Border Battle NC/SC: Swift Athletics Leaders
July 2, 2024
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June begins the summer circuit for recruiting and player evaluation. One event that has become a "must" for players, coaches, and scouts in the Carolinas is the NC/SC Border Battle. This year's event took returned to UNC Charlotte's Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium for two days of action, featuring 130 of the best players in NC and SC. They did not disappoint.
On Tuesday June 11th, the position players went through their offensive and defensive evaluations. North Carolina worked out first taking multiple rounds of BP, followed by their defensive evaluations and athletic testing. As North Carolina finished, South Carolina started with their athletic testing, defensive evals, and finally their offensive evaluation. Coaches and scouts were able to see multiple rounds of BP from each player plus see them move around at their primary defensive position, getting a feel for their athleticism and feel for the game.
Wednesday June 12th was game day. Each player was scheduled to play in one 9 inning game with pitchers throwing live to hitters. In total, NC and SC squared off in 4 exciting games and the roster of the top players in the two states put on a show.
Below we begin the process of unpacking everything we saw at the high level event. From stats to player notes, to a deep dive into some analytics, we will work to uncover everything these players did and all the numbers they put up at the two day event. To see the full roster and full statistical package, CLICK HERE.
By the Numbers:
- 5 Players ran under 6.74 on the laser timing system
- 22 Players ran 7.00 or under
- 39 Players tested their vertical jump at 30in or above
- 20 Players saw at least one of their splits come in at 20mph or higher
- 17 Infielders saw their arm strength at 85mph or higher across the diamond
- 6 Outfielders tested with arm strength at 90mph or higher
- 13 Catchers posted a pop timed of 2.00 or under in the workout
- 5 hitters saw an exit velocity of 100mph or higher
- 78 hitters peaked their exit velocity at 90mph or better
- 6 hitters carried an average exit velocity of better than 90mph over two rounds of 8 swings
- 14 hitters posted a BLAST bat speed of 70mph or higher
- 189.7psi was the top grip strength posted at teh event
- 89.3mph was the top fastball velocity
- 10 arms were above 87mph on the day
- 3 arms saw their fastball spin rate above 2400rpm
- 2975rpm was the top breaking ball spin rate captured on the day
- 1 committed player took part in the event
Swift Athletic Leaders Border Battle NC/SC
10 / 30 / 60 YARD DASH
The laser timers from Swift Athletics allow players to be tested running a 60 yard dash, giving PBR Scouts a 10yd split, 30yd split, and other information about each player’s speed capabilities in the run.
10 YARD SPLIT
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | 10-yd |
1 | Ben Green | NC | HICKORY GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 1.59 s |
2 | Charlie Scott | SC | AC Flora | 2026 | OF | 1.60 s |
^ | Kellen Rogers | NC | Wake Forest | 2027 | SS | 1.60 s |
3 | Owen Simmons | NC | JH Rose | 2025 | RHP | 1.61 s |
^ | Jacob Cesarz | NC | CARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | SS | 1.61 s |
^ | Fletcher Owens | NC | Homeschool (NC) | 2027 | 2B | 1.61 s |
^ | Parker Trexler | NC | West Forsyth High | 2025 | 3B | 1.61 s |
4 | Hayden Fones | NC | Apex Friendship | 2025 | SS | 1.62 s |
^ | Aiden Smith | SC | Clover High | 2026 | RHP | 1.62 s |
5 | Alex Lerch | NC | Metrolina Academy | 2025 | 2B | 1.63 s |
6 | Banks Knight | SC | Summerville High | 2025 | OF | 1.64 s |
^ | Isaac Devine | NC | Overhills | 2025 | OF | 1.64 s |
