6A No. 8 Hartselle (3, 4, 7) vs. 6A No. 4 Oxford (7, 1, 0)

Thursday & Friday, May 6th & 7th @ Choccolocco Park (Oxford, AL)

+ RHP Elliott Bray (2022, Auburn) turned in one of the best pitching performances of the weekend with his team’s backs against the wall after dropping Game 1. On the mound in Game 2, the more physical and refined 6-2, 215-pound right-handed pitcher pound the zone with a heavy 88-90 mph fastball with low spin (1900 rpm). Mixed in a 76-77 mph slider (2300 rpm) with swing and miss in two strike counts and an 80-82 mph changeup. An aggressive arm that works downhill and attacked hitters all night with his fastball. Finished earning the win going 6.1 IP, 3 H, R, 3 BB (2 in 7th) & 13 K’s on 115 pitches (71 strikes).

RHP Elliott Bray (5/6/21)

+ RHP JT Blackwood (2022) moved from a relief role and started Game 1 on the mound for the Tigers in this Elite 8 matchup and continued to show why he’s raised his stock as much as any pitcher in the junior class in Alabama. The 6-2, 200-pounder came out slinging 87-88 (2300 rpm) fastballs with run & tail to the arm side early on before settling into the mid-80’s in the later innings. Excellent feel for a 76-77 mph (2600 rpm) slider to both right and left-handed hitters that induced chase late in counts. Changeup also worked well off the fastball at 80-81 mph with the same action as the fastball. The final line may have been a bit deceiving with seven runs allowed, but only three were earned. Left some pitches over the plate to left-handed hitters, but was dominant against the few right-handers in the lineup. 

RHP JT Blackwood (5/6/21)

+ 1B Gavin Orcutt (2021, Coastal Alabama CC) was the biggest run producer for the Yellow Jackets in their Game 1 win in this Elite 8 series. The 6-2, 200-pounder recorded a quality at-bat in all four of his plate appearances and drove in three runs hitting in the middle of the lineup. In those four plate appearances, Orcutt had a RBI sacrifice fly, sacrifice bunt, a walk and capped it off with a huge two-run home run to provide insurance in the 6th inning. Balanced, upright stance that keeps weight back before shifting forward and incorporating lower-half well in the left-handed swing. Strong hands and an uphill bat path. 

1B Gavin Orcutt (5/6/21)

+ OF Trey Higgins (2021, Mississippi State) probably has the best combination of tools out of any player in the state of Alabama with premium athleticism, ability to hit for power and average from both sides of the plate, and a big arm in center field (quarterback in football). Those tools and combine how consistent the 6-4, 210-pounder has been this year is the reason why the Yellow Jackets have been so successful this year. Probably the unquestioned leader, Higgins is the engine for that Yellow Jacket offense. Didn’t see much to hit in the doubleheader on Friday, but was able to reach base twice on a hustle double and a single. Repeatable swing from both sides of the plate with quick and strong hands. 

OF Trey Higgins (5/6/21)

+ RHP/2B Carter Johnson (2024) possesses some of the best two-way ability in the freshman class in Alabama as he’s hit in the cleanup spot for the Yellow Jackets and also pitches Game 2 in each series. Not much production offensively in the doubleheader on Friday, but there’s a ton to build on with his performance he turned in on Friday night in his Game 2 start. Had seen him up to 84 mph previously this spring, but he touched 83 mph earlier on while pitching at 80-81 mph. Mixed in two quality secondary offerings, one being a late-breaking, tunneling 72 mph slider (2300 rpm) and a 77 mph changeup primarily to left-handed hitters. 5-10, 150-pound slim, projectable  frame with a whippy arm action and elite competitiveness and composure for a freshman. Plays second base when he’s not pitching. 

RHP Carter Johnson (5/6/21)

+ OF RJ Brooks (2024) has slowly played his way to a starting position in right field with offensive production coming on the back end of the season, and he continued to use his strength and athleticism to affect the game in Game 1 of the series. 6-1, 192-pound stout build with straight line speed out of the box from the left side. Worked deep into a count facing upper-80’s in a run scoring situation, and caught a pitch over the plate and lined it down the right field line for a RBI triple. Made it to 3rd base with ease, using 6.82 speed out of the box. Switch-hitter and an athlete.

