State Championship Preview:4A

May 18, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The 4A State Championship will be decided Friday May 20^th at 12:30 PM at beautiful Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas. Two regional champs will meet in the final game. Shiloh Christian won the North Regional, while Ashdown won the ultra-competitive South Region.

Ashdown: A veteran club that has been battle tested, playing in the most competitive 4A conference and challenging themselves in their non-conference. A physically talented group with above average athletes littered throughout the lineup 1-9. On the mound expect to see 2016 LHP Austin Cross, who is committed to Henderson State University. Cross has been tough all year keeping hitters off balance with a three pitch mix. Offensively look for 2017 MIF Bryson Haskins and 2018 C Alex Day to impact the game offensively, these two will set the tone hitting No. 1 and No. 2. A player that could have a major impact is 2018 CIF/RHP Jaden Hill. He has played limited time this year due to injury but has come in as a force hitting multiple home runs in the regional final, and has shown shut down stuff on the mound flashing a fastball into the low 90’s.

Shiloh Christian: Is a young team that has got it going in the right direction winning 6 straight including rolling through the North Regional tournament. On the mound they have received a steady year from 2016 LHP Gunner Gilbert. The senior mixes two solid pitches a fastball that works 79-82 mph and a swing and miss breaking ball. Gilbert is surrounded by a beavy of young talented players. Names to know on this roster is 2018 OF Jake Nelson, 2018 CIF Luke Johnson and 2018 RHP/OF Landon Brown. This group has help turn Shiloh into a contender this year and should for the next three years.

Road to Baum

Shiloh Christian 1	Hamburg 0
Shiloh Christian 8	CAC 0

Ashdown 1	Gosnell 0
Ashdown 5	Arkadelphia 2

Pick

Big Game, I always will pick experience. This Ashdown group is battle tested with enough up and coming players to carry the through to a state championship. An unbelievable stat: a win Friday and this will give Ashdown their first baseball state championship. Unbelievable due to the talent that has come out of Ashdwon throughout the years. Shiloh will be looking to win the schools 4^th State baseball championship.

State Championship Preview:4A

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