Page 801 – Diamond Prospects

Recap: 2009 IP Classic

By: Sterling Dye & Austin Alexander – March 5-8, 2009 The weather for the 19th annual IP Classic in Georgetown, SC was much better than last year, to say the least! The eight talented teams in the 2009 field were greeted by beautiful, but chilly weather on Thursday. After a blustery start, it was nothing but sunshine in the mid-7… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well. Username Password Remember Me Forgot Password

Recap: South Aiken T-Breds at Gilbert Indians

By: David List – March 4, 2009 Diamond Prospects rolled into Gilbert to view part of the postponed PBT preseason tournament. The first game featured two of the states top players in Chris Owings (Gilbert) and Tucker Hawley (South Aiken). This one was a pitchers duel from the start and would be interesting to the very end. South Aiken c… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

2009 RBI Preview

By: DP Staff Writer – March 4, 2009 Anyone who is unable to attend the IP Classic but still wants to see quality prep baseball should plan to camp out at White Knoll High School starting Thursday afternoon. Coach Jonny Thompson and his staff have changed the name and format of their preseason tournament to give it more of a "tournament" feel. What has been known previously as the Michelin Classic (played over 7 days) has been transformed into the Red Bank Invitational (RBI) and will now be played during a four-day period. The RBI will not take precedent over the prestigious IP Classic but with the quality of the field assembled, it will run a close second. This year’s field consists of seven AAAA Schools and perennial AAA power A.C. Flora. Every school in the field touts top prospects, quality coaching and potential to make a deep run in the playoffs in 2009. Here is a capsule of the 2009 field: Laurens Raiders – Coach Dale Nelson and company come in to the RBI off back-to-back Region Championships and District Finals appearances. They are led by Travis Burnside (SMC) and Dre Watts (CofC), right. The Raiders have a talented group around these two stud arms and are a strong candidate to compete for the Upper State title. Laurens will also call on outfielder Adam Taylor and junior infielder Tori Patterson to produce in the line-up this season. White Knoll Timberwolves – Coach Jonny Thompson and staff are looking to continue their strong success of the last two seasons. The Wolves, once again, find themselves without their "ace" returning on the bump but have several quality arms who are ready to get the job done. Seniors Corey Holmes (FDT) and Todd Joyner (FDT), left, will combine to lead the offensive punch for the Wolves. Infielder Josh Sealey provides a plus glove in the middle infield and Austin Dunn will anchor the staff behind the plate, while junior Zack Smith will hold down the 3-hole. Spring Valley Vikings – The Vikings roll into the RBI after sharing the Region title in 2008. Senior LHP Jake Zokan (CofC) will give the Vikings a strong chance to win every time he has the ball in his hands. Along with Zokan, outfielders Jeremiah Jackson (USC-Salk), Joc Brunson (right) and catcher Andrew Floyd will give the Vikings a strong senior class. INF/RHP Jared Keels will combine with several other underclassmen to help round out Coach Charlie