The 2017 Border Battle took place on Saturday, October 21^st and Sunday, October 22^nd at Nick Denes Field, the home of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.  This event included a position player workout, followed by pitchers throwing live on the game mound, with the 2018 and 2019’s playing on Saturday and the 2020’s on Sunday. Players were afforded the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of the PBR Tennessee staff and college coaches in attendance. The following is a look at the top statistical performances from the event.

CLICK HERE  to view the stats for all players who participated on the Tennessee side of the Border Battle.

TOP PITCHING VELOCITIES 
89 – Jonathan Alexander, RHP, Scotts Hill, 2018
88 – Nathanial Tate, RHP, Coffee County, 2018
88 – Solomon Washington, RHP, Centennial, 2019
88 – Ben Peoples, RHP, Giles County, 2019
87 – Cole Heath, RHP, Davidson Academy, 2020

- Alexander, a previously unranked 2018 prospect, touched 89 twice while showcasing his quick arm.  Attending his first PBR event, he made a strong impression showcasing his consistent 86-89 fastball with occasional arm side life.  He also mixed in a 70-72 curveball and a 77-78 changeup.

TOP EXIT VELOCITIES
97 – Elijah Williams, OF/LHP, Spring Hill, 2020
94 – Sean McLaughlin, 3B, Knights Academy, 2018
93 – Brady Moore, OF, Scotts Hill, 2018
92 – Nathanial Tate, C/RHP, Coffee County, 2018

- Williams, attending his first PBR event, made a strong first impression while showing off his bat-speed.  The physical left-handed hitter had an impressive batting practice, to go with his strong running time and defense in center field.  

 - Moore, a senior from Scotts Hill, posted the 3^rd best exit velocity despite having his right arm go numb due to a hit he suffered in football.  Using just his lower half to generate this exit velocity, Moore is someone worth seeing fully healthy. 

TOP OF VELOCITIES 
86 - Grayson Cole, RHP/OF, Mt. Juliet, 2020
85 – C.J. Campbell, OF, Central Magnet, 2019
84 – Ben Willcoxon, IF/OF, Sevier County, 2020
81 – Ross Pendergrass, RHP/OF, Rhea County, 2020
81 – Elijah Williams, OF/LHP, Spring Hill, 2020
81 – Bradley Garland, OF, Baylor, 2020

- Cole, the 17th ranked player in the 2020 class for Tennessee, showed his elite arm strength in the OF.  Featuring carry through the target, he kept his throws online and at cutoff height.  This velocity translated to the mound, where he pitched at 85 consistently.

TOP IF VELOCITIES 
88 – Ashton King, SS, Farragut, 2019
88 – Noah Gent, SS, Grace Christian Academy, 2019
87 – Solomon Washington, SS, Centennial, 2019
85 – Ben Willcoxon, IF/OF, Sevier County, 2020

- King and Gent both showed big arm strength as middle infielders.  They are both true shortstops w/ reliable gloves, soft hands and ability to make throws from different arm slots.

TOP C POP TIMES 
1.94-1.97 – Nathan Lewis, C, Home School, 2020
1.97-2.00 – Caleb Hawkins, C, Stewarts Creek, 2020
1.97-2.00 – Parker Noland, C/3B, Farragut, 2019
1.97-2.07 – Nathanial Tate, C/RHP, Coffee County, 2018 

- Lewis, the top ranked catcher in the 2020 class, continued to show his strong throwing ability.  He threw out two runners in game, including a runner at third on a 1.62 pop time. 

TOP HOME TO FIRST TIMES
4.19 – Nathanial Tate, C/RHP, Coffee County, 2018
4.22 – Blaine McIntosh, OF, Sycamore, 2019
4.28 – Elijah Williams, OF/LHP, Spring Hill, 2020
4.34 – Brandon Langenberg, OF, West, 2019

- Tate, a previously unranked 2018 prospect, showed his running speed and athleticism by recording a 4.19 home to first time in game.  A plus runner underway, he shows the ability to change the game on the base paths with an aggressive mentality.