Daily Roundup: March 7, 2018

A cool night at Providence HS saw two good arms match up and work to match each other for 5 innings.  Will Palinkas (RHP, 2018) worked 5+ innings, striking out 9 for Providence while JD Brock (LHP, 2019, Clemson commit) did not allow an earned run in is 5 innings of work.

Providence jumped to a 2-0 lead in the third inning off two Hough errors and a wild-pitch.  Providence was held to 3 hits, but worked to create pressure with athleticism down the line on ground balls.  

Hough answered with 2 runs in the top of the 6th.  Two walks sandwiched a strikeout, as Providence went to Ethan Reese (RHP, 2019) in their bullpen.  A balk moved both runners into scoring position for pinch hitter Charlie Chason (C, 2019) who reaches on an error, scoring one.  A passed ball scores the 2nd run, tying the game at 2-2.

In the 6th, Hough turned to Justin Offshanka (RHP, 2018, Charlotte commit).  A leadoff walk to Jake Benoit (Util, 2018) quickly put him scoring postion as he steals 2B and advanceds to 3B on a passed ball.  With no-outs and the infield in, Palinkas grounds out to SS, scoring the run.

In the 7th, Reece worked around a 2 out walk, recording two strikeouts and a ground ball to seal the win.

Game Summary

Win: Ethan Reese -- 2IP, 0H, 1R, 0ER, 4K, 2BB
Loss: Justin Offshanka -- 1IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 1K, 1BB

Other Pitchers of Note:

Will Palinkas (PHS) -- 5IP, 2H, 1R, 0ER, 9K, 4BB
JD Brock (HHS) -- 5IP, 2H, 2R, 0ER, 7K, 0BB

Providence Game Notes:

+Michael Dansky (MIF, 2019) - 1-3, double, 1 run

+Will Palinkas -- 0-3, Game winning RBI

Hough Game Notes:

+Jack Marcell (OF, 2018) -- 2-4

Player Evaluations

*Full Evaluations on the HS Scout Blog HERE

Will Palinkas, RHP, Providence HS, 2018
Lanky, 6-foot5, 200 pounder with elongated limbs.  Some effort through the delivery with a long arm action working to a high-¾ slot.  

Shutout: Cuthbertson Over Sun Valley

A three run first inning, including back-to-back RBI doubles from Ben Gilks (C, 2018) and Dawson Connell (1B, 2019), was more than enough for Cuthbertson RHP Reid Viar (2018, Brunswick CC).  Viar cruised through seven innings, throwing 75 pitches, 68% for strikes.  

A walk by Aly Dawood (SS, 2019) got the first inning rolling.  An error put two on before Gilks and Connel both tagged fastballs, driving them to the gaps, giving Cuthbertson the early lead.  

Sun Valley hitters found some barrel early with loud outs in the top of the first from Zack Budzik (SS, 2018, UNC Greensboro commit) and Sam Howell (INF/RHP, 2019).  Josh Swartz (RHP/1B, 2018, Western Carolina commit) doubled to the opposite field in the first, but this was the biggest threat of the day for the Spartans.  

Viar settled in, facing the minimum in 4 of the last 6 innings.  Viar showed an ability to move hihs fastball around the zone and induced 9 ground balls while striking out 5 in the win.

Game Summary

Win: Reid Viar -- 7IP, 2H, 0R, 5K, 1BB
Loss: Caleb Barwick (RHP, 2018, Erskine commit) -- 6IP, 4H, 4R, 2ER, 4K, 2BB

Cuthbertson Game Notes:

+Ben Gilks -- 2-3, 2 Doubles, 2 RBI, 1 Run Scored

+Dawson Connell -- 1-3, Double, 1 RBI

Sun Valley Game Notes:

+Zack Budzik -- 1-3

+Josh Swartz -- 1-3, Double

Player Evaluations

Reid Viar, RHP, Cuthbertson HS, 2018
Brunswick CC commit.  Average build with maturity at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds.  Fastball ranged 82-85  

Ben Gilks, C, Cuthbertson, 2018

Uncommitted.  Strength is present in an average frame at 6-foot, 195 pounds.  Left handed hitter is slightly open, using an aggressive stride, repeating his launch position.

