- Day 1 - 

The SCHSL season kicked off on Friday, with preseason tournaments getting underway across the state. Weather is almost always a factor this time of year and several teams and events across the state already adjusting this weeks schedule. Fortunately for the teams participating in this inaugural event,  the Shipyard/PBR Showdown is set to take place on the two AstroTurf fields at Shipyard Park. 

The tournament field features five teams from across the state that represent 3 different classifications and amassed a total of 88 wins in 2018. The McBee Panthers come into the event as the defending 1A State Champions and the Indian Land Warriors and Nation Ford Falcons are both coming off of playoff runs that saw them reach the Upper State finals in 3A and 5A respectfully. 

Kicking off our coverage we take a look at some scores, highlights, and top prospects from Day 1 of the event. 

 

Game 1 - NATION FORD vs. McBEE
Jeffrey Maidhof (RHP, 2019) vs. Clark Kirkley (RHP, 2019) 

McBee	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	1	1
Nation Ford	0	0	1	0	0	0	X		1	2	1

Game one was an all out pitchers dual as Jeffrey Maidhof and Clark Kirkley battled back and forth for 7 strong innings. Maidhof (Queens Recruit) countered the strong effort from Kirkley throwing 7 innings and allowing 1 hit with 0 walks, and 9 Ks. His best fastball was an 89 mph bolt in his 6th inning of work. He made efficient clean work of the Panthers line up by getting ahead early and using a solid breaking ball when he needed to. Connor Kirkley threw a gem of his own only allowing 2 hits through his 6 innings of work, showcasing a heavy fastball that was up to 81 and a mix of sliders and change ups to keep the Falcon hitters off balance. The only laps for the Panthers was a third inning walk and a fading line drive from Tyler Causey that dropped after an attempted diving play in left field, scoring the Falcons only and decisive run. 

* TOP PROSPECTS *

Jeffery Maidhof (RHP, Nation Ford, 2019) Queens University Recruit. The physical, inning-eating frame will support additional lean mass and strength as he develops. The arm action is clean and the delivery is repeatable with moderate effort. Rode the fastball up to 89 but consistently worked between 86-88. Showcased both a SL (75-77) and a CB (72-74) with the SL being the better offering with 10/4 shape and bite. 

 

 

Justin Lehman (C, Nation Ford, 2021) Uncommitted. Athletic catcher was down to a 2.06 pop time. Collected the first hit for the Nation Ford Falcons, a single back up the middle, and then grounded out to 1B. Block and recover skills are solid-average and the athleticism will fair him fell in the future as he adds functional strength. 

Clark Kirkley (RHP, McBee, 2019) Uncommitted. Larger frame with a high 3/4 arm slot. Controlled the fast ball down in the zone ranging from 78-81 with ASR. Got his share of weak ground ball contact. Off-speed offerings kept hitters off balance, used a three pitch mix highlighted by a sweeping SL with slurve shape. Works across his line and creates some angle, worked both the first base and third sides extended on the rubber. 

Connor Kirkley (SS, McBee, 2019) Coastal Carolina Recruit. Rangy IF that profiles more as a second baseman as he develops. Quick footwork and solid hands play well up the middle. Quick reads and good first step quickness help him play himself into a good fielding position consistently. Advanced approach at the plate with good strike zone discipline. Showed a line drive approach with pull side tendencies, multiple quality ABs and hard contact in two games.

 

 

McIver Wallace (3B/C, McBee, 2020) Uncommitted. Athletic look with the ability to play down the line from C/3B to a corner OF position as he matures. Not a burner but runs well when he gets underway. LHH with some whip to the barrel and a simple toe tap load. There is loft in the bat path and enough bat speed to generate gap to gap pop. The strong frame plays well behind the plate and is silky smooth at 3rd. Present arm strength will allow him to play either position and will only get better with time. 

 

 

Tyler Causey (SS/3B, Nation Ford, 2019) North Carolina Recruit. The Super 60 participant made a handful of rangy plays at SS, showing off a recent uptick in arm strength. The actions are still somewhat lengthy and can get out of control at times. But it is only getting better each time we see him. Hunted some balls with intent today and laced a double to left field under the glove of a diving outfielder. High ceiling and trending up. 

 

Game 2 - INDIAN LAND vs. STRATFORD
Kyle Raynor (RHP/SS, 2020) vs. Robbie Fleming (LHP, 2020)

Indian Land	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		1	8	2
Stratford	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1		2	11	0

 

In the second of the 4:00 games the Warriors from Indian Land took on the Knights from Stratford. Raynor and Fleming both turned in quality starts with solid location and defense being played on both sides. Offense was scattered with Stratford putting a run on the board in the first on a misplayed ball in LF that turned a Dylan Stewart single into a triple, he would eventually score on a pick off & successful 1st & 3rd play.  Stratford would not score again until a bases loaded walk from Cody Kinard ended the game in the 11th. The Warriors were unable to get things going until they had two outs in the 7th inning. Down to their last out Chase Dougherty doubled into left center field and scored on a Tanner Chassereau single to tie it up. The teams would go the bullpen and hold each other in check until the 11th inning when a McQuillan single, Dorio walk, Stewart Bunt single, and Kinard walk would end it for the Knights.

