Game Notes:

PBR Nevada’s #10 ranked Gators traveled to Cimarron Memorial looking to shake off a tough loss against Bonanza on Wednesday. They appeared up to the task, scoring in the first on a hit from ’20 Gavin Malcolm and an RBI single from ’20 Matthew Galdi over the shortstop’s head. Green Valley starter ’19 Ulises Perez https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/profiles/NV/Ulises-Perez-7284310569-0847125936 stayed off the Spartan offense until the third when, Cimarron would strike twice taking a 2-1 lead. ’19 Jackson Folkman doubled home a run and then scored on a single by ’21 Elie Kiligman.  The Spartans would push across single runs in the fourth as well as the sixth stretching the lead to three. 

Kligman started the game on the mound for the Spartans and yielded just one Gator run in the first inning. He offered a quality start for the Spartans, throwing 5 innings with 5Ks and 2BBs. ’19 Zach Culver relieved Kligman and worked a perfect sixth. However, the seventh would lend some drama. First baseman, ’20 Mike Overland would be unable to corral a ball cued to toward first base. Culver retired centerfielder, ’20 Max Leuga on a groundout to shortstop. The Gators would follow with a hit batsman, strikeout, and another hit batsman, loading the bases and bringing up the top of the Gator order.  Culver would get leadoff hitter, ’19 Savon Battle for the final out, preserving the victory.

Scouting Notes:

’19 Zach Culver, SS/RHP (Cimarron Memorial)

Lean 6-foot, 175, Culver has an athletic build with room for weight and strength gains.  He played a solid shortstop for five innings displaying soft hands, a feel for footwork and stayed in rhythm on multiple ground. He showed arm strength for the position which proved evident when he took over the pitching duties in the sixth. At the plate, he hit fourth in the order and showed patience as well as the ability to work counts and fight off pitches with two strikes. On the mound, he pitched downhill with a fastball 83-85. Culver maintained arm speed on his curve ball which had consistent down action.  With present arm speed and both physical and delivery development, he could have a future on the mound as well. Culver might be a sold fit for a small school in need of a dual threat or a two year institution that allows time for growth as a potential two way player. 

 

 

’19 Jackson Folkman, CF (Cimarron Memorial)

Thin, 6-foot 170, Folkman is athletic with wiry strength.  He runs easy with good strides, allowing him to cover a significant amount of ground in the outfield. There is an attractive degree of rawness to his abilities that lend to a high ceiling.  In the box, he has a simple approach with a twitchy swing and barrel feel. He showed enough bat speed and quickness to emergency hak some two strike pitches and eventually find something to put in play.  His speed pressures the defense, easily beating out a potential double play ball (4.26), pulling up at the end.  He displays noticeable competitiveness and understands his speed is his carrying tool, attempting to base hit bunt and stretching a single to a double.