By Doug Hall
Tennessee Director of Scouting

The WWBA 17U National Championships took place July 4-11 in Georgia, and the Diamond-Simcox 17U Blue team made quite a run over the week-long event.

With a 6-1 record in pool play, Diamond-Simcox won Pool C and in the process earned a first-round bye in the Championship round.  The pitching was outstanding as they allowed a total of 16 runs in the seven pool play games.

Diamond-Simcox squared off against Marucci-Trosclair in Round two of the playoffs and got outstanding pitching from starter Ethan Elliott.  The left-hander scattered seven hits and allowed two runs in 6.2 innings.  Seth Hunt delivered a big two-run single in the fifth, and when the game went to an eighth inning with both teams getting the opportunity to load the bases with one out to determine a winner, Cody Ott’s fielder’s choice scored what would turn out to be the winning run for a 3-2 victory.

Diamond-Simcox advanced to the third round of the playoffs (final 16 teams) in the nightcap before losing a tough one to the Evoshield Canes South 8-7.

Below we take a look at some of the standout performers for Diamond-Simcox during the tournament.

Duncan Pence, SS, R/R, Farragut HS, 2016
Pence, who will participate in the Prep Baseball Report Future Games in Indianapolis July 31-August 2, put his power on full display.  He went 8-for-26 (.308) during the tournament with a double, two triples, and two home runs.  Pence drove in five runs and stole two bases as well.  Pence is currently uncommitted.

Zach Sears, 1B, R/R, Hardin Valley, 2015
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Sears showed the power in his offensive game by going 8-for-25 (.320) with four doubles, one home run, and six RBIs.  Sears is currently uncommitted.

Will Morrow, OF, L/L, Webb School of Knoxville, 2015
Morrow, a left-handed hitting OF went 6-for-19 (.316) with a triple and compiled a .409 on base percentage for the tournament.  Morrow is currently uncommitted.

Ethan Elliott, LHP, Knoxville Catholic HS, 2015
Elliott, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound lefty started two games and made one relief appearance in picking up a win, a save, and a no decision.  He worked 14 innings allowing just eight hits and two earned runs while recording 15 strikeouts.  Elliott’s fastball reportedly topped out in the low 80’s.  He is currently uncommitted.

Ty King, RHP, Bradley HS, 2015
The lanky 6-foot-6, 180-pound RHP allowed just 4 hits while firing 8.1 scoreless innings in picking up two wins.  The projectable right-hander’s fastball reportedly topped out at 84 mph.  King is currently uncommitted.

Alex Curl, LHP, Maryville HS, 2015
Curl, who just committed to Tennessee this week, picked up a win in tossing 9.1 innings while allowing seven hits and four earned runs while recording 11 strikeouts.  Curl’s fastball reportedly topped out at 88 mph.

Patrick Raby, RHP, Farragut HS, 2015
The Vandy commit racked up 10 strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work with a fastball that reportedly topped at 92 mph.

Tyler Thompson, RHP, Hardin Valley, 2016
The 6-foot-5, 180-pound rising junior allowed four earned runs in 8.1 innings of work while recording nine strikeouts.  Thompson picked up a win and a loss in the tournament and his fastball reportedly topped at 89 mph.  Thompson is currently uncommitted and will be pitching at the Prep Baseball Report Future Games in Indianapolis July 31-August 2.

William Heflin, LHP, Morristown West HS, 2016
Heflin, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound uncommitted lefty picked up a win in working 9 innings while allowing four earned runs and racking up 11 strikeouts.  His fastball reportedly topped out at 84 mph.