Battle of the Borders Recap: Day 1

September 10, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

20 players from Arkansas combined to make up the Battle of the Borders Roster, that is competing in Dallas this week. Arkansas Prospects owner Andy Menard put this roster together which is comprised of players from Arkansas Prospects, East Coast Baseball, EM Majors, Extra Innings Sticks, Perfect Timing Baseball and Southern Athletics Baseball. This roster is comprised of some of the top players in 2017-2020 classes. Coach Menard looks to have put together the right mix as Team Arkansas won their first two games on Friday.

Team Arkansas 6 vs Team Oklahoma 1

Team Arkansas received a big day offensively from the middle of their order as the No. 3, No.4 and No. 5 hitters in the line up combined for 5 hits and 4 RBIs. The middle of the order was comprised of 2017 MIF Casey Martin ( Arkansas commit) 2017 3B Paxton Wallace ( Wichita commit) and 2017 INF Logan Easley (Wichita commit).

The trio gave enough run support to hand things over to the capable pitching staff which consisted of 2018 RHP Bennett Shoptaw and 2017 RHP Ross Carver. Shoptaw pitched 3 innings allowing just 3 hits, with 1 strike out with out allowing a run. Carver relieved Shoptaw in the 4^th and pitched 4 innings allowing 3 hits and 1 un earned run.

2019 C/CIF Cason Tollett made a notable defensive play diving into a dug out to catch a ball in the 7^th, to help secure the win.

Team Arkansas 3 vs Team AABC 1

2018 LHP Kaleb Hill pitched a solid 5 innings for Team Arkansas to pick up the win. Hill sit the tone in the first striking out the side. He cruised from their allowing just one unearned run while striking out a total of 6. He handed the ball over to 2018 RHP Will Richardson who struck out 3 picking up a two inning save.

With the pitching staff holding down Team AABC, the offensive didn’t have to supply much. 2017 3B Paxton Wallace and 2017 INF Logan Easley continued their big days. Wallace had a 2 RBI triple while, Easley added an RBI single. 2018 MIF Pate Fullerton had a solid day, with adding two singles as well.

Team Arkansas will compete again today at 7:00 PM vs Team New Mexico. They will start 2018 LHP Evan Hiatt. With a win tonight they will advance to the finals on Sunday.