Combine Academy made the short trip over to Charlotte Christian on Wednesday night to square off against the Knights.  A game that featured two teams with deep and talented rosters, would see the power arms of Combine Academy outlast Charlotte Christian. 

Charlotte Christian made noise in the 1^st inning when leadoff hitter JD Suarez (SS, 2021) blasted the first pitch he saw over the right field fence, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead.  Combine starter, Alabama commit, Austin Williamson (RHP, 2022) would settle in after that at-bat only allowing 4 more hits, while striking out 10 in his 6 innings of work.

Charlotte Christian starter Wesley Jones (RHP, 2023) worked to match Williamson through the first three frames.  In the 3^rd, Aidan Paradine hit a hard line drive off of Jones foot.  Jones would stay in the game, but in the 4^th, with the lineup also getting a second look at him, Combine would begin to dial in.  David Zamora (3B/C, 2021) would single to start the inning.  Milan Prokop (2B, 2022) doubled to left center, tying the game at one apiece.  A single, walk, and hit-by-pitch would give Combine their lead, and they would go on to add two more in the frame.

In the bottom of the 4^th, Charlotte Christian showed some life with Calvert Clark (RHP/OF, 2022) hitting a towering HR to left to leadoff the inning.  In the 6^th, up 5-2, Combine would put the game away.  JP Cunningham (OF, 2022) led off with a walk, followed by a single from Aidan Evans (OF, 2021).  With two on, Zamora would put the game out of reach with a blast over the trees in left field.

Combine’s arms combined to strike out 11, while only walking 1.  Both Williamson and Caleb Ketchie (RHP, 2021) were very impressive and were able to attack the Knights lineup with a mixture of 90+ mph fastballs paired with solid breaking balls.

 

Scout Blog

 

Combine Academy

JP Cunningham, OF, 2022
Clemson commit.  Athletic and wiry strong in an average to small frame.  Shows quickness with the bat.  Saw offspeed early and was able to stay on his plan.  Swing can have some length at times, but the hands are strong and can adjust to velocity.

Keegan Knutson, SS, 2021
South Carolina commit.  Strong, athletic 5-foot-10, 170 pounds.  Lacks a true plus skill but does everything well.  Plays with pace.  Good bend in the hips with rhythm in the hands and feet at SS.  Enough arm to stay on the left side moving forward.  Tall stance and vertical bat.  Has barrel feel, working for extension.  Competitive at-bats throughout the night.

Austin Williamson, RHP, 2022
Alabama commit.  Strong, durable frame at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds.  Easy arm swing working to a high-3/4 slot.  Simple setup and turn, lifting to the mid-chest.  Works level and on-line, landing square with the foot-strike.  Fastball sat