^ | Stephen Hudgins | SC | Powdersville High | 2027 | OF | 1.64 s |
^ | Davis Phillips | NC | BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 2025 | C | 1.64 s |
^ | Ayden Clay | SC | Pendleton High | 2025 | OF | 1.64 s |
7 | Kyle Kirkland | SC | Clover High | 2026 | RHP | 1.65 s |
^ | Robert Sasser III | NC | Pro5 Baseball Academy | 2025 | OF | 1.65 s |
^ | Tate Whitehead | NC | Southwest High | 2025 | 2B | 1.65 s |
^ | Connor Tregoning | NC | Ronald W Reagan High School | 2026 | 1B | 1.65 s |
8 | Luke Godwin | SC | Greenwood High | 2025 | SS | 1.66 s |
^ | Jacob Mackara | SC | Bishop England | 2025 | OF | 1.66 s |
^ | Brayden Brogdon | SC | Rock Hill High | 2027 | OF | 1.66 s |
9 | John Collins | SC | Blythewood High | 2026 | SS | 1.67 s |
^ | Joel Cummings | SC | Lucy Beckham | 2026 | SS | 1.67 s |
^ | Michael Woodard | NC | New Bern High | 2026 | 1B | 1.67 s |
^ | Bryce Smith | NC | Voyager Academy | 2025 | LHP | 1.67 s |
10 | Yamil Soto | SC | P27 | 2026 | SS | 1.68 s |
^ | Bryan Franklin | SC | Blythewood High | 2025 | 2B | 1.68 s |
^ | Trip Ostergard | SC | James Island Charter | 2027 | SS | 1.68 s |
^ | Eben Greene | NC | East Forsyth | 2025 | RHP | 1.68 s |
^ | Jackson Gordon | SC | Legion Collegiate Academy | 2025 | OF | 1.68 s |
^ | Evan Matile | NC | East Lincoln High | 2025 | OF | 1.68 s |
^ | Brayden Robinson | SC | South Florence High | 2025 | 3B | 1.68 s |
^ | Thomas Shumaker | NC | North Iredell High | 2025 | C | 1.68 s |
30 YARD SPLIT
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | 30-yd |
1 | Charlie Scott | SC | AC Flora | 2026 | OF | 3.71 s |
^ | Jacob Cesarz | NC | CARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | SS | 3.71 s |
2 | Ben Green | NC | HICKORY GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 3.74 s |
3 | Stephen Hudgins | SC | Powdersville High | 2027 | OF | 3.77 s |
4 | Bryan Franklin | SC | Blythewood High | 2025 | 2B | 3.80 s |
5 | Kellen Rogers | NC | Wake Forest | 2027 | SS | 3.81 s |
6 | Aiden Smith | SC | Clover High | 2026 | RHP | 3.82 s |
^ | Jacob Mackara | SC | Bishop England | 2025 | OF | 3.82 s |
^ | Banks Knight | SC | Summerville High | 2025 | OF | 3.82 s |
7 | Robert Sasser III | NC | Pro5 Baseball Academy | 2025 | OF | 3.83 s |
8 | Jackson Gordon | SC | Legion Collegiate Academy | 2025 | OF | 3.84 s |
^ | Alex Lerch | NC | Metrolina Academy | 2025 | 2B | 3.84 s |
9 | Bryce Smith | NC | Voyager Academy | 2025 | LHP | 3.85 s |
10 | Ayden Clay | SC | Pendleton High | 2025 | OF | 3.86 s |
11 | Luke Godwin | SC | Greenwood High | 2025 | SS | 3.87 s |
^ | Tate Whitehead | NC | Southwest High | 2025 | 2B | 3.87 s |
12 | Ty Kerns | SC | Waccamaw | 2027 | SS | 3.88 s |
13 | Joey McGovern | SC | Seneca High | 2025 | OF | 3.89 s |
14 | Kyle Kirkland | SC | Clover High | 2026 | RHP | 3.90 s |
15 | Davis Phillips | NC | BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 2025 | C | 3.91 s |
^ | Isaac Devine | NC | Overhills | 2025 | OF | 3.91 s |
^ | Ethan Offing | SC | Dutch Fork High | 2026 | SS | 3.91 s |
^ | Hayden Fones | NC | Apex Friendship | 2025 | SS | 3.91 s |
60 YARD TIME
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | 60-yd |
1 | Charlie Scott | SC | AC Flora | 2026 | OF | 6.59 s |
2 | Jacob Cesarz | NC | CARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | SS | 6.60 s |
3 | Ben Green | NC | HICKORY GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 6.68 s |
4 | Stephen Hudgins | SC | Powdersville High | 2027 | OF | 6.71 s |
5 | Bryan Franklin | SC | Blythewood High | 2025 | 2B | 6.74 s |
6 | Jacob Mackara | SC | Bishop England | 2025 | OF | 6.77 s |
7 | Banks Knight | SC | Summerville High | 2025 | OF | 6.80 s |
8 | Kellen Rogers | NC | Wake Forest | 2027 | SS | 6.85 s |
