-Fluor Field: Wade Hampton vs Byrnes-

One of the better HS games I have seen this year took place tonight at Fluor Field between Byrnes Rebels and Wade Hampton Generals. Both teams are battling to get into the playoffs which produced an intense atmosphere with about 1,500 fans in attendance. This affair brought a little bit of everything to the table: homerun, two upper-80’s arms, multiple doubles, inside-the-park homerun and a walk-off to end things!

DP Note: I’m not sure if there is another minor league park that does a better job than the Greenville Drive, perhaps there is? Through my eight years of playing and working in the minor leagues I never saw what I have witnessed over the past three years here. The Drive does an amazing job with involving surrounding high schools and treating these games just like one of their own. The amenities are first class. From the music, to PA announcer, concessions, in between innings activities, sound effects, mascot, scoreboard with radar, etc. The upstate is very lucky to have such a great organization and upper management to provide the stage they do. Simply first class and well-orchestrated.

-Game Recap-

Byrnes senior Alex Eubanks (UNC Asheville) squared off against Wade Hampton’s Ridge Chapman for seven innings tonight before one had to leave with the loss. Both threw zero’s on the board first two frames then the Rebels plated four runs in the third off back-to-back doubles (from Eubanks and Alex Vazquez) and a pair of errors. The Generals answered right back in the fourth as Eubanks started to labor. After walking the first two hitters, Chapman smoked a pull side double that got misplayed in right field and Chapman ended up with an inside-the-park homerun. KJ Bryant tied the game in the fifth with his blast over the green monster and the Generals took the lead in the sixth off Jackson Strange’s two-out single.

We go the bottom of the seventh with Wade Hampton leading 5-4… Chapman recorded the two quick outs and all signs pointed to Generals winning. Chapman surrendered a walk then Eubanks legged out an infield single and both runners advanced as the ball got past the first baseman. An intentional walk was ordered to load the bases bringing up Hunter Hernandez. Chapman grooved a fastball on the inner half and Hernandez drilled a two-RBI single for the walk-off and keeping Byrnes in the playoff picture.

Final: Byrnes 6 Wade Hampton 5 WP: Alex Eubanks LP: Ridge Chapman 2B: Eubanks, Vazquez, Chapman, Grabowski, Norrell HR: Bryant (WH), Chapman (WH) 

-Prospects-

Byrnes HS

– Senior RHP Alex Eubanks (UNC Asheville) came out of the gate pounding the zone with 87-88 MPH fastballs and snapping off sharp sliders at 75-77 MPH. Eubanks started to labor in the fourth and stuff dropped. Fastball settled in at 83-85 MPH and he had issues locating which was a rare sight. He battled through and figured out how to be successful with sub-par stuff. Eubanks not only got the job done the mound but also played a big role offensively. He doubled a run in the third then extended the seventh inning by legging out a single which eventually helped his team win. True competitor and has a bright future ahead of him at UNC Asheville… Freshman SS Mason Streater continues to shows signs of coming into his own and becoming a legit baseball player. He is a two-year starter for the Rebels and all signs point to mid-to-upper tier D1 prospect. As long as he doesn’t put things on cruise control because of the hype, not only DP is giving him but everyone else, Streater will have a chance to play this game for a long time.

Wade Hampton HS

– Senior OF KJ Bryant (Clemson) was Jekyll and Hyde tonight. Two AB’s he absolutely blistered the baseball and the other two looked like he had never picked up a bat. I will say this, the two balls he hit were murdered; one hit well over the green monster on a rope. Bryant has the tools that every pro scout loves to see out of amateur players and he may have a big decision to make come June. Kid can run, throw, and hit for power when he connects. Frame projects extremely well also. I would like to see more consistency at plate and if he ever figures it out – watch out because he could move up the ladder quickly…. Junior RHP/1B Ridge Chapman showed well from the mound. Arm works but delivery is inconsistent and violent creating varying release points. Fastball sat 84-87 the entire night (more 86-87’s through four innings) and he spun and breaking ball in for strikes at 71-74. I saw a legit change up in between innings but never implemented during the game. Chapman projects as a D1 arm but also swings a solid stick with juice. I have seen him three times this year and he has hit in every viewing; mostly for power. He will have a chance to take his career further and more velocity is in there. Great job competing and not showing emotions during rough times. Chapman seems level headed and mature… Senior SS Jordan Ford remains uncommitted and should come off the board soon. Ford has matured his game very quickly even though the bat still has some work ahead. Defensively he is totally fine showing range, confidence in the glove, and a firm arm across. Ford made some plays tonight that I haven’t seen him make before. Arm and frame project to stay on left side of infield and he has the opportunity to make a club this fall if he finds the right fit. I just do not see this kid staying on the board too much longer.

-Notables-

Byrnes HS – Junior OF Alex Vazquez, Eighth grader C Dallas Callahan, Junior 1B Hunter Hernandez

Wade Hampton HS – Junior OF Justin Grabowski, Senior OF Jackson Norrell