OF RJ Brooks (5/6/21)

+ 2B Josey Williamson (2024) might not have had much to show for in the box score, but the 5-7, 160-pound freshman barreled up balls with consistency in Game 1. What he may lack in size for now, he makes up for with a quick, twitchy stroke from the left side. Composed and mature beyond his years, Williamson uses a quick load before getting back on time and fires quick hands and an upward plane through the zone. Repeatable swing that uses the whole field.

2B Josey Williamson (5/6/21)

+ 3B Peyton Watts (2023) kicked things off in a big way in the 1st for the Yellow Jackets on a two-out double in the pull side gap. Hitting in the 3-hole, the 5-11, 152-pound infielder got to two strikes, but battled and fouled off a few pitches before getting the hands through on a hanging slider over the plate. Balanced, slightly-open stance with a heavy barrel through the zone. Good feet defensive with a strong enough arm to play multiple positions on the infield, but should stick on the left side in the future. Hits for average, but should see more power come with added strength and growth over the next couple of years.

3B Peyton Watts (5/6/21)

No. 2 Central Phenix City (5, 4, 8) vs. No. 5 Dothan (1, 8, 4)

Friday & Saturday, May 7th & 8th @ Phenix City, AL

+ RHP Chase Allsup (Dothan HS, AL) has seemed to tick up a bit since seeing him in the low-90’s earlier this spring. The 6-1, 200-pound right-hander got the start in Game 1 of a Class 7A quarterfinal matchup and showed an electric four-pitch arsenal. Came out of the gates pumping 94-95 mph fastballs with spin into the 2400’s, and hit 96 mph once on a spiked fastball in the 1st. Struggled early on to find the command for the fastball, and had to rely on his secondary offerings to bail him out of jams. Mixed in a firm 83 mph slider (2500 rpm) with late downer action and a 76 mph breaking ball (2700 rpm) with sharp 11/5 break. Changeup was 85-87 mph and was used sparingly. Speed up the bat on an 87 mph changeup and gave up a two-run HR in the 1st, another scored on a pickoff error and allowed two more runs in the later innings on a couple of RBI singles. Finished tossing 5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB’s and 7 K’s. Auburn signee.

RHP Chase Allsup (5/7/21)

+ 1B Brody Capps (2022) has been hitting at a blistering pace for the Red Devils after getting off to a slow start to begin his junior campaign. Hitting in the cleanup spot, the 6-2, 190-pound corner infielder led the charge offensively all weekend in this Elite 8 series. Facing a tall task in Game 1 against a mid-90’s fastball, Capps showed no issue handling velocity by going 3-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI’s. Caught a changeup over the plate to homer to center field in his 1st at-bat and added a pair of singles over the following at-bats. Showed quick enough hands, even with two strikes, to be able to get to a fastball and drive it to all fields. Has hit every time we’ve seen him this year, and is arguably the hottest hitter in Alabama. Big time hitter here.

1B Brody Capps (5/7/21)

+ RHP Will Cannon (2022, Georgia State) went toe-to-toe with a SEC signee on the mound in what turned out to be a matchup of two of the top pitchers in the state of Alabama. Cannon, a 5-11, 185-pound right-hander, seized the opportunity and was in control from the 1st pitch. Opened up in the early innings throwing a fastball at 88-91, 92 mph before settling into 86-88 mph throughout the duration of the outing. Hard & firm slider at 80-82 mph was deceptive with tunnel off the fastball and induced numerous swings and misses against right-handed hitters. Also featured an 80-81 mph changeup with sinking action. Also turned around 95 mph and laced it into the gap for a double offensively in the 1st. Finished earning the win and tossing 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB and 12 K’s in a dominant outing. 

