The 3A District III playoffs received the nod tonight for DP over at Eastside HS as the Eagles hosted Belton-Honea Path Bears (BHP). The Eagles made a run in 2013, making it to the Upper State Championships and look to put themselves in position again this year. BHP needed to take two games from Eastside to advance and they had their horse’s lineup ready to go. Heavy thunderstorms came through and dumped on the field with more lingering as the night progressed. Baseball was played and a District champion was crowned.
-Mitchell Soars Eagles to Upper State-
Eastside’s Graham Mitchell tossed a complete game tonight giving his Eagles consecutives District Championships. BHP had Jake Crawford going game one for them with sophomore stallion Blake Holliday in the stable for game two. Crawford smoked a triple off the first pitch Mitchell threw to begin the game and Dylan Southerland’s fielder’s choice gave the Bears a quick 1-0 lead. Both pitchers hung zeros over their next two frames before Eastside plated four runs in the third. As Crawford started to labor, the Eagles took advantage of the opportunity. With runners on second and third, Mitchell helped his own cause by singling both runner in. Sam Jones and Hamilton McCauley brought in two more later in the inning giving Eastside a solid 4-1 lead.
Mitchell then put things on cruise control as Eastside started pouring it on offensively. Crawford exited the game in the fourth after a couple of walks and wild pitches that allowed another Eagle to cross. Dylan Spence didn’t fare too well finding the zone either and allowed three more runs to score in the fifth, putting this game out of reach.
After a blemish in the first inning Mitchell controlled the remainder of the game and his offense took care of the rest to give Eastside their second consecutive District Championship.
Final Score: Eastside 8 BHP 1 WP: Graham Mitchell LP: Jake Crawford
DP Note: The stage is set for the 3A Upper State now and what a dogfight this will be. AC Flora will host Eastside on Monday as Greenville travels to Wren. This will be a sight to see play out as the battle begins on Monday!
-Prospects Info: Eastside-
Graham Mitchell – 2015, Uncommitted, UTL/RHP: I have witnessed this kid play every position in the infield over the course of his HS career. Tonight he did what he usually does from the mound which is shut down the opponent. Mitchell is one of the few HS pitchers across the state that has an actual idea of what he is doing. Three pitches from up top and two pitches down low, Mitchell mixes his arsenal up very well and keeps everything in the zone. Tonight he pitched off his changeup and kept hitters out on their front foot. Fastball up top was 83-86 MPH and down low was 78-81 MPH. What is impressive is his ability to add/subtract the breaking ball and be able to command it. Sometimes he snapped in a small bender to get ahead or just to set up the sweeping bender. Offensively I still believe Mitchell is going to be a hitter when it is all said and done with. One thing is for sure, he understands the game, the player he is, and will be a solid commit for a mid-major D1 school.
Will Thorpe – 2015, Uncommitted, OF: The more I see Thorpe play the more I see how his game is going to translate over to college baseball. Leadoff hitter with the ability to lay it down, spray the baseball around the field, and run very well. The body passes the eye test now and will fill out nicely moving forward. This was a good time to see what he looked like up against velocity and he was impressive. He got down the line at 4.02 with his drag bunt and then put an aggressive swing on an 87 MPH inside FB from Crawford and smoked it down the line. Lefty/lefty player with range and slightly above average arm in centerfield.
Hamilton McCauley – 2016, Uncommitted, OF: Usually your first instinct about a kid is correct and throughout this year I was second guessing what I saw out of McCauley in February because he wasn’t playing. Fortunately my eyes didn’t lie when I saw this good looing kid play at my DP scrimmage at Wren HS earlier in the year. McCauley possesses bat speed, slight juice, and wheels. Righty/righty outfielder that has a great frame to fill out and swings are aggressive as a sophomore. Have only seen him twice but can tell you this kid has a chance to be pretty good. Hopefully more sightings of him are to come.
Zach White – 2014, Newberry signee, 3B: White has always been a solid player but I have seen his game mature over the course of the year. White now plays with a heads up approach. When kid’s start figuring things out usually the game slows down for them and actions just seem to be effortless. White now knows how the ball is going to hop on him and positions accordingly. He knows what kind of kick the ball will have when he flares one to left and he takes second base on a routine single. It is the little things I have noticed about White that shows me the game has slowed down for him. I think he is completely ready for college baseball and Newberry will be happy with this commit.
-Prospects Info: BHP-
Jake Crawford – 2015, Furman commit, SS/RHP: No doubt Crawford will have a chance to be a dual player at Furman. Tonight wasn’t his best night on the mound but he will be fine moving forward. FB climbed up to 89 MPH and sat 86-87 MPH with a couple of 88’s. He just struggled to finish and get over his front leg. Everything else was fine. Offensively Crawford was a homerun away from hitting for the cycle. First pitch of the game he took off the fence in left on a rope for a triple. Then he doubled in the third and singled later in the sixth. Crawford is athletic and can run (4.54 – 4.65 turns). Enjoy his competiveness and his versatility.
Dax Roper – 2016, Uncommitted, C/1B: The 2016 catching class is deep but Roper is inching his way up the list every time I lay eyes on him. Physically you couldn’t ask for anything better for a backstop standing 6-1/220. Arm gets a little behind his head on his transfer but arm strength is present and ball flight is true (2.10-2.20). He had issues tonight with receiving and blocking Crawford which will need to get better. Good thing is he has three guys that are 85+ right now and will probably be low 90’s before he gets out of HS so catching plus arms everyday isn’t lacking; which will help his receiving and blocking issues. Offensively his swing has gotten better since I last saw him in early March at the IP. Raw power is definantly there but now he seems to be seeing the ball better and putting healthy hacks on pitches he likes. Can’t wait to see what kind of player emerges as he continues to take more and more reps.
-Notables-
– Eastside’s Sam Jones is a tough HS catcher that plays the game aggressive. Love this kids heart.
– BHP’s Dylan Spence struggled finding the zone but had a short and quick arm that sat 84-85 MPH. Mechanics will need to be addressed and arm swing needs to be more fluid. Very violent action right now.
– BHP’s Blake Holliday came in relief and got up to 87 MPH but sat 84-86 MPH. Mechanics and delivery weren’t synced up and he struggled with front half bailing and lower half fighting upper half of body.