Wentzky’s squad. A.C. Flora Falcons – After appearing in back-to-back AAA State Finals (2007 Champs) the Falcons bring a strong resume to the table. Coach Andy Hallett’s squad was, again depleted by graduation, but they have a solid group ready to step in and keep the program in tip-top shape. Seniors Alex Mitchell and Joseph O’steen will combine with Russell Gahagen to anchor the rotation. Senior James Newman and Junior Connor Lewis will provide the thump in the Falcons order. The Falcons will also rely on the dependable Duy Phan at short and to help set the table for the power bats. Flora also has one of the state’s top freshman in David Houser (left). Lexington Wildcats – Coach Tommy Mishoe will, yet again, have a strong club in 2009. The Wildcats have to replace Gus White (Wofford) on the bump, but have a foursome who are capable of doing the job. Seniors Robert Hendrix (Limestone) and Derek Smith will team with juniors John McInnis (right) and Alex Brooks to lead the Wildcat rotation. Senior Matt Van Lann (Charleston Southern) arm injury will hamper him in ’09 and prove to be a void in the lineup. Lexington is the defending champion of this tournament and has the potential to win it again. Dutch Fork Siver Foxes – Coach Randy Johnson is in his first year at the helm of the Dutch Fork program after taking over for legendary Coach Al Berry. Coach Johnson inherited a group that lost three seniors off last years Region Co-Champion team. Seniors Chad Balderman (Limestone), left, and Tyler Martin (Mars Hill) will team with Matt Radford (Jr) to give the Foxes a quality front line staff. Limestone commitment, Will Keel (Sr), provides a quality glove in the middle infield and brings a few years experience to table. Switch-hitting catcher Ryan McPhail will anchor the team behind the dish to continue Silver Fox tradition of having a solid backstop. Blythewood Bengals – The Bengals will head into AAAA for the first time in the school’s existence this season. Coach Barry Mizzell’s team will use the experience they gained from its Upper State runner-up finish a year ago. Senior Michael Hanzlik (Gardner Webb), left, will lead a young staff that will also feature senior Will Smith. Daniel Andreu (USC-Sumter) will team with Hanzlik to provide a solid middle infield for the Bengals. Offensively the Bengals will be led by USC commitment Grayson Greiner (Soph). Although the Bengals are making the step up to AAAA this season, they have the talent to be competitive immediately. Sumter Gamecocks – After losing the battery of Matt Price (USC) and Tony Micklon (PC), many programs would struggle the following year. However, Coach Brooks Shumake will have plenty of able bodies to fill in and several returners who are back for what seems like the sixth year! Junior Stephen Curtis will provide power to the Gamecock order and will also give the Cocks a solid pitcher on the bump. Curtis will team with junior Tyler Smith and Bruce Caldwell (Soph) to give the Gamecocks a solid staff. Caldwell and Stephen Stafford will also help pace the offensive unit for the Gamecocks. If history holds true, count on Coach Shumake to have another young diamond in the rough this year contributing for his squad, it may just be sophomore Jeremy Buckner (right). For updated information stemming from this tourney, click here.

