State Tournament Preview: 7A

May 10, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

It's finally here. The best week of the year for high school baseball. State tournaments open this Thursday across the state of Arkansas. There should be three great days of baseball, before a few days of rest before Championship Week End at Baum Stadium.

Here is my preview and predictions of the 7A State Tournament hosted at Burns Park in North Little Rock, by North Little Rock High School.

Thursday May 12th Round 1

10:00 AM Rogers vs Cabot

Rogers was the 3 seed out of the West, while Cabot was the 3 seed out of the East. This should be a low scoring affair with Rogers throwing 2016 LHP Hunter Hefley (Arkansas commit) vs 2016 RHP Chase Kyzer (Arkansas Monticello commit). Hefley mixes three quality pitches to keep hitters off balance while Kyzer commands a fastball and slider to put hitters away. Cabot is very talented but may need a year to mature before they are ready to compete for a 7A State Title.

Prediction: Rogers

12:30 PM Central vs Southside

Central is the 2 from the East and Southside is the 5 from the West. This game is a toss-up. Central has a veteran club that has played better as of late, Southside is young but has showed signs of being a tough club. Names to know in the match up, 2017 OF Kinner Brasher (Little Rock commit Southside HS) and 2016 C Dakota Stafford (Crowder commit Central HS) both will be key to the offensive success of their teams.

Prediction: Southside

3:00 PM Fayetteville vs Catholic

Catholic is the No. 3 from the Central and Fayetteville is the No. 4 from the West. This should be the best game of the day with both teams starting a quality left-hander. I expect Fayetteville to start 2016 LHP Joey Savin while Catholic will start 2016 LHP Dylon Thompson (Arkansas commit) or 2018 LHP Evan Hiatt. All three pitchers have a steady mix of pitches and give their team a great chance to win every outing. The difference in this game may come down to the two senior center-fielders. 2016 OF Thomas Broyles (Dallas Baptist commit Fayetteville HS) and 2016 OF Joe Myers OF (Ouachita Baptist commit Catholic HS) both have proven through their careers to get big hits. I expect few hits for either side in this game so watch out for one of those two to make a large contributions.

Prediction: Catholic

5:30 Conway vs Springdale

Conway is the No. 2 seed from the Central, while Springdale earned the 6th seed from the West. The Bulldogs are making their first appearance in over a decade, while Conway was the 2015 State Championship Runner up. I am going with experience here and pick the Wampus Cats to advance with a deeper line up 1-9. Springdale, has shown the ability to win big games, an upset is possible but unlikely.

Prediction: Conway

Friday May 13th Round 2

10:00 AM Bryant vs Winner Game 1 (Rogers)

Bryant secured a bye through round one by winning the Central. I predict they will play Rogers in the second round. This match up will start and end on the mound. Bryant will run out a quality starter that should shut anyone down in this tournament. Rogers will have to use Hefley to get past Cabot without him, I don't see them holding Bryant down 1 or 2 runs which is what it takes to beat Bryant. Bryant should advance to the semi-finals.

Prediction: Bryant

12:30 PM Har-Ber vs Winner Game 2 (Southside)

Har-ber received a bye by finishing 2nd in West, I expect them to play Southside, as Southside projects to beat Central. The bye provides too much of an advantage in this situation for Southside to overcome. The youthful wildcats take care of business and advance to play Bryant in the Semi-finals.

Prediction: Har-Ber

3:00 PM North Little Rock vs Winner Game 3 (Catholic)

North Little Rock earned a bye by winning the East. They will play the winner of game 3, which I predict will be Catholic HS. North Little Rock will throw 2016 RHP Christian Goshen (Missouri Southern commit) the ultra-competitive Goshen will give either pitcher Catholic throws a great match up. Offensively North Little Rock has depth 1-9, with players that will put together tough at bats. Offensively Catholic has more one swing damage potential than anyone in the field, playing at the launching pad that is Burns Park it make a difference. I really like this North Little Rock group but expect Catholic's dominant pitching to give them the edge.

Prediction: Catholic

5:30 Bentonville vs Winner Game 4 (Conway)

Bentonville earned a bye by winning the West. Whoever advances from Game 4 of the tournament will play Bentonville I expect that to be Conway. A rematch of last year's state finals. I expect it to not only be the same teams but the same pitchers 2016 RHP Kasey Ford (Kansas State commit Bentonville HS) vs 2018 LHP Jordan Wicks (Conway HS). Ford is a power arm with an upper 80's fastball that he locates on both sides of the plate. Wicks commands three pitches and challenges hitters with all three in any count. Bentonville has struggles at times offensively while Conway has had steady production 1-9. This should be one of the better games of the tournament.

Prediction: Bentonville

Saturday May 14th Semi-Finals

12:00 Winner of Game 5 (Bryant) vs Winner of Game 6 (Har-Ber)

I believe getting a first round bye is a huge advantage and a good reason why both teams that earned the bye, I project to meet in the Semi-finals. Same story in the semi's for Bryant as long as they defend they move on, pitching staff is too deep to be defeated.

Prediction: Bryant

2:30 Winner of Game 7 (Catholic) vs Winner of Game 8 (Bentonville)

Bentonville will pitch 2016 RHP Drew Young (Central Arkansas commit) while Catholic will pitch 2018 LHP Hank Hannah. Hannah competes in the strike zone with a low 80’s fastball with a quality breaking ball. Young is going to attack the strike zone with an upper 80’s fastball with late life. Look for this to be a low scoring affair that will come down to one swing of the bat.

Prediction: Bentonville

Friday May 20th -Finals

Bentonville vs Bryant will be pitchers dual. 2016 RHP Kasey Ford and 2016 RHP Zach Jackson, similar styles two guys that pour fastballs into the strike zone and rely on the slider to put hitters away. I give Bryant the edge to manufacture a couple runs on a more consistent basis than Bentonville.

Prediction: Bryant

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