By Roger Janeway

MASON – By combining 15 hits and the opponent's unusual sloppy defense (four errors), the Cincinnati Oak Hills Highlanders improved their record to 16-7 by upending the home Mason Comets 14-6 Wednesday night. Leading the Oak hills offense was junior Alec Steffen with a pair of hits that included a home run. In addition, Oak Hills’ juniors Jake Richmond and Casey Metzger contributed key hits at the plate. Senior right-handed pitcher Thomas Connolly pitched 5 innings for the victory. Mason (17-7) had 12 hit of their own, lead by senior Josh Orlando's four hits.

Oak Hills Scouting Notes

• Junior centerfielder Alec Steffen (R-R, 5'10, 170) put himself on the map with good raw skills and aggressive offensive play. Showed good range defensively with good college arm strength. Slight open stance at the plate. Gets the bat head into zone well with some projectable pop. Plus footspeed with 4.23 down the line to 1st base.
• Junior Jake Richmond (R-R, 6'2, 180), one of the top junior shortstops in the state, showed good hitting approach and bat speed. Lined two vicious singles on the pull. Hard to gauge foot speed, but ran a 1st to 3rd well enough to be at least 7.0 (could be better). D-1 prospect that shows good hands. Likely an offensive second baseman or outfielder on next level.
• St. Leo's recruit Brandon Hemberger (R-R, 6'0, 205) played third base adequately but looks more like corner outfielder with his arm strength and decent hands. Shows strength in swing with projectable homerun pop.
• Junior right fielder Casey Metzger (R-R, 5'10, 165) looks to be solid D-2 or NAIA type guy. Lined a pair of solid hits and showed strong arm defensively.
• Ohio Northern recruit Austin Kron did not pitch on this day.

Mason Scouting Notes

• Junior righty TJ Zeuch (6'7, 220) started and left after three innings. Pitched well, but would have liked to see him more aggressive with fastball and cutter when ahead in the count. Control was good but suffered with poor defensive play behind him. Fastball was a consistent 87-88 mph (touching 90) with arm side run and some late life up in the zone with 4 seamer. The few cut/sliders were good. Also, showed feel for curve and change. Has an issue in his delivery but hasn't affected control to this point. Definite D-1 kid.
• Junior Connor McVey (R-R 5'11 165), one of the state’s top ranked middle infielders, shows good raw skills and baseball sense. Defensive actions are good (despite 2 game errors) and has solid arm strength. Can easily play middle on next level. Ran a grounder to first in 4.25, so he has plus foot speed. D-1 prospect at the plate. Generated two base hits on the night. Squared barrel on ball well. Would like to see him rev his motor a bit more in his play.
• If any D-2 or NAIA school is looking for a solid middle infielder with a line-drive/contact type bat, Mason senior second baseman Josh Orlando (L-R, 6'0, 170) squares the barrel on ball and shows a good hitting approach. Possess average to plus foot speed and fields position well (can see as outfield candidate as well).
• Senior catcher Josh Galloway (R-R, 5'9, 197) is an aggressive player with good bat speed and pop (homered in this game). Defensively, had a game throw of 1.96
• Junior outfielder Lee Sponseller (L-R, 5'10, 170) is a solid outfielder and hitting machine. Interesting follow.
• Freshman right-handed pitcher Rodney Hutchison (6'3, 230) was 81-83 mph on the mound