Spring Preview: Laurens Academy Crusaders

By: Travis Casey – February 18, 2009 Although graduating five seniors in 2008, four of whom were starters, the Crusader baseball team expects continued success on the diamond in 2009. Entering his third season as the head baseball coach, Wofford baseball alum, Travis Casey,is excited about a challenging schedule and encouraged by the team’s pr… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

2009 IP Classic Preview

By: Austin Alexander-March 4, 2009 Any baseball player, coach, scout or fan in South Carolina is well-aware of the International Paper Classic’s significance on the Palmetto State’s prep landscape. Going into its 19th year of existence, the battle by the paper mill has done nothing but gain momentum from its humble beginnings. In 1991 the idea was adopted and put into action by bringing four in-state teams in for a double-elimination tournament. Since then, the tourney has undergone several facelifts ranging from expanding the field to eight clubs to a period of time when half of the participating teams were from outside our borders. Since 2000, the beloved birthplace of pre-season tournaments has been in the capable hands of Ms. Alicia Johnson. It has been on her watch that the four-day affair has seen incredible growth in interest, attendance and with the historical facility itself. ————————————————————– We had a recent Q and A with Ms. Johnson about the tournaments past and present. She was able to provide us additional information about the tourney’s yesterday’s and on the upcoming weekend. DP-What has this tournament come to represent for the people of Georgetown? AJ-The IP Classic has become one of the top community events in Georgetown. We are so fortunate to have the generosity and support of International Paper because without them we would not be able to put on a tournament of this caliber. The entire community rallies around this tournament. It is like Christmas in March for the Georgetown Baseball family-there is a lot of preparation and build-up months in advance and a let-down feeling after it is all over. Many Georgetown Baseball parents save their vacation days to take during the IP Classic. Former students and players come home for the weekend to come to the IP Classic. DP-Give us some insight as to how the tournament field is selected: AJ-Picking the IP Classic participants is such a difficult job because of all of the top caliber baseball programs in our state. We try to select teams who are believed to have the potential to win it all as well as teams with top-flight prospects. We try to pick a balance of upper and lower state teams as well. There hasn’t been a lot of change in the AAA field the past couple of years, but Riverside and Brookland-Cayceare the perennial powers in AAA. Georgetown gets to play in the tournament as the host. In 4A, we really focused on the teams that had the strongest playoff runs a year ago and which clubs had quality talent returning. DP-Which 2009 match-ups seem the most intriguing? AJ-On Day 1 we have the re-match of last year’s 4A Championship with Boiling Springs and Conway hooking back up in a much-anticipated game, big crowds are expected for that one. Of course Dorman and Boiling Springs will square off in a non-region game between two teams that are very familiar with one another. Riverside and Brookland-Cayce has become a good rivalry with some interesting storylines this season! We are very excited about our 2009 field and expect to see a number of well-played games. ————————————————————- Indeed the IP Classic has, once again, assembled a group of clubs that will attract a high volume of coaches and scouts. Georgetown serves as the host team and has been apart of every tourney since the very first one. Three clubs are making their first appearance at the IP Classic, four were there a year ago and DP’s #1 team Dorman will show up in Georgetown for the fourth time in search of their first title. Riverside has taken home the hardware three times, the most of any other team. Let’s take a look at this year’s field and how they have fared in this tourney. Team Capsule and IP Classic History Team Total Appearances* Last Appearance Titles Belton-Honea Path 0 – – Boiling Springs 0 – – Brookland-Cayce 8 2008 1 Conway 3 2008 – Dorman 4 2007 – Georgetown 19 2008 – Riverside 9 2008 3 Wando 0 – 0 * Includes 2009’s appearance While collegiate baseball schedules make it very difficult for coaches to hit the road in the spring, most view the Thursday night and Friday games as "can’t miss" match-ups. Over the years it has also become an opportunity for many of these coaches, who believe it or not are very good friends, to get together during an otherwise very busy period of the year. In recent years, the NCAA has implemented a recruiting calendar that keeps Division I coaches off the recruiting trail from mid-November until March 1, for many, the IP Classic kicks off the new evaluation season. ————————————————————– Double A’s Take: Having been a high school baseball player in this state, I recall the anxiety over hoping that your school would be one of the few selected for the next year’s honor of playing at Mike Johnson Park. I was never fortunate enough to get that invite but in my first year of coaching in 1998, our James Island Trojans got the nod and what an experience it was for our club, from the competition to all of the pageantry that surrounds the weekend. Since that time I have found my seat behind the dish as an evaluator. I can tell you that in the past nine years, like myself, most college coaches and many pro scouts gather the IP dates and plan much of their scouting schedule around these four days. My favorite IP story is that of former Gamecock recruiting coordinator Jim Toman, now the head coach at Liberty University. Back when he was an assistant at North Carolina State, he met his future bride whose brother was participating in the tournament. They now have three children and live in Lynchburg, VA. I believe that most baseball people hear the word Georgetown or shoot through the area and immediately think of this event. Each year Ms. Johnson and her staff put together a competitive and talent-filled group of teams. Each year they put on a great show and make it a place that quality high school programs …

Recap: Coastal Invitational

By: Joey Haug – February 27-28, 2009 Diamond Prospects was in Pawley’s Island for Waccamaw High School’s annual Coastal Invitational this weekend and Warrior head coach Jeff Gregory once again put together a top-tier list of 1A and 2A teams from around the state. Waccamaw has also made significant upgrades to their playing surface, backstop and b… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

Recap: Baseball at the Beach

By: Adam Vrable and Austin Alexander – February 27-28, 2009 Diamond Prospects camped out in Myrtle Beach on Friday and Saturday to take a peak at four local clubs, three from the Rock Hill area and one out of Greenville. The annual Baseball at the Beach tourney used five Myrtle Beach area ballparks to service the eight-team field. With weather… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

