THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,619 MLB PLAYERS | 16,397 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,619 MLB PLAYERS | 16,397 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story | 10/12/2019

SC Panthers fit to be tied

Jeff Dahn
Photo: Cooper King (Perfect Game)

JUPITER, Fla. – It’s a phrase that’s been uttered time and time again throughout the history of athletic competition, even if in this age of extra innings, overtimes and sudden-death finishes it’s not quite as relevant as it once might have been.

But it is relevant during pool-play games at Perfect Game tournaments throughout the year, and it goes a little something like this: “Settling for a tie is a little like kissing your sister” which is meant in the context that a tie doesn’t offer any palpable reward – except when it does.

The South Charlotte Panthers 2020 and the Scorpions Honor the Game skirmished to a 0-0 tie in their pool-play finale at the PG WWBA World Championship on Saturday morning in front of dozens of scout-laden golf carts, an outcome that handed the pool championship to the Panthers based on tie-breaking criteria.

South Charlotte outscored its three pool-play opponents by a combined 15-4 compared to Honor the Game’s 13-5 cumulative total. That runs-against differential was good enough for the Panthers to earn the automatic bid into Sunday’s 32-team playoff field; the Scorpions Honor the Game earned one of the nine wild card berths into bracket-play.

“We had scouted (the Scorpions) a couple of times and we knew they were an outstanding ballclub with some real competitive kids and they played the game the right way,” long-time South Charlotte program owner/head coach Don Hutchins told PG postgame on Saturday.

“Most times ties do feel like kissing your sister, but this one really didn’t because … we threw the ball really, really well, they threw the ball really, really well,” he said. “There was some offense but not a lot, and at the end of the day we come out at 0-0 and that moves us into tomorrow and the playoffs, which is what you come down here to do.”

There wasn’t a lot of offense because the pitchers from both sides who took their turns on the mound were nothing short of stellar.

Cooper King got the start for South Charlotte and did absolutely everything that could have been expected of him. A 6-foot-3, 180-pound top-500 2020 right-hander and a North Carolina State commit, King worked five sparkling, shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out six and walking one.

He threw just 73 pitches, watched his fastball reach 90 mph and was especially effective with his 73 mph slider.

“That was a really good team … and they were playing, like, awesome,” King told PG postgame. “They had a lot of energy at 8 a.m. and we came out and played really good defense. We didn’t hit much but we did enough to keep the pressure on and it was just a really good game.

“It felt good out there,” he added. “The slider was working well; I was really able to get into my legs and throw it kind of hard.”

King gave way to Cameron Arnold, a top-500 2020 left-hander and another N.C. State commit – there are seven on the Panthers 2020 roster – and he didn’t miss a beat. Arnold finished it off with two hitless, scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts and one walk.

South Charlotte managed just four hits, two more than the Honor the Game squad. 2022 No. 138-ranked middle-infielder Parker Byrd tripled and Aiden Evans, Jacob Cozart and Carson Kelly each rapped singles.

“They did a great job pitching, both Cooper and Cameron; they dealed the whole game,” Byrd said. “We were just trying to get them some runs.”

Many of the players on the Scorpions Honor the Game also played on the Scorpions 2021 Founders Club team that finished as runner-up at last week’s PG WWBA Underclass World Championship in Fort Myers, so they were used to playing in pressure situations.

2021 right-hander Tj Melani got the start for the Scorps and matched King’s effort for five innings, allowing the four hits while striking out nine and walking one. Brandon Neely, another 2021 righty, threw two perfect innings, striking out two. They did their part but neither side was able to push across a run.

The South Charlotte Panthers 2020 reached this point of the tournament by beating the PG Navy Select, 11-1, in its pool-play opener and the fabled Ohio Warhawks, 4-3, in their second game. Outstanding performances from the mound carried the day earlier in the week just like they did on Saturday.

2020 right-hander Rhett Lowder, a top-500 Wake Forest commit, allowed one earned run on three hits with seven punch-outs in the win over the PG Navy. 2021 righty Jake Hunter, a No. 431-ranked East Carolina recruit, gave up one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts in six innings of work against the Warhawks.

“We lined-up out pitchers at the beginning of pool-play; we knew we needed to throw our best guys,” Hutchins said. “We just lined them up and they came through for us. Rhett Lowder led off the first game for us against Perfect Game Navy and threw a great game.

“He’s probably our number-one arm and they may not have been our number-one competitor, but I’ve been coming down here for 20 years and I’m a big believer in you’ve got to win that first one and go forward.”

