Game 1: Top Tier Vs Reds Scout Team

The Labor Day Challenge held at Standard Bank Stadium got underway today, Saturday, September 5th at 9am. Game one featured Top Tier versus the Reds Scout Team. The Reds Scout Team came away with the win 4-1.

Top Tier got on the board first with a run in the 1st inning thanks to a two base throwing error from the shortstop which allowed Brett Bagus (Brother Rice, 2017) to reach second base. A wild pitch followed to allow the Bagus to advance to third base. Then Bobby Seymour (Mount Carmel, 2017) grounded out to second base bringing in Bagus for the first run of the game.

With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning Joe Acker (Marquette University, 2016) got a big innning started for the Reds Scout team with a ringing double that one-hopped the left-field wall. Following the Acker double Top Tier walked or hit five straight batters resulting in three runs and a 4-1 lead heading to the top of the 7th. Top Tier was not able to muster a rally in the top of the 7th and the game ended 4-1, Reds Scout Team with the victory.

Reds Scout Team

Cal Coughlin, RHP, Lake Forest, 2016
6-foot-1, 200-pound, right-handed pitcher with a strong durable frame. Currently ranked No. 5 in the Illinois class of 2016. No. 31 in PBR Overall Ranks. TCU recruit. Got the start for Reds Scout Team. Works from a high ¾ arm slot with a balanced uptempo delivery. Worked three innings sitting 87-89 topping out at 91 mph. Fastball showed hard armside action at 90-91 mph, straightened out at 87-88 mph. Changeup was best offspeed offering today. Maintains fastball arm speed on change with late fading action at 78-79 mph. Slider sat 77-79 with short break and tight rotation. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 74-76 mph.

Alec Marsh, RHP, Reagan College Prep, 2016
6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed pitcher with a strong frame. Arizona State commit. Currently ranked No. 6 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016 and No. 85 in PBR Overall Ranks. Came in relief for the Reds and worked the final four innings. Works from a high ¾ arm slot with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing and slight crossfire action. Early on in the outing sat 85-87 mph. Settled in at 82-84  mph in the final three innings. Soft curveball at 67-70 mph, with sweeping action when he throws it with conviction. Changeup showed armside run at 74-77 mph.

Joe Acker (Marquette University, 2016 – Physical, athletic right-handed hitting outfielder flashed an impressive skillset both in the field and at the plate. Flashed his big arm in the fifth inning, throwing a seed from right-field to third-base, gunning down the runner trying to go first-to-third. In the bottom half of the 6^th inning hit a missile that one-hopped the left field wall for a stand up double.  Has plus bat speed, makes loud contact and rhythm and looseness throughout swing. Committed to Nebraska.

Adam Proctor (St. Johns, 2017) – Physical, put-together left-handed hitting catcher has an impressive presence in the batter’s box. Bat stays in the zone a long time and flashed present bat speed. Defensively, prototypical catchers body and target. Strong arm, ball stays true from behind the plate. Good looking 2017 prospect is committed to Michigan State.

Top Tier

Houston Cowan, RHP, Burlington, 2016
6-foot-3, 180-pound, right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. Currently ranked No. 86 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. Uncommitted. Got the start for Top Tier in game one. Works form a high ¾ arm slot with a long arm action. Full overhead delivery, online with a square landing. Throws strikes and works down in zone. Fastball sat 78-80 topping out at 81 mph in game and 82 mph in warm-ups. Slider showed sweeping action at 71-72 mph. Changeup sat 72-74 mph.

Matthew McCormick (St. Laurence, 2019) - Big body left-handed hitter. Went 2-for-3 with a smashed double to deep center that one-hopped the wall. Presence in the batter’s box, present bat speed and easy pop. Quick stroke, balanced through contact and simple stroke. High follow in the 2019 class.

Bobby Seymour (Mount Carmel, 2017) – Strong left-handed hitting first-baseman. Ball jumps off his bat. Smoked a one-hop groundball that got one the shortstop in a hurry and resulted in 6-to-3 putout. Strong swing and runs well for his size. Committed to Wake Forest.