Team Carolina: Game 1 Recap

Team Carolina opened up its game schedule in the 2023 PBR Future Games with a nationally televised game vs. Team California.  The two teams did not disappoint the national audience and all of the college coaches on hand, running out numerous prospects in a game that came down to the final pitch.

Team Carolina jumped out quickly, plating two runs in the second.  The frame opened with a  Connor Robertson single up the middle.  Matt McKnight followed with a triple to right field on a ball off the barrel that bounded over the right fielder’s head, scoring Robertson.  A Peter Mershon double to the left field wall would score McKnight.

In the third Team Carolina would strike again, plating four runs total before the inning was rolled due to the pitch count.  The big blow came off the bat of Ayden Wall who turned around a breaking ball for a triple to left center field.  

The fourth saw Mershon add to his RBI total with a SAC fly to center, scoring Robertson, who opened the frame with another single.  Team Carolina would add an 8th run in the top of the 7th when Mershon walked and stole 2B.  After the play at 2B, Mershon took off for 3B as the ball was returning to the mound, outrunning the play at 3B, and scoring on an over-throw at 3B.

On the bump, Team Carolina got off to a good start with Landon Fowler firing the first two innings. The big righty was up to 91 with some mix from a ¾ release that created issues for hitters.  Aiden Vorlick threw the 3rd and was close to a very clean inning after getting two quick outs.  Team California took advantage of a couple of seeing eyed ground balls in the 4th to get back to with in striking distance.  Austin Federspiel came back out in the 4th with a clean inning to stabilize the game for Team Carolina.

Looking to close the win out, Team Carolina turned to Gabe Murray.  Murray saw Team California scrap and claw for a run in the 6th, pulling to within 1 run.  With the extra insurance run in the top of the 7th, Murray got a quick 1st out on a lazy fly ball.  Two competitive at-bats later, the tying run was on 1st.  Again a couple of balls that found holes, and a walk, loaded the bases with the tying run on 3B and the winning run on 1B.  Murray attacked the next hitter with fastballs and got a fly ball to CF  that landed just in front of Justin Sheffield where the throw to the plate was on time to cut down the winning run, but sailed up the 3B line.

A game that captivated the audience at LakePoint created buzz on several prospects for Team Carolina.  Team Carolina will be on display again at LakePoint as they take on Team Mid-Atlantic at 10am on Friday.

Scout Notes

Landon Fowler, RHP, Powdersville HS, 2025
Broad shoulders with strength present at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds.  Attacked with a fastball / slider mix, showcasing an occasional change-up.  Clean arm, working level and on-line, the release is lower that expected in the ¾ range.  Fastballs tend to jump on hitters, sitting 87-90, touching 91 a couple of times in the 1st.  Fastball spin averaged 2250rpm.  Slider can be tightened, working with early length out of the hand.  Slider ranged 74-75, 2290rpm.  Change-up is an intriguing pitch from the slot, creating some late fade at 74-76.  Easy to project what Fowler could become down the line with his frame, athleticism, arm speed, and feel.

Austin Federspiel, RHP, East Forsyth HS, 2025
Large frame. Broad shoulders.  Defined strength in the lower half.  Tall and on-line, works through some effort in the arm action as the arm plunges, then reaches as it gets to an over-the-top slot.  Heavy sink action, missing barrels throughout his two innings of work, sitting 80-84, 1500rpm.  Big, rolling breaking ball kept hitters off the fastball, ranging 70-73, 1800rpm. Still a lot of room to the ceiling as he grows into the frame and is able to define his direction and rhythm.

Gabe Murray, RHP, Fuquay-Varina HS, 2025
Average size with strength present in an athletic build at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds. Level and on-line, the arm works through a long arm swing getting to the top of the arc and cocking phase early.  Strong core allows him to hold the peak position, still creating a ton of arm speed. Fastball has heavy run at 86-89, touching 90 with a spin that peaked above 2500rpm. Sweeping curveball ranged 71-73 from the same high-¾ slot that the fastball worked out of.  Flashed a good feel for a change-up at 74-76, 1600rpm.

Connor Robertson, 3B, Mooresville HS, 2025

Three hits on the day, showing off a very professional approach and the ability compete against high level arms.  Worked the middle of the field, hammering two fastball back through the box.  The 3rd hit came with 2 strikes as he was a bit early on a slider, still getting some linear action through the hips to get the hands to the ball. 

Peter Mershon, C/3B, Eastside HS, 2025
Strength present at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds.  Plays with pace, showing his sub-6.60 sixty from the workout day does translate on the field.  Right handed hitter recognized and hammered a breaking ball up in the zone for an early triple.  Following at-bats were very productive as well with a SAC fly and a walk.  Behind the dish he is a willing receiver that worked to keep the ball in the zone.  Also played 1B where his athleticism allowed him to cover some ground and still make several plays look routine.

Ian Williams, OF, Wake Forest HS, 2025
Quickness is apparent in the 5-foot-8, 155 pound frame.  Covered ground with some ease in CF.  With the bat, the hand strength has grown, allowing him to stay on top of balls and still drive them through the infield. Worked the middle of the field.  Once on base, 2 hits in this game, Williams is a threat to take both 2B and 3B when he feels like he has a good read on the pitcher.