While the Scorpions Honor the Game was recognized from the outset as an underclass team, the South Charlotte Panthers 2020 could by all rights be identified as an underclass team, as well.

The starting lineup featured the 2022 Byrd at second base, the 2022 Evans in center, 2022 Matt Heavner at short, 2022 Graham Smiley as the designated hitter, 2021 Carson Kelly at third and 2021 Sam Yelton at catcher.

“We’ve got a very young team this year,” Hutchins noted. “We just have the three teams – that’s all I ever have – and we just made the decision to roll with what we thought was our best guys in the program.”

Byrd agreed: “All these boys are great; it’s the best of the organization,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of fun these past three days and now we’re looking forward to the next day.”

As he gets ready to prepare his players for what lies ahead on Sunday, Hutchins took a moment to look back at Thursday morning when the Panthers beat the Rawlings National Scout Team-Sticks, 4-2, in an exhibition game.

It might not have seemed very important to casual observers at the time, but in reality it was all part of Hutchins’ master plan.

“We kind of have to go into (pool-play) thinking that we’re not going to bring kids down here and then (not) give them a chance to be on the mound,” he said. “Luckily enough we played an exhibition game … and we were able to put three or four of those guys in. All of those guys will be ready (Sunday) with very limited work; it’s a win-win.”

Before the South Charlotte Panthers 2020 even arrived here on Florida’s central Atlantic Coast, Hutchins gathered his young team together and tried to give them an idea of what to expect at the PG WWBA World Championship. His message, it turned out, was a simple one.

“He just told us to go out and try to win,” Byrd said. “He told us these boys are going to throw hard (and) there’s going to be some really good teams out here so just go out and compete and do your best. … Just take a two-strike approach and get your job done.”

The South Charlotte Panthers 2020 may have figuratively kissed their sisters Saturday morning, but they’re in a good place now because of it. They’re playing at least one more meaningful game on Sunday, and that gives everyone a reason to smile.

“I love Perfect Game tournaments,” King said. “This is something you’re working for all throughout the season and now that you’re here it’s pretty cool.”
Give us your feedback
Tournaments | Story | 8/26/2026

Underclass Area Codes: Standout Arms
Joey Cohen
Article Image
Year in and year out when the best young talent from across the country is packed into one national-level event the arms tend to win the week. That feels especially true in today’s amateur game where velocity, pitch design and high-level training in general are being introduced earlier than ever, allowing young pitchers to develop impactful stuff at a faster rate than younger hitters can consistently catch up to it. The Underclass Area Code Games are no exception and this year there was no shortage of arms that made you stop and take notice. Narrowing it down to 10 was difficult, but I focused on the pitchers who either displayed starter-type traits, brought something genuinely different from a delivery standpoint whether it was slot, height, crossfire or deception or simply possessed an outlier element of stuff that separated them from the pack. These are the 10 arms that stood...
Read More
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 9/4/2026

2027 Draft: Way Too Early 1:1 Predictions

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
2027 Top 100 Draft Board  Current Favorite: SS Dylan Seward, Norco HS (Calif.) In our first iteration of the 2027 Draft Board, Norco shortstop Dylan Seward ranks No. 1 overall. The switch-hitter is an ultra-twitchy player with a lot to like on both sides of the ball. He is a supreme athlete that should stick up the middle. Explosiveness is shown in all aspects of his game and gives the profiles big time upside.  In the event that Seward does not go 1:1, each member of our draft team selected a player that they think could wind up in that spot. We are still nearly a full year away from draft day, but here are our “Way Too Early” predictions for the 1st overall pick next July.  Henni’s Pick: C/UTL Gavin Kelly, West Virginia    Gavin Kelly (@WVUBaseball) sends this over the wall in CF for a solo 💣 (100 EV/ 416 ft). Adv. hitter with accurate...
Read More
General | General | 9/3/2026

Class of 2029 Rankings Update

Article Image
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 9/3/2026

Iowa City Scouting Showcase 14U &16U Divisions

Dave Durbala
Article Image
IOWA CITY, IA - Perfect Game Softball Iowa City Scouting Showcase, August 29 - 30, 2026. Fifty-Four teams, competing across three divisions in the 14u - 18u age classifications opened up our Fall schedule playing in a five game showcase style format. For the several college coaches in attendance, they were able to get quality looks at numerous uncommitted 27’ and 28’ graduation year class athletes, as well as having the opportunity to watch some of the quality younger athletes as they put their talent on display. Below are write-ups of some of our top performers over the weekend in the 14 & 16u age divisions. 14U DIVISION Josie Moen (2031 Urbandale, IA) is an athletic OF for TN Mojo 2030 Evans. Working from the left side, Moen was nearly unstoppable while showing defenses her slapping abilities. With great barrel awareness and footwork, Moen utilized the bunt, soft slap...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 9/3/2026