* TOP PROSPECTS *

Travis Lott (C, Stratford, 2019) The Citadel Recruit. Physical presence behind the plate as well as when he is hitting. Tall left handed swing with confident feel for  the barrel. Gap to Gap power drove the ball to LF as well as to the wall in dead center. Short stride timing mechanism without many moving parts and plenty of strength to ride the barrel through contact. Pop times ranged from 2.02 - 2.20. 

 

 

Robbie Fleming (LHP, Stratford, 2020) Uncommitted. Turned in a quality outing by working in and around the zone with a 74-75 fastball with arm side run and a 68 mph change up. Peppered the zone with strikes and changed speeds effectively from a high 3/4 arm slot. Stretch only delivery, worked the fastball to the arm side and let it run to the corner of the plate with consistency. Pitches were down in the zone and he worked with consistent tempo. 

 

 

Dylan Stewart (SS, Stratford, 2019) Charleston Southern Recruit. Lanky middle infielder ranged well around the SS position. LHH with a low line drive approach, wanted to stay inside the baseball. Handled the bat well from the leadoff spot with a single to LF and also getting a bunt down later in the game.

Matthew Cudd (RHP, Stratford, 2020) Uncommitted. Lengthy RHP worked downhill with a 73-75 mph fastball that had some wiggle to the arm side. There is some deception in the delivery and the ball comes out of the hand firmer than it registers on the gun. Showed a big breaking curveball at 61 with a slower arm speed.

Kyle Raynor (SS/RHP, Indian Land, 2020) Uncommitted. Lean athlete with feel for the game. Started the game on the mound and hit in the three hole for the Warriors. Controlled the fastball to the outside corner and expanded off the plate consistently.. Showed the intent and the confidence to throw inside at times. FB started the game at 82-84 but backed up to 78-81 by his third inning of work. Mixed a sharp slider in at 72, generating swing and miss from RHH. Doubled late in the game and competes at the plate. Smooth actions and accurate arm up the middle will hold him there in the future.

 

 

Roman Edwards (RHP, Indian Land, 2022) Uncommitted. Projectable 2022 grad with an easy delivery. Turns the fastball over from a 3/4 slot generating heavy arm side action. Slurvy breaking ball (61-63) with potential to develop into a high quality offering. Frame will support maturation and physical development trending all of his pitches upward. 

Chase Dougherty (C/OF, Indian Land, 2020) Uncommitted. Catcher showed good drop and block ability for stretches. Strong lower half and thicker catchers build. Several longer swings early in the game but pulled a ball over the fence foul that would've tied the game with 2 outs in the 7th and then doubled in the left center field game showing plus power potential. 2.10-2.32 pop range. 

Trace White (SS/RHP, Indian Land, 2021) Uncommitted. Well built young player worth checking up on in the future. Collected a hit and hit several other balls hard. Confident approach to his game and good actions. Physical maturation will come. 

 

GAME 3 - McBEE vs. BYRNES
Matt Urbaniak (RHP/1B, 2019) vs. Joe Quinn (LHP/1B, 2019) 

McBee	1	0	2	0	0	0	0		3	4	1
Byrnes	1	0	0	2	3	0	X		6	4	1

 

The nightcap saw the McBee Panthers take on the Byrnes Rebels. Connor Kirkley was the do all man for the Panthers scoring 2 runs and driving in another. Each team scored in their half of the first before McBee jumped on top in the 3rd with a Boyle single and Kirkley double in the left field corner, a McIver Wallace SAC Fly would later score Kirkley to make it 3-1. Byrnes would answer in the 4th with 2 runs. Back to back singles by Jeter and Burnette followed by a Brooks SAC Bunt  would put runners at 2nd and 3rd before two pass balls would allow them to score and Byrnes to climb back into the game. Byrnes would take the lead for good in the 6th after Quinn and Durham walked to lead off the inning and Jeter collected his second hit to load the bases. A bases loaded walk followed by a Easton Cullison 2 RBI single would make it 6-3 in favor of the Rebels. 

* TOP PROSPECTS *

Joe Quinn (LHP/1B, Byrnes, 2019) USC Sumter Recruit. Started the game on the mound and worked through some control issues early on. The FB was 79-81 from the 3rd base extended side of the rubber. Inconsistent with the landing point, varying from on line to slightly closed, with an OT arm slot. Mixed in a 67-68 mph breaking ball. Also hit 4th this game with good plate discipline drawing multiple walks. 

 

 

Easton Cullison (SS, Byrnes, 2020) Uncommitted. Gave off a high energy athletic look. Lofted bat path from the left side with barrel release. Good speed and quick first step out of the box, aggressive on the base paths with good feel for running the bases. Rangy up the middle with confident hands, arm strength will play either position up the middle. 

 

 

Ethan Whitesides (RHP, Byrnes, 2020) Uncommitted. Projectable frame with length in the lower body and proportional torso. 3/4 extended arm slot with a heavy 80-82 mph fastball. Controlled the pitch low in the zone for ground ball contact. Showed SL with slurvy shape at 74. Landed closed of his line creating a deceptive look.

 

 

Jake Jeter (DH/RHP, Byrnes, 2020) Uncommitted. Longer athlete with room in the frame for additional physical development. Put together a solid day at the plate with a HBP and two hits. Also worked several innings of relief work with a 75-78 mph FB and a 72 mph CB.

Jamie Tamburrino (UTL, McBee, 2019) Uncommitted. Started the second game for the Panthers behind the plate. High baseball IQ is evident. Catcher didn't seem to be the natural position but athleticism helped him control the pitching staff. Offensive approach is simple, showed good plate discipline.