RHP Will Cannon (5/7/21)

+ SS Caleb Johnson (2022) drove in two of the four runs for the Red Devils in Game 2 on one swing in the 5th inning to cut the deficit to 5-2 at the time. Connected with a fastball over the plate and drove it over the right field wall for a no-doubt, two-run shot. Also added a single and a walk in the decisive Game 3 win from the leadoff spot, where he’s been all year long. A 6-2, 170-pound switch-hitter that is equally adept from either side and an excellent defender at shortstop with lateral range and good arm strength across the diamond that will allow him to stick on the left side of the infield. Numerous Division 1 offers and shouldn’t stay uncommitted for long.

SS Caleb Johnson (5/7/21)

+ RHP JP Reed (2021, Central Alabama CC) delivered a gutsy performance on the mound trailing 1-0 in the series with Dothan’s backs against the wall in Game 2. Set the table with four straight scoreless innings that allowed his offense to get out to a lead early on, and battled in the later innings to finish out the game with four pitches to spare due to pitch count. Attacked hitters with an 84-85 mph fastball and a 72 mph breaking ball combo against a talented, left-handed heavy lineup. Pitched on emotion and was ready for the moment. Finished earning the win while tossing 7 IP, 8 H, 4 R (two 2-run HR’s in 5th & 7th),, 2 BB & 5 K’s.

RHP JP Reed (5/7/21)

+ RHP Tyler Haines (2021, Mississippi State) has been working back from injury that has held him out for some time, but the 6-4, 210-pounder made his second start of his senior season in Game 2 of this Elite 8 series. Understandably still knocking off some rust having not pitched in a real game setting for a few months, Haines pitched consistently at 84-85 mph with some sinking action throughout his four innings on the mound and paired the heater with a 73 mph breaking ball with 11/5 break. Having been up into the upper-80’s over the previous years when healthy, there’s still reason to believe that the right-hander can get back to that form as he continues to work his way back. 

RHP Tyler Haines (5/7/21)

4A No. 3 Mobile Christian (12, 0, 18) vs. 4A Handley (3, 6, 5)

Friday & Saturday, May 7th & 8th @ Handley High School

+ SS Seth Smith (2023) continued to play above his head as a sophomore hitting in the middle of arguably one of the most talented lineups in the state. The 6-2, 160-pound left-handed hitting shortstop delivered multiple quality at-bats in a decisive Game 3 on the road while driving in three RBI’s in the contest. Started off with a two-strike, two-RBI single in the 1st and also brought home another on a RBI sacrifice fly out. Long frame with plenty of projection still to come with strength and growth. Plenty of levers and bat-to-ball skills. Crisp defender at shortstop. 

SS Seth Smith (5/8/21)

+ 3B Charlie Keller (2022, Mississippi State) has made as big of strides as any player in Alabama over the past year, and it continued to show up in this contest after seeing him belt two home runs a few weeks ago in Mobile. Refined 6-3, 185-pounds, recorded a two-RBI double down the right field line and a RBI sacrifice fly out in his last two at-bats. Huge power with 13 home runs leading into the semi finals. Looks the part in the left side of the box with strength throughout. Uses lower-half well and stays grounded after simplifying the front side recently. 

3B Charlie Keller (5/8/21)

+ 1B Ty Mancha (2022) has recently moved in from New Mexico, and he’s found his way into the lineup for the Leopards this season. 6-1, 170-pounder hitting from the left side, recorded a double and a RBI-single in this decisive Game 3. Simple approach and swing, not much wasted action and gets the hands through on contact. Middle-to-pull side approach. Short swing with quick hands.

1B Ty Mancha (5/8/21)

+ OF Rashad Robinson (2021, Memphis) is a complete package standing at an athletic 6-0, 160-pounds with big time combination of offensive and defensive ability. Middle of the order hitter for the Leopards, worked into a fastball count with good takes and caught an elevated fastball and lined it to left field for a two-RBI single. Efficient use of rhythm in the swing with some twitchy movements. Has hit for both power and average this year. Can “go get it” in the outfield defensively, but showed off the arm strength delivering a strike to 3rd base on a runner try to advance from 1st on a single for the putout. 

