP/INF, 2023, Crowder College
No stranger to post season heroics, the Wildcats look to do it again. This time they won't be sneaking up on anyone as the entire field is aware of NLR postseason capabilities. Jackson Estes is a young arm that can pitch to go along with Junior RHP Gavin Amberg and Senior RHP Jordan Kelly. NLR has done it before and don't be surprised if they show up and make some noise as in years past.Ft Smith northside
OVERALL RECORD: 11-18
DISTRICT RECORD: 5-9
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jayden Dilworth, OF
Logan Lundquist, INF
Will Rollans, C
Jett Frazier, RHP/INF, Arkansas Tech
Second straight season in the State tournament, having enough experience to make a run. Northside knows their enemy well being cross town rivals. Talk about a big time matchup with the same city matching up in game one you can bet there will be some energy in the air. With plenty of experience look for Northside to make some noise in their state tournament run.