By Jacob Gill
Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting

harriton hs @ springfield hs (march 28)

On a day when the weather couldn't make up its mind (light snow at the start, sunny and pleasant in the middle innings, overcast and windy at the end), the Springfield HS Cougars decided that a 3-run deficit after the top of the first inning would not prevent them from picking up a win in their Central League opener, which they did, 5-4, in walk-off fashion.

After a shaky first inning that saw Harriton's first six hitters reach base, 2013 RHP John O'Doherty settled down and held the Rams scoreless over the next five frames. At 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, O'Doherty has a clean arm action and throws from a three-quarter slot. His fastball had occasional cut to his gloveside and he commanded a slurvy 11/5 breaking ball well. He also exhibited quick feet on his pickoff attempts.

Despite O'Doherty's efforts, the hitting standout of the day was Harriton 2014 OF Andre Pendleton. The left-handed hitter reached base in all four of his plate appearances, picking up a single, double, walk, and hit-by-pitch. Pendleton hits from a square, even stance and stands on top of the dish.  He has a short stride and no hand load prior to launch. He is an above average runner, posting a 4.4 home-to-1B time on a turn. He also showed average arm strength with accuracy, gunning down a runner on a nice one-hop throw to the plate.

Springfield had its own outfielder to reach base four times, 2013 right-handed hitter Jake Brown. He picked up a two-RBI single to left in his first at-bat, following that up with another single and two walks. Brown steps in the bucket a tad and rolls his top hand at contact, but he does have some strength in his frame.

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