State Championship Preview: 7A

May 19, 2015

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

After a long season and a tough tournament, Bentonville High School will take on Conway High School for the 7A State Championship, 3:00 PM Friday at Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas. Here is a breakdown at each team Pitching, Hitting and Defense.

Pitching

Bentonville HS: 2016 RHP Kasey Ford anchors this staff. Ford is a 6-foot-4 240-pound righter hander that works from a ¾ arm slot. He pitches off his fastball that is 87-90 mph, and can get up to 91 mph. He compliments his fastball with a slider with sharp break. Their bullpen for this game will have some weapons, expect to see 2016 RHP Drew Young, 2015 Preston Rosales, and 2016 RHP Carter Brown if Ford gets in trouble. This group has 119 strike outs in 105 innings pitched.

Conway HS: 2016 Matt Strickland has been steady for the Wampus Cats this spring. Strickland mixes three pitches for a strike and commands his fastball on both sides of the plate. Conway has used more arms on a consistent basis than Bentonville. Expect to see multiple arms for Conway, this is due to the stable of quality pitchers they will have ready to go. This group includes 2018 LHP Jordan Wicks, 2017 RHP Cade Tucker, 2016 LHP Collin Cahill, and 2015 RHP Nick Starr, and Lane Carter.

Hitting

Bentonville HS: Bentonville has a dynamic 1-2 punch at the top of the line-up, with 2015 MIF Cody Scroggins and 2015 OF Paul Rouse. The two are getting on base at .444 and have scored 52 runs. Brian Gloeckler and Carter Brown have done a good job driving in runs once Scroggins and Rouse get on base. Brown leads the team with 4 home runs.

Conway HS: Conway has a deep line up. Dillion Conditt leads things off and has the ability to run balls out of the yard. Other key contributors could be 2017 MIF Kolby Reck, 2017 RHP/CIF Cade Tucker or Parker Gravazzi. Honestly one through nine can get them going. Conway has historically hit and this group is no different.

Defense:

Bentonville HS: Is strong up the middle with 2015 Cody Scroggins at short stop, Paul Rouse in centerfield and Matt Bratspies behind the plate. All three are well above average defenders with good athleticism.

Conway HS: Conway matches them defensively with 2015 Jacob Adams, 2017 Kolby Reck holding down the middle infield. 2018 OF Parker Gravazzi is young but has shown the ability to make good reads and has a strong accurate arm. 2016 C Grayson Pinkett does a good job behind the plate and runs the show..

State Championship Preview: 7A

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