By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

Sunday, September 29 saw the PBR Kentucky Fall Prospect Program make a stop at Derby City Field in Louisville, home of Spalding University baseball.  The day kicked off at 9:30 AM with 60 times, defensive evaluations, on-field batting practice, and ended with game play beginning at 12:00.

While the weather cooperated early, the games were played in a constant light rain, making playing conditions less than ideal.

The following is an in depth look at all the action including game summaries, top performers, and pitcher velocities.

Game 1 Summary

Game 1 saw a pitcher’s duel take shape immediately as Lewis County 2014 RHP Sammy Holder and Rowan County 2016 RHP Cameron Planck took the mound for Team Black and Team White respectively. 

Holder allowed an unearned run in the 2^nd as Jared Slone (’14 Ashland Blazer) reached on an error and then scored on a RBI single to right field by Matthew Lee (’14 Franklin County).  The single by Lee was the only hit Holder allowed in his 3 innings of work, and he racked up 6 strikeouts along the way, striking out the side in the 3^rd inning.

Planck matched Holder pitch for pitch.  The sophomore right-hander allowed a run in the 2^nd when Spencer Hackworth (’15 Bishop Brossart) hit his first of two doubles on the day to deep left field and then scored on consecutive wild pitches.  After the Hackworth double, Planck proceeded to strike out the side.  Like Holder, he finished with 6 strikeouts while giving up one hit in his 3 innings of work.

Team Black struck in the 4^th off of 6-foot-5 RHP Ryan Tressler (’14 Switzerland County IN).  Daulton Mason (’14 Lewis County) stroked an opposite field single to right field and Hackworth drove him home with his second double of the game to give Team Black a 2-1 lead.

Team Black struck again in the 6^th when Holder stroked a RBI double and Colin Suttles (’15 Dixie Heights) added a RBI single to make the score 4-1.

Meanwhile, Ben Alexander (’14 Lexington Catholic) was mowing down hitters for Team Black.  Alexander retired the side in order in the 4^th and 5^th innings.  Jesse James (’14 East Carter ) led off the 6^th reaching base on an error, but Suttles made sure the scoring threat never materialized by throwing out James attempting to steal 2^nd base.  Alexander retired the next two hitters, facing the minimum over his 3 innings of work.

Kipp Moore (’14 Shelby County) came on in the 7^th and struck out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced to preserve the 4-1 win for Team Black.

Game 2 Summary

The steady light rain forced game 2 to be called in the 3^rd inning as pitchers were beginning to have difficulty with footing on the mound. 

Prior to the game being called, RHP Tyler Krauth (’14 Bullitt East) took the ball for Team White and allowed a run in the 1^st, but then settled down to throw scoreless 2^nd and 3^rd innings.  He finished with 2 strikeouts in his 3 innings of work.

Jared Slone, Nick Jackson (’15 Ballard), Quinton Edwards (’14 CAL), Tyler Neeley (’15 Trinity), and Dale Gumm (’14 John Hardin) all collected singles for Team White prior to the game being called, as Team White scored 5 runs in the 3 innings played.

Top Performers Team Black

Spencer Hackworth (2015 3B, Bishop Brossart HS) went 2-for-4, smoking 2 doubles to left field.  He also scored a run and drove in one as well.

Daulton Mason (2014 3B/RHP, Lewis County HS) followed up his 3 hit performance at Morehead State by going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Alden Gatewood (2015 Franklin County HS) stroked an opposite field double.

Collin Suttles (2015 C, Dixie Heights) followed up his 3-hit day at Morehead by going 1-for-3 with 2 RBI.

Sammy Holder (2014 RHP/MIF, Lewis County HS) racked up 6 strikeouts in his 3 innings of work with an 83-85 mph fastball that topped out at 87.  Holder pounds the zone with his 67-69 mph curveball and will throw it on any count and any situation.

Ben Alexander (2014 2B/RHP Lexington Catholic HS) threw 3 scoreless innings facing the minimum of 9 hitters.

Team Black Pitcher Velos

Sammy Holder (2014 RHP Lewis County) FB 83-87, CB 67-69

Kipp Moore (2014 SS/RHP Shelby County) FB 82-84, CB 68-69

Ben Alexander (2014 2B/RHP Lexington Catholic) FB 73-75, CB 65-68

Mason Jeffries (2014 3B Collins) FB 80-82, CB 67-68

Top Performers Team White

Cameron Planck (2016 RHP Rowan County) allowed 1 hit and racked up 6 strikeouts in his 3 innings of work.  At 6-foot-3, 190-pounds, Planck continues to impress with a fastball that sat 83-85 mph and a sharp breaking ball at 72-76 mph.

Tyler Krauth (2014 RHP Bullitt East HS) struggled with his command early but settled in to allow 1 run on 1 hit with 2 strikeouts in 3 innings of work.

Matthew Lee (2014 3B/OF Franklin County HS) stroked a RBI single.

Dale Gumm (2014 C/3B John Hardin) added a RBI single.

Jared Slone (2014 MIF Ashland Blazer) and Quinton Edwards (2014 2B/OF) each singled and scored a run.

Team White Pitcher Velos

Ryan Tressler (2014 RHP Switzerland County IN) FB 81-84, CB 65-69, CH 75-76

Tyler Krauth (2014 RHP Bullitt East) FB 75-77, CB 63-66, CH 69-70

Cameron Planck (2016 RHP Rowan County) FB 83-85, CB 72-76

Matthew Lee (2014 Franklin County) FB 71-73, CB 54-56