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Marucci Elite vs. Louisiana Knights Preview

September 25, 2015


Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana

Being in the south, the vast majority of the fall season the state of Louisiana is consumed with football, from Friday through Sunday with hardly any exceptions.  As most people are heading out to high school football games around the state, Prep Baseball Report Louisiana will be heading to Baton Rouge, more specifically, Alex Box Stadium on the campus of Louisiana State University to see two of the premier select ball programs in the region square off.

Although both Marucci Elite and the Louisiana Knights base camps are separated by 45 miles or so, and both programs are widely respected, match ups between the two are rare. In fact, I can’t even recall a matc hup where both programs sent their premier teams. Regardless, tonight should be an exciting contest as Marucci Elite begins its fall season in route to the WWBA in Jupiter, FL.

Both Marucci Elite director, Chad Raley, and Louisiana Knights director, Jack Cressend, are excited for the match up and look forward to competing with their respective counterpart. Cressend said “We are looking forward to a great night of high school baseball at LSU with some of the best players in the state on both sides. As well as, several colleges and professional scouts scheduled to be in attendance. It is a great opportunity for all the players.”

Marucci Elite’s roster is once again talented and deep, which comes as no surprise. They will be running out prospects like, Mississppi State commit OF Jacob Pearson(West Monroe HS). Pearson is the No. 3 ranked player in Louisiana’s 2017 class and posted an insane 6.46 60 yard dash and 100 mph exit velocity at previous PBR-Louisiana events.

Marucci Elite doesn’t have a shortage of speed in the lineup either, they will run out LSU commit Zach Watson(West Ouachita HS), who has shown to have game-changing speed. They also don’t have a shortage of left-handed juice, as Pearson will be followed in the lineup by guys like, C/OF Nick Webre(Teurlings Catholic HS), whose power was evident during the Underclass Games in June.

Projectible 2017 RHP Ma’Khail Hilliard(Central(BR) HS) will get the nod for Marucci Elite on the bump. The lean, athletic righty has been up to 89 mph recently with a lightning quick arm and above average breaking ball.

In historical Louisiana Knights fashion, the roster is built around premium arms. LSU commit, and the No. 9 ranked player in PBR’s Overall Rankings for the 2017 class, RHP Blayne Enlow(St. Amant HS) is scheduled to pitch tonight, as well as uncommitted 2016 LHP Sean Tweedy(Northlake Christian HS), who was up to 89 mph at the Prospect ID Showcase in early September.

The Knights are also scheduled to send out relatively unknown, and uncommitted, 2016 RHP Adam Garcia. Garcia is originally from Las Vegas, but has relocated to the greater New Orleans area for a few months. The 6-foot-7 righty was 91-94 mph in an outing earlier this fall.

The Knights should be led offensively by Northwestern State commit OF Tyler Smith(Covington HS), Future Games participant 2018 INF Jordin LaBruzza(Brother Martin HS) and newly acquired(Team Louisiana staple) LSU commit 2016 INF Jake Slaughter(Ouachita Christian HS).

The Marucci Tournament will continue all weekend at LSU, Runnels HS, and Baton Rouge Community College. Players and teams from all across the state are set to compete, so if you are a high school or college baseball fan it is shaping up to be an excellent event!

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