Full Evaluations on both players can be seen on the HS Scout Blog HERE.

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Holly Springs vs Jordan

Holly Springs defeated Jordan 4 to 3 in a matchup between two highly rated Triangle teams. Holly Springs used 5 hits to score 4 runs while Jordan managed 7 hits for their 3 runs.

Game Summary

Win: Matt Willadsen (RHP, Holly Springs 2019, NCSU Commit)   4.2IP 7K 2BB 5H 2R
Loss: Ben Miller (RHP, Jordan 2019)  5IP 5K 3BB 5H 4R
Save: Patrick Trease (RHP, Holly Springs 2019, App State Commit)  1IP 1K 0BB 0H 0R

Other Pitchers of Note:

Jason Arendt (RHP, Holly Springs 2019, Elon Commit) 1.1IP 1K 1BB 2H 1R
Davis Downey (RHP, Jordan 2019) 2IP 3K 2BB 0H 0R

Holly Springs Game Notes:

+ Matt Willadsen (RHP, 2019, NCSU Commit) 1 for 3; Scored 1 run
+Sam Kulasingam (SS, 2020) 1 for 4; 1 RBI; Showed quickness and athleticism at SS
+Brendan Wright (RF, 2018, Campbell Commit) 0 for 2, Scored 1 run; 1 RBI, 1 Stolen Base; Showed excellent arm strength from deep right field by throwing out a runner at 3B who was tagging at 2B
+Patrick Trease (1B, 2019, App State Commit) 2 for 3; Scored 1 run
+Owen Henry (LF, 2018) With score tied in the 3^rd inning and with a Jordan runner at 2B, made a diving catch on a line drive slicing away from him and doubled up the runner at 2B

Jordan Game Notes:

+  Nick Fajardo (CF, 2018 NCCU Commit) 2 for 3; Scored 2 runs; 3 Stolen Bases
+ Connor Garcia (DH, 2020) 1 for 4; 1 RBI
+ Ben Miller (RHP, 2019) 2 for 4; 1 RBI
+ Tyler Wilson (1B, 2018, UNCW Commit) 1 for 2; Scored 1 Run, 1 Stolen Base
+ Davis Downy (2B, 2019) 1 for 1; 1 RBI

Player Evaluations:

Matt Willadsen RHP, Holly Springs HS, 2019
NC State commit.  Fastball touched 85 but primarily worked in the 83-84 range.

Ben Miller, RHP, Jordan HS 2019
Fastball ranged 82-83 with the breaking ball 69-71.

For Full Evaluations and stats, see the NC HS Scout Blog HERE.

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Alexander Central Comeback in Extras over Hickory

It was a very cold night at Alexander Central. Both teams were up to the task tonight as both pitchers threw well late into the game.  In the 8^th, Hickory HS drew a bases loaded walk to take the lead. 

Alexander Central made two quick outs in the bottom of the 8^th before Justin Cook walked.  A strikeout, with a dropped third strike, put runners on 1^st and 2^nd.  A second two out walk loaded the bases, bringing Zach Hammer to the plate.  Hammer centered a long fly ball to centerfield where the ball fell in and out of the glove, scoring the tying and game winning runs. 

The win gives Alexander Central head coach Pete Hardee his 399^th win of his career.  He will go for win No. 400 on Friday vs. South Caldwell HS.

Game Summary

Win: Bryson Hammer (LHP, 2020)  -- 0.2IP, 0H, 0R, 2K, 1BB
Loss: Jackson Palmer – 0.2IP, 0H, 2R, 0ER, 1K, 2BB

Other Pitchers of Note:

Justin Cook, ACHS (RHP, 2018) – 7.1IP, 6H, 1R, 0ER, 10K, 2BB

Pierson Hanvey HHS (2018) – 7IP, 3H, 0R, 0ER, 13K, 0BB

Alexander Central Game Notes:

+Josh Lafone (MIF, 2018) -- 3 hits, 2 stolen bases

+Byron Younts (MIF, 2019) -- 1 hit (double)

+Justin Cook – RH Pitcher Fastball 81-83  Curve Ball 71-72

Hickory Game Notes:

+ Pierson Hanvey –RH Pitcher  Fastball 80-82  Curve Ball 68-69… Also 2-3