Road to Baum: 3A 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 Harrison Parks and Recreation.

Jack Williams Bracket

Corning vs Bald Knob
Atkins vs Junction City

Harding Academy vs Clinton
Horatio vs Charleston

Team to Beat: Harding Academy; A very talented group with a frontline arm to lead the way. 2018 RHP Peydon Harlow gives the Wildcats a true No.1 with an upper 80’s fastball and the ability to locate a solid breaking ball on a consistent basis. Offensively they have multiple athletes which can make an impact, to complete their goa of winning a state title 2018 MIF Pate Fullerton will need to sit the table from the leadoff spot and play steady defense at Short Stop. Fullerton is very capable as he shows advanced actions at short stop with an accurate arm with carry. Names that are under the radar on this roster are 2018 IB/OF Timmy Stewart and 2018 INF/RHP Seth Morgan.

Challenger; Horatio; The Lions are the defending State Champions, Coach Lance Spigner has shown patience with the young group and has molded them into another team looking to contend for the a state title. This group is anchored by 2018 RHP/CIF Wade Beasley. He is a large framed player with big time arm strength with a fastball that works into the low 90s, and locates a big time breaking ball with late break. Pitching depth is an area of concern if Horatio is going to make a run.

Sleeper; Junction City; The Dragons moved up to 3A from 2A where they finished as the 2016 2A State Championship runner up. They have made a solid transition to 3A winning their district tournament and competing well in the regional tournament. 2020 RHP Keelan Hodge pitched a gem in the first round of the regional, if they are going to make a run, they will have to receive solid contributions from their underclassmen across the board. Overall they have the pitching depth to last for 3 games in 3 days, if they can find enough offense.

Others to Know

2018 RHP Ty Johnson and 2018 MIF/RHP Bryce Dodd from Clinton High School are two high end prospects which will compete at a high level against Harding Academy. If they can get enough help they will have a chance to win the game late vs Harding Academy.

Pippin Wholesale Bracket

Greenland vs Smackover
Manila vs Harmony Grove

Genoa Central vs Jessieville
Mayflower vs Riverside

Team to Beat: Genoa Central; A battled tested group which is playing its best baseball down the stretch after dealing with adversity early in the season. A line up that has two power threats in 2017 OF/RHP Tyler Moreland and 2018 C Mason Sellers, a competitive group around them which grind out at bats. On the mound, they have used several arms, watch for 2017 RHP/OF Tyler Moreland 2018 RHP Trevor Wells, 2019 RHP Dylan Rushing, and 2020 Cason Brigham to carry the load on the mound.

Challenger: Mayflower; a versatile group of athletes, which play with energy, and compete at a high level. Without the injury to 2018 RHP Brady Wilcox the Eagles probably would be my favorite to advance to the finals without Wilcox, they lack a true shut down No.1 on the mound. Their staff is solid with several strike throwers that will give them enough for their offense to have a shot to push them through. 2019 CIF/RHP Dalton Muse is a player to watch as he had a big regional tournament showing the ability to hit the ball for power.

Sleeper: Benton Harmony Grove; A similar team to Mayflower, a little younger roster but they have a similar feel. They are well coached, they play hard and are athletic enough to produce runs offensively. A young player who stood out in the regional tournament was 2020 INF Jared Toler. He showed the ability to make loud contact on a consistent basis, a frame that projects moving forward.

Others to Know

2017 RHP Gavin Stone Riverside HS; A crafty right-hander with advanced arm strength and a solid breaking ball, he will be a handful for Mayflower in the first round

2017 RHP Beau Burson Smackover HS; A competitor that has been nails on the mound for Smackover, he will challenge Greenland in the first round 4-1 match up.

Road to Baum: 3A State Tournament Preview

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