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Wilmot HS opens season with double header at Grant HS (IL)

April 6, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director

Grant (IL) 4, Wilmot 3

FOX LAKE, IL - The Wilmot Panthers traveled south to Fox Lake, IL to open up their season against the Grant (L) Bulldogs. In game one the Panthers gave up four runs early, but then settled in and battle back to come up short by a score of 4-3.

The Panthers sent senior Nicholas Heniff to the mound in game one. After getting touched for three runs in the first, Heniff settled down to make it through 3 1/3 innings. Eric Nevoso (2013) came in relief and kept the Bulldogs at Bay for the remainder of the game.

The Bulldog offense was ready in the first inning as senior Jake Ring (Missouri recruit) led the game off with a single up the middle. Junior Simeon Lucas (Illinois State recruit) followed with an RBI single and senior Brent Spohr smoked an RBI double to the gap.

The Panther offense rode the shoulders of the 6-foot-4 200-pound junior Dustin McFarlane. McFarlane drove in all three runs for the Panthers as he hit a solo homerun and a two RBI double in three at bats.

Grant (IL) 15, Wilmot 5

In game two the Bulldog offense was relentless, scoring 15 runs on the Pathers. However Wilmot did not go quietly, scoring five runs of their own, but in the end they had no stop for the Bulldogs.

Chaz Schmidt and Scott Litwin both had two RBi for the Panthers. Schmidt had two hits including a homerun.

The Bulldog lineup recorded 12 hits in game two including a homerun by Simeon Lucas.

Scouting Notes

+ Jake Ring (Grant, 2013) OF, Missouri recruit. Plus speed both on the base paths and in the outfield. Above average base runner, makes aggressive reads. Well above average outfield arm, plays through his cutoff, outfield route running can improve. Quiet approach at the plate, disciplined hitter, works deep into counts, excellent leadoff type hitter, makes pitcher work. Short quick swing, shows well above average bat speed.

+ Nicholas Heniff (Wilmot, 2013) RHP, Carthage College recruit. Athletic delivery, shows repeatability, high 3/4 arm slot, occasional over the top. Pitches to glove side with regularity, stayed inside against left handed hitters. Changeup was effective off of fastball. Fastball sat 78-80 mph, slight arm side run. Changeup at 72-74 mph with sink, above average action, out pitch. Curveball had 11/5 action, lacked consistency.

+ Dustin McFarlane (Wilmot, 2014) above average frame, 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, still has slender frame, can easily carry added weight, long limbs. Shows pop at the plate, gap to gap hitter, creates carry, barrel awareness. Likes to get arms extended. Highly projectable hitter.

+ Brent Spohr (Grant, 2013) 1B. Big body, shows strength at the plate. Makes consistent hard contact. Aggressive swinger, swings with a purpose. Shows pop to pull side. Will hit at the next level.

+ Simeon Lucas (Grant, 2014) Illinois State recruit. Lean frame, has plenty of projection. Bat speed present, mostly pull side approach, shows pop to pull side. Barrel awareness, disciplined hitter, excellent approach, doesn’t expand the zone often, stays within himself, takes his walks.

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