^ | Robert Sasser III | NC | Pro5 Baseball Academy | 2025 | OF | 6.85 s |
^ | Bryce Smith | NC | Voyager Academy | 2025 | LHP | 6.85 s |
9 | Alex Lerch | NC | Metrolina Academy | 2025 | 2B | 6.86 s |
10 | Ty Kerns | SC | Waccamaw | 2027 | SS | 6.88 s |
11 | Luke Godwin | SC | Greenwood High | 2025 | SS | 6.91 s |
12 | Jackson Gordon | SC | Legion Collegiate Academy | 2025 | OF | 6.92 s |
13 | Joey McGovern | SC | Seneca High | 2025 | OF | 6.93 s |
14 | Anderson Hayes | SC | Fountain Inn High | 2026 | LHP | 6.94 s |
15 | Ayden Clay | SC | Pendleton High | 2025 | OF | 6.96 s |
^ | Ethan Offing | SC | Dutch Fork High | 2026 | SS | 6.96 s |
PEAK RUNNING SPEED
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Run speed (max) |
1 | Charlie Scott | SC | AC Flora | 2026 | OF | 21.3 |
2 | Jacob Cesarz | NC | CARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | SS | 21.2 |
3 | Bryan Franklin | SC | Blythewood High | 2025 | 2B | 20.9 |
4 | Stephen Hudgins | SC | Powdersville High | 2027 | OF | 20.9 |
5 | Ben Green | NC | HICKORY GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 20.9 |
6 | Jacob Mackara | SC | Bishop England | 2025 | OF | 20.8 |
7 | Lucas Riley | NC | Ledford | 2025 | OF | 20.7 |
8 | Justin Sheffield | SC | Atlantic Collegiate | 2025 | OF | 20.6 |
^ | Banks Knight | SC | Summerville High | 2025 | OF | 20.6 |
9 | Bryce Smith | NC | Voyager Academy | 2025 | LHP | 20.5 |
10 | Ty Kerns | SC | Waccamaw | 2027 | SS | 20.4 |
11 | Aaron Tolbert | SC | Easley | 2025 | C | 20.4 |
^ | Alex Lerch | NC | Metrolina Academy | 2025 | 2B | 20.4 |
12 | Robert Sasser III | NC | Pro5 Baseball Academy | 2025 | OF | 20.3 |
13 | Anderson Hayes | SC | Fountain Inn High | 2026 | LHP | 20.3 |
14 | Luke Godwin | SC | Greenwood High | 2025 | SS | 20.2 |
^ | Kellen Rogers | NC | Wake Forest | 2027 | SS | 20.2 |
15 | Joey McGovern | SC | Seneca High | 2025 | OF | 20.2 |
SWIFT JUMP TESTING
Players were able to test their vertical jump as well as an RSI jump. The Vertical Jump gives Scouts an idea on the power and explosion an athlete possesses. The Vertical was performed without a step, meaning the athlete was standing still with two feet on the ground and then jumped.
The RSI Jump Test is testing an athlete’s ability to create explosion with quickness. With their hands on their hips, the athlete was instructed to jump as high as they can, four times in a row, without limited time on the ground. We want to see the athlete quickly get off the ground after each jump, and still create a solid vertical jump.
PEAK VERTICAL JUMP
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Jump Height (max) |
1 | Robert Sasser III | NC | Pro5 Baseball Academy | 2025 | OF | 36.0 |
2 | Ty Kerns | SC | Waccamaw | 2027 | SS | 35.8 |
3 | Vincent Lee | NC | Pro5 Baseball Academy | 2025 | 2B | 34.7 |
4 | Ethan Offing | SC | Dutch Fork High | 2026 | SS | 33.6 |
5 | Bryan Franklin | SC | Blythewood High | 2025 | 2B | 33.0 |
6 | Davis Phillips | NC | BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 2025 | C | 32.8 |
7 | Anderson Hayes | SC | Fountain Inn High | 2026 | LHP | 32.6 |
8 | Cooper Summerlin | NC | GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | LHP | 32.5 |
^ | Dane Purdy | NC | Apex High | 2026 | RHP | 32.5 |
9 | Aiden Smith | SC | Clover High | 2026 | RHP | 32.4 |
10 | Tate Whitehead | NC | Southwest High | 2025 | 2B | 32.2 |
11 | Jacob Cesarz | NC | CARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | SS | 32.2 |
12 | Trip Ostergard | SC | James Island Charter | 2027 | SS | 31.9 |
^ | Justin Sheffield | SC | Atlantic Collegiate | 2025 | OF | 31.9 |
13 | Zeb Swangim | NC | TC ROBERSON | 2025 | 3B | 31.5 |
14 | Zeke Adwaters III | NC | TC Roberson | 2026 | SS | 31.5 |
15 | Alex Lerch | NC | Metrolina Academy | 2025 | 2B | 31.3 |