State Championship Preview: 7A

May 19, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Round three between Bryant and Conway will determine the 7A State Championship, Friday at 5:30 PM at Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas.

The first two matchups did not disappoint. In game 1 Conway received a lights out pitching performance from 2016 LHP Collin Cahill, and there offense took advantage of a few Bryant mistakes to win 4-0. In game 2 Bryant button down their defense and defeated Conway 2-1. 2016 RHP Zach Jackson threw a complete game scattering 7 hits while striking out 9.

Bryant; I team built to win close games. I talented and deep pitching staff that has given up 1.43 runs per game on the season. They throw a ton of strikes and keep their defense in tune. Their defense is led by 2017 MIF Jake East. East makes all the routine and has the athletic ability to make the exceptional from time to time. 2016 OF Logan Allen has been a lock down centerfielder and a catalyst at the top of the lineup. Offensively 2017 CIF Garrett Misenhiemer provides some thump in the middle of their lineup. Overall offensively they stay to their approach and compete in every at bat. They are discipline and do a great job manufacturing runs when given an opportunity.

Conway: A team returning several key pieces from the 2015 season where they finished at Baum Stadium as the state runner-up to Bentonville High School. This group plays hard and believes they are going to win no matter the situation. They were hotly contested in all three games of the state tournament, but gutted their way to come from behind victories against Bentonville and Catholic. Similar to Brant a deep pitching staff that competes in the strike zone on a consistent basis. Defensively sound with 2017 MIF Kolby Reck playing short stop as steady as anyone and 2018 OF Parker Gavazzi making big plays in centerfield. Offensively a talented group up and down the line up. 2017 Cade Tucker has anchored the middle of the order for the second year in a row. 2018 LHP/CIF Jordan Wicks consistent offensive production is a key reason why they are headed back to Baum, look for him to have an impactful at bat.

Road to Baum

Bryant 4	Cabot 0
Bryant 10	Har-ber 0

Conway 1	Springdale 0
Conway 8	Bentonville 6
Conway 8	Catholic 7 (11 inn)

Pick

Pitching beats hitting on most days, 2016 RHP Zach Jackson has the stuff to limit Conway’s hitters to minimum amount of runs, and the hornets will manufacture enough to win Bryant’s 3^rd state title in the past 6 years.

If you are only going to watch one of the 7 games being played during championship week end, this is the one to watch. Two very talented teams that are well coached, and our very familiar with each other. This should be a great high school baseball game

State Championship Preview: 7A

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