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Labor Day Challenge Team Preview: Southern Illinois

August 28, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Labor Day Challenge is scheduled for Saturday August 30 through Sunday August 31 at the brand new Curtis Granderson Stadium at University of Illinois-Chicago and the all turf Cougar Stadium at Chicago State. 

Last year the St. Louis Gamers took the crown going 4-0 led by tournament MVP and Notre Dame recruit, Matthew Vielring.

CLICK HERE for 2013 Labor Day Challenge Recap.

This year the field is set with five of the top travel programs in the Midwest – GRB Rays, Indiana Outlaws, Rawlings Hitters, Southern Illinois and Top Tier. All five teams will feature some of the top 2016 prospects in the area.

Team Southern Illinois will be lead by O’Fallon High School Head Coach Jason Portz and features several prospects from the St. Louis Metro East area, led by two uncommitted 2015 prospects in LHP Bryan Hudson (Alton) and SS Jordan Hovey (Edwardsville). Hudson is ranked No. 10 in Illinois and the left-handed pitcher is literally a can’t-miss prospect standing 6-foot-7, 200-pounds with his fastball reaching 88-89 mph. Hovey, ranked No. 54 in Illinois, is an athletic left handed hitting middle infielder whose bat features pop to all fields.

O’Fallon High School teammates Bradley Harrison and Bradley Snyder are two of the top 2016 prospects in the state of Illinois. Harrison, a left-handed hitting outfielder, is committed to SIU-Carbondale and is currently ranked No. 36 in Illinois’ 2016 class.  He also touches the low 80’s on the bump.  Snyder is a right-handed hitting first baseman currently ranked No. 78.

O'Fallon 2015 right-handed pitcher Chris Holba, ranked No. 41 in Illinois' 2015 class, brings mid-to-upper 80's heat from a loose and athletic arm action.  He pairs it with a mid-to-upper 70's slider that is his calling card.  He came on strong this summer and committed to East Carolina.

Other unsigned 2015’s on the roster include Edwardsville outfielder Fahd Shakeel, who impressed earlier this summer at the Metro East Open. While Hudson is the main attraction on the mound, Belleville East’s Brady Schanuel and Mascoutah’s Austin Christ both work in the low-to-mid 80’s with their fastballs.

The roster also includes several prospects unknown to Prep Baseball Report who may surprise.

Southern Illinois Schedule

Saturday August 30th, 2014 at University of Illinois-Chicago - Curtis Granderson Stadium
2:00 PM vs. GRB Rays

7:00 PM vs. Indiana Outlaws

Sunday August 31st, 2014 at Chicago State University
2:00 PM vs. Rawlings Hitters

7:00 PM vs. Top Tier

Southern Illinois Pitching Rotation

Game 1 – Schanuel (4) Harrison (3)

Game 2 – Hovey (4) Christ (3)

Game 3 – Hudson (4) Robison (3)

Game 4 – Holba (4) Keene (3)

Southern Illinois Roster


 Name Position Jersey # Height Weight  
Jordan Hovey SS 6 6-0 175lbs View Profile
Bradley Harrison OF 14 6-3 190lbs View Profile
Bryan Hudson LHP 16 6-7 200lbs View Profile
Matt Hopkins 1B 5 6-2 190lbs View Profile
Andrew Millas C 8 6-1 165lbs View Profile
Jacob Wilson RHP 18 5-10 200lbs View Profile
Fahd Shakeel OF 11 5-11 160lbs View Profile
Brady Schanuel RHP 10 6-2 180lbs View Profile
Carter Hayden RHP 4 5-10 155lbs View Profile
Bradley Snyder 1B 12 6-2 180lbs View Profile
Chris Holba RHP 3 6-2 160lbs View Profile
Kyle VanBevern SS 19 6-2 185lbs View Profile
Austin Christ RHP 15 6-7 225lbs View Profile
Collin Clayton OF 1 6-0 165lbs View Profile
Grant Robison RHP
6-7 235lbs View Profile
Derrick Rozycke OF
5-9 165lbs View Profile
Dylan McEwen 2B/MIF
5-11 155lbs View Profile


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