DP Scout Day: Conway Tigers

By: Austin Alexander – February 26, 2009 The 2009 Tigers will feature some new names in the line-up but famiiar faces on the mound, which is where their optomism for the spring lies. Coastal Carolina signee Bobby Watford is on the mend following broken bones in his throwing hand while running "steps" and senior Colby Holmes is back for his final year in a Conway uniform to form a dynamic 1-2 punch in the playoffs. In the meantime, Anthony Carroll and his braintrust will need to locate a #2 arm to complement Holmes and find ways to manufacture runs with speed and execution. Clint Richardson and Cannon Jordan look to serve as table-setters while Ryne Hardwick (right) moves behind the plate as a quality backstop to handle the Tiger pitching staff. Conway opens next Thursday at the IP Classic in a re-match from last year’s State Championship Series when they square off with Boiling Springs. The Tigers would love to find themselves playing for the prize but that will depend largely on Watford’s health and Holmes’ ability to carry the load during the regular season. 60 Times Name Class 60 Time Ryne Hardwick 12 7.44 Colby Holmes 12 7.34 Matt Brown 12 7.69 Michael Frazier 12 7.22 Hayden Watkins 12 7.44 Danny Cole 12 7.66 Rob Brown 12 7.22 Adrien Fugate 12 6.69 Josh Hardwick 11 7.19 Eric Graham 11 7.19 Doug Long 11 7.28 Nicholas Gregory 11 7.06 Cannon Jordan 11 7.31 Ricky Smith 11 8.50 Clay Altman 10 7.87 Clint Richardson 10 6.82 Cody Johnson 10 8.03 Dixon Smith 10 7.82 Gerald Friedman 10 8.51 Jordy Lee 9 7.97 Hunter Gerald 9 7.75 Trey Cooper 9 7.78 Cole Watson 9 8.47 Tyson Larrimore 9 7.35 Marcus Rogers 9 7.75 Dylan Tanner 9 8.13 Jordan Gore 8 8.12 GK Young 8 9.35 Wilson Mishoe 8 8.41 Malik Frazier 8 8.16 Sam Hall 7 8.34 Grant Holmes 7 8.03 Colton Reddish 7 9.50 Matt Rabon 7 8.56 Catchers-Pop Times Name Grade Time Ryne Hardwick 12 1.97-2.10 GK Young 8 2.21-2.38 Top Outfield Arms Rank Name Grade 1 Matt Brown 12 2 Doug Long 11 3 Rob Brown 12 4 Eric Graham 11 5 Grant Holmes 7 Top Infield Arms Rank Name Grade 1 Cannon Jordan 11 2 Marcus Rogers 9 3 Clay Altman 10 4 Josh Hardwick 11 5 Jordan Gore 8 Top Infield Actions Rank Name Grade 1 Jordan Gore 8 2 Josh Hardwick 11 3 Cannon Jordan 11 4 Clay Altman 10 5 Cole Watson 9 Top BP Round/Swing Rank Name Grade 1 Ryne Hardwick 12 2 Cannon Jordan 11 3 Michael Frazier 12 4 Matt Brown 12 5 Clint Richardson 10 6 Doug Long 11 7 GK Young 8 8 Ricky Smith 11 9 Jordan Gore 8 10 Dixon Smith 10 Pitchers DP Note: To view Conway pitching info from February 14 scrimmage/scout day, click here. Top Prospects Rank Name Grade Position 1 Colby Holmes 12 RHP 2 Bobby Watford 12 RHP 3 Jordan Gore 8 SS 4 Ryne Hardwick 12 C/INF 5 Matt Brown 12 OF 6 Clint Richardson 10 OF 7 Cannon Jordan 11 INF 8 Josh Hardwick 11 INF 9 Grant Holmes 7 OF/RHP 10 GK Young 8 C Note: Prospect Rankings are based on the player’s current ability level combined with how he projects at the next level. Additional Info: A local radio station will be broadcasting Conway road games on the internet…For more info, click here.

Spring Preview: Rock Hill Bearcats

By: Kyle Liebler – February 25, 2009 The 2009 Bearcats move into Region IV this year and look forward to a year that will include a lot of traveling. The region includes Rock Hill, South Pointe, Lancaster, Ridgeview, Spring Valley and Blythewood. The Bearcats come into this years season with a chip on their shoulder after finishing in a four-way … The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

Spring Preview: AC Flora Falcons

By: Andy Hallett – February 25, 2009 The 2009 Falcons, led by Head Coach Andy Hallett (249-86), left, look to defend their 2008 Region Title and AAA Upper State Championship with young talent. Graduation took its toll once again in 2008 as we lost 6 starters from our squad that made it to the AAA State Championship game. Our b… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.