OF Rashad Robinson (5/8/21)

+ SS Ty Fetner (2023) had one of the biggest hits for the Tigers in their Game 3 loss, but pulled the game closer at the time. Gritty, athletic 5-9, 150-pounder delivered a big two-out  single to left field that brought home two runners from scoring position in the 5th. Although a bit undersized, Fetner has some quick hands at the plate with a level plane to hit for line drives consistently. High motor who also affected the game on the base paths. Stole 2nd, stole 3rd, and then came home to score on a wild throw to 3B. One to watch over the next couple of years.

SS Ty Fetner (5/8/21)

2A No. 2 Westbrook Christian (15, 10) vs. 2A No. 3 Decatur Heritage (2, 5)

Thursday, May 6th @ Decatur Heritage

+ RHP Will Noles (2021, UAH) was the MVP of the day for the Warriors, coming up huge in both games. Noles had a dominant seven strikeout complete game in Game 1 for Westbrook, while also going 1-for-3 with two RBI’s at the plate. Noles stepped it up a level in Game 2, going 2-for-4 with four RBI’s. Noles was extremely impressive on the mound in Game 1, flashing three pitches, all of which were able to keep Eagle hitters off balance. His fastball (78-81 T82) which he filled the zone with, paired with his changeup (71-73) and his sharp breaking ball (64-66), hitters struggled to touch him all day. Noles looked just as impressive at the plate, staying through the ball the whole way with a strong follow through, spraying line drives up the middle, shooting the gaps on the infield, and smoking balls to the wall. 

6A No. 1 Russellville (6) vs. 6A Alexandria (1)

Thursday, May 6th @ Russellville High School

+ OF John David Bishop (2021) is an uncommitted senior outfielder that strung together some competitive AB’s, and was consistent and impacted the Russellville offense in the early going and got them on the board by finding a hole on the right side of the infield leading to an RBI single. Bishop also showed the ability to be a threat on the base paths. Covers the plate well from the left side, allowing to get to the two-strike offering down in the zone on the RBI single. Finished 1-for-2 with a single, RBI, run scored and a walk in Game 1.

OF John David Bishop (5/6/21)

+ OF Jackson Lindsey (2021, UAH) displayed a great approach at the plate for the Golden Tigers during game one on Thursday night, worked himself into hitters counts and was a tough out for opposing pitchers. The UAH signee showed the ability to barrel the baseball and contributed with runners in scoring position. Lindsey shows a very simple approach at the dish and does a great job getting the barrel through the zone. Athletic frame at 6-4, 180-pounds from the left side. Finished 2-for-4 with a double, single and a RBI in Game 1.

OF Jackson Lindsey (5/6/21)

+ 1B Reed Hill (2022) showed some strength at the plate on Thursday night for the Golden Tigers. Producing a lot of solid contact from the five-spot in the lineup, Hill controls the bat well and has the ability to use the entire field. Impacting the game from the DH position in Game 1 of the series, Hill can also benefit his program at the first base position also. Took a pitch down in the zone in one at-bat, and hit it down the left field line for a double. Also added a single in the contest to finished 2-for-4 with a double, single and a RBI.

1B Reed Hill (5/6/21)

+ OF Grayson Thorpe (2022) jumped in the box ready to swing the bat on Thursday night for the Golden Tigers. Lacing an RBI single right back up the middle and extending the lead for his team early on. Thorpe, along with the rest of the Russellville offense showed the ability to play some small ball and was successful in doing so. The junior outfielder displays some speed as well. Open stance with a quick load and trigger, fires quick hands through the zone upon contact. Line drive-type hitter from the right side.

OF Grayson Thorpe (5/6/21)

 + OF DeShaun Foster (2023) got the Alexandria offense going late in game one on Thursday. After the hour delay of storms that came through the area in the fourth inning, Foster came through with the first base knock for the Valley Cubs. Working the count and putting together a great AB, showing a mature two-strike approach stroked a base knock into left center field. Foster showed great speed on both the bases and in the outfield. Athletic skill set that allows him to affect the game.

OF DeShaun Foster (5/6/21)