Central Arkansas Invitational Recap

March 24, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The Central Arkansas Invitational, concluded with Conway HS defeating Springdale HS 5-2 in the championship game hosted at Benton HS.

The week was jam packed with prospects from every class, and from 4 different classifications. Below is a few take things I took away from the three days.

Conway, is back, there will not be a letdown after last year’s team lost to Bentonville in 2015 7A State Championship game. That young group of players with potential are beginning to turn into physical players with an advance skill set. A deep pitching staff with 5 quality arms. Offensively they show a tough line up 1-9 with 2017’s MIF Kolby Reck and 2017 Cade Tucker anchoring the middle of the lineup. Depth was key to their success winning 4 games in 3 days.

Springdale will be a state tournament team for the first time in 10 years. Second year head coach Shon Doty has this group believing they can win. That mind set, good middle infield play and quality arms, put this groups stock on the rise. This tournament knocking off 7A State title contender Catholic HS, makes a good case that this group isn’t all hype.

Catholic HS will win with pitching and defense a tough rotation with 2016 LHP Dylon Thompson, 2018 Evan Hiatt and 2018 Hank Hannah. Through the 4 games they gave up a combined 5 runs, without Thompson throwing at all. Offensively, they have serious home run potential but may be feast or famine with home runs.

Benton is a quality veteran club that looks to be on track to contend for the 6A State Title. This group is very offensive and swung the bat well to swing their way to the semi-finals before falling to Conway in a close one.

Greenwood is young but very intriguing with two of the more dynamic underclassmen in the state. 2019 MIF Peyton Holt is a plus defender who has done a quality job from the led off spot. 2018 RHP/CIF Connor Noland is a legit frontline starter on the mound. The surprising thing from this week is how valuable he is from a position player stand point. A solid group of players around those two in 2017 MIF/RHP Cooper Van Kooten, and 2016 OF Jax Burgess. If this teams matures fast enough look out for them in the state tournament.

Little Rock Christian, is a really good baseball team. They went 3-1 playing up in classification. The Warriors throw strikes and defend, giving very little to work with for opponents. 2016 RHP Dylan Hays gives them a stopper at the end of the game.

Sylvan Hills, is along the same lines as Little Rock Christian, a very good baseball team. Solid players 1-9, they may be a year behind LRCA, but should push them if they meet in the State tournament. 2017 MIF Michael Coven and 2016 Mackenzie Seats make up a defensively sound middle infield. 2018 C Nick Farkouri is good enough to anchor the middle of the lineup.

Arkadelphia and Ozark made a strong showing against upper classification. Both teams will be tough competition in the 4A classifications.

Central Arkansas Invitational Recap

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