Road to Baum: 2A State Tournament Preview

May 10, 2017

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The road to Baum Stadium starts Thursday May 11^th for teams across the state of Arkansas. We will break down all 7 classifications before Thursday. Today we will begin by looking at 3A classification. The tournament will be hosted by East Poinsett County High School.

Top Bracket

Buffalo Island Central vs Bye
Springhill vs Pangburn

Conway Christian vs Bye
Palestine Wheatley vs Poyen

Team to Beat: Conway Christian is a team that has dominated their competition all spring with a record of 25-3. They have scored on average 10 runs per game and are holding opponents under three runs per game. This group has been on the cusp of Baum Stadium appearance over the last few season, falling just shy of a finals appearance. I believe this roster has the talent to make a run.

Challenger; Buffalo Island Central; The Mustangs have a record of 16-6 and are playing well down the stretch winning their regional. A name to know on their roster will be 2018 RHP/INF Andrew McFarland. He has been their most productive player with the bat and on the mound. Offensively he is hitting .333 with 10 doubles, a triple and 25 RBIs. On the mound he has an ERA of 2.23 in 44 innings pitched recording 57 strike outs. He has several capable athletes around him, but for BIC to upset, Conway Christian, McFarland will need to have a big game.

Sleeper; Springhill has a record of 21-9 and have played a challenging schedule in a tough region. They will be prepared for the moment, not letting the competition level overwhelm them. Offensively the Bears are anchored by 2 seniors in the middle of their lineup that have produced at a high level. 2017 C Josh Winfield and 2017 OF/RHP Blake Waller have combined to drive in 85 runs on the year. Winfield is hitting .549 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, and 6 home runs, and Waller is hitting .463 with 12 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs. Their dynamic offense will give them a chance to win three games in three days.

Others to Know

2017 RHP Will Nash Palestine Wheatley has the ability to dominant a contest with a mid-80’s fastball and a solid breaking ball. Something to watch in the opening round if you are looking for an upset.

Bottoms Bracket

Harmony Grove vs Bye
Magazine vs McCrory

Sloan Hendrix vs Bye
Parkers Chapel vs St. Joseph

Team to Beat: Harmony Grove; The Hornets are 18-7 on the season, and won the deepest region in the classification. 2017 RHP/MIF Brett Bearden has been their most productive offensive player and been sound for them on the mound. Bearden has hit .400 on the season 26 RBIs along with 12 doubles, 3 triples and 5 home runs. On the mound he has an ERA of 2.36 with 46 strike outs in 35 innings pitched. 2019 RHP Gannon Bearden as lead the Hornets in innings pitched logging 52 innings with a 2.29 ERA while strike out 68 hitters. After receiving a bye they should be able to rely on their effective 1-2 punch to make a trip to Baum Stadium.

Challenger: Parkers Chapel; The Trojans fell to the Harmony Grove 5-2 in the regional final, but appear to be their biggest challenger in this side of the bracket. Parkers Chapel is 20-11 on the season. They have relied on a deep pitching staff that is led by 2019 RHP TJ Bale. Bale is an undersized right-hander with a quick arm and a solid breaking. He has the ability to pile up the strike outs against anyone. They will be tough to beat in the State Tournament setting due to the experience Coach Mark Looney has of successfully navigating Parkers Chapel to 3 state championships during his tenue as the head coach.

Sleeper: Magazine is a sleeper to make a run to the championship with experienced pitching staff, which have made the Rattlers competitive consistently night in and night out allowing under 3 runs per contest. If they are going to make a run look for 2018 RHP Randon Baumgartner, 2017 RHP Shaeffer Loyd and 2018 RHP Trevor Blake to have a solid tournament.

Road to Baum: 2A State Tournament Preview

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