Championship Weekend: 7A Preview

May 15, 2017

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The 7A State Championship Game will be Friday, May 19^th, game time is 10:00 AM. The game will be between Cabot HS and Har-ber HS ,as they earned that right winning last week at the 7A State Tournament at Bentonville HS.

This is the first preview I will work through of championship week end, which will see all classifications compete for their respective state title, at Baum Stadium on the Campus of the University of Arkansas.

Cabot

Road to Baum: Cabot won the 7A Central and was a No.1 seed, receiving a bye through the first round. In the 2^nd round the Panthers defeated Catholic HS 3-1, with a late herorics by 2017 OF Evan Hooper who drove in 2 runs late to push them over the top. 2017 RHP Logan Gilbertson, with only one run allowed, with just 4 hits, while striking out 4. In the semi-finals Cabot defeated Bryant 14-4. The offense exploded with 15 hits in 5 innings of play. 2017 MIF Blake McCutchen and 2020 OF Clayton Gray lead the way. McCuthen was 4 for 4 on the day with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored, 2 of hits were doubels. Gray was 3 for 4 with a double, 3 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. 2017 RHP Michael Sheppard, and 2017 RHP Brett Brockington combined for the win, while striking out 10 Hornets.

Pitching: 2017 Logan Gilbertson, has been the No.1 consistently all year. He has posted a 1.18 ERA over 65 1/3 innings pitched. He has shown his advanced command as he has struck out 62 hitters, while walking just 22. Gilberston has pitched off his fastball the works 84-86 mph, he has shown the ability to work into the upper 80’s, when he needs to. He compliments the fastball with a curveball and change up thrown with fastball arm speed. The curveball is thrown 70-73 mph with 11/5 action and early break, the change up has arm side run and he has shown the ability to throw it in any count. After Gilbertson they are very capable, as the staff ERA is 2.11 , with a strike out to walk ratio of 3:1.

Offensively: The Panthers this group has been dynamic all season, with a .311 batting average, which has led to scoring 7 runs per game. There overall depth offensively has proven difficult for opposing pitchers to navigate. 2017 C Denver Mullins, 2018 CIF Dillion Thomas, and 2017 MIF Blake McCutchen, have lead the way at the top of the lineup, providing a consistent threat to score. The three have combined for 119 hits, 74 RBIs, 35 doubles, and 77 runs scored. If these three have a big day, they will be hard to slow down offensively.

X Factors; The Cabot outfield, playing in the large confines of Baum Stadium, will have a significant impact on how the game turns out. 2017 OF Evan Hooper, 2020 OF Chris Gray and 2020, Houston King, will have an opportunity to impact the game with their advanced athleticism and defensive skills, playing in a big ballpark. This group will be the key to the day, as they can create havoc offensively if they reach base, as they all are premium runners.

Har-Ber

Road to Baum: Har-ber was the No.3 seed they defeated Southside 10-7 behind a big offensive day by 2018 MIF Blaze Brothers and 2019 INF Kirby Jenkins, who both had multi-hit games. The win over Southside, moved them onto a North Little Rock HS, who earned a bye by finishing 2^nd the 7A Central. They defeated Har-Ber 5-3 behind a complete game by 2019 RHP Blake Adams. Adams pitched 7 innings allowing 2 earned runs, on 6 hits and struck 9. Their offense was consistent with 8 players recording a hit, as they had 13 hits. 2017 INF/RHP Caleb Grace had a big blow with a double which drove in 2 runs. They met Fayetteville in the semi-finals, which they defeated 8-1. 2018 RHP Blake Benson pitched a complete game allowing 1 run, while scattering 8 hits and striking out 4. The offense continued to show depth with 7 players recording a hit, and another driving in a run with a sac fly. They will be a tough match up if they can have solid production 1-9.

Pitching: 2019 RHP Blake Adams, has been the front man of a capable rotation all season. Adams has posted a 1.41 ERA in 59 2/3 innings pitched. Over the season, he has shown power stuff and a high level ability to pitch. He has struck out 80 hitters, while walking just 17. Adams’s pitches off his fastball which works 86-88 mph and has shown the ability to get as high as 91 mph. He has shown the ability to mix a curveball and a slider for strikes consistently. The rest of the staff, has had mixed results throughout the season with some great appearances, and some appearances when they have struggled. A reliever to keep an eye on is 2018 LHP Jack Lisle, as he could serve a big role with Cabot having several left-handed hitters in their lineup.

Offensively: A deep group with 8 regulars hitting .300 or above on the season. This will be key as they will have to hit their way to victory against Cabot’s pitching staff, which commands the strike zone on a consistent basis. A player to watch should be 2017 OF Blake Thompson as he is hitting .378 on the season with 4 doubles and 7 triples, while driving in 23 runs, and scoring 36 runs himself. His ability to hit extra base hits will be key in a low scoring affair which expected.

X Factor; 2017 OF Caleb Kimbrel and 2017 CIF/RHP Caleb Grace have shown the ability to hit for some power throughout the season, this will be a close contact that may come down to one swing of the bat. These two players have the ability to make a huge impact, with their bat speed and strength.

Championship Weekend: 7A Preview

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