Iowa City Scouting Showcase 18U Division

Ashley Mears
Article Image
Perfect Game Iowa City Scouting Showcase August 29-30 Ashley Mears It was a great weekend to kick off the Fall 2026 tournament campaign in Iowa City. The fields were packed with college coaches from across the Midwest, providing a great opportunity for players to showcase their talents. Both hitters and pitchers put on quite a show, and there were plenty of standout performances to take note of. We are excited to continue following these players and see what the rest of the fall has in store! Gillian Hansen (2028 New Brighton, MN) of the 18u MN Force Impact Standering was an absolute force to be reckoned with at the plate this weekend. Hansen possesses a strong, athletic build that translates into impressive power. Standing parallel to the plate, she utilizes her lower half effectively and does an excellent job of staying through the ball and extending through the zone. Hansen led the...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 9/3/2026

PG Launches Global Country Partner Program

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME LAUNCHES NEW GLOBAL COUNTRY PARTNER PROGRAM TO EXPAND INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PATHWAYS   Sanford, Florida (Thursday, September 3, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the launch of its new Country Partner Program, an initiative designed to expand Perfect Game’s international presence while creating new opportunities for aspiring athletes around the world.  Through the Country Partner Program, select organizations will become the exclusive Perfect Game partner within their respective countries through annual licensing agreements. Each Country Partner will be responsible for managing local...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 9/1/2026

PG Hires Nuovo-Golden in South Carolina

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME SOFTBALL EXPANDS REGIONAL TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS WITH KEY HIRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA   Greenville, South Carolina (Monday, August 31, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced an addition to its Southeast tournament operations team with the hiring of Michelle Nuovo-Golden as Operations Director.   In her role, Nuovo-Golden will oversee regional venue management, team relations and event logistics across South Carolina focusing on expanding Perfect Game’s fastpitch footprint within the core markets which include Columbia, Lexington, Greenville, Anderson and the surrounding regions.   Nuovo-Golden transitions to...
Read More
Draft | Rankings | 8/28/2026

2027 MLB Draft Board

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
The 2026 MLB Draft is official in the books as those players have been signed and have begun their pro career. That means it is time to turn the page and dive into the 2027 class. This class features an intriguing mix of arms both from the prep and college ranks, along with an enticing position player pool. Today, we unveil our first 2027 MLB Draft Board, ranking the Top-100 prospects in the class. There is still plenty of time for new names to emerge and established ones to rise or fall, but here is where things stand as we begin this cycle.  Rk. Name Level Pos. B-T School Hometown State Commitment 1 Dylan Seward H SS S-R Norco Eastvale CA Tennessee 2 Brendan Lawson C SS L-R Florida Toronto ON 3 Dax Whitney C RHP R-R Oregon State Blackfoot ID 4 Gavin Kelly C C/UTL R-R West Virginia Presto PA 5 Tomas Valincius C LHP L-L Mississippi State Lockport IL 6 Malachi Butler H SS L-R...
Read More
Draft | Story | 8/23/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL East

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL East Atlanta Braves  Grade: 55 Risk: High Notable Selections: OF AJ Gracia (1st rd) | OF Carter Beck (PPI) | RHP Kaiden McCarthy (2nd rd) | RHP Jensen Hirschkorn (3rd rd)   OF AJ Gracia (@UVABaseball) is seeing the ball really well & picked up a couple of hits, including a 2B into RCF. Smooth LH stroke & easy impact. Showed + pwr in BP, 46 BB: 36 K. Jr./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/C4rSc0ZNIc — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 30, 2026 Atlanta had $15,870,800 to spend in this year’s draft,...
Read More
Draft | Story | 8/22/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL East

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL East Baltimore Orioles Grade: 50 Risk: High Notable Selections: OF Eric Booth Jr. (1st rd) | OF Ty Head (2nd rd) | OF Kevin Roberts Jr (4th rd)  Eric Booth Jr. (26 MS) goes big fly 💣 that carried out oppo. Explosive athlete w/ huge LH juice & tools. Big time in several facets. #NatElite #Vandy commit. @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/kXl7ZVyD9G — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 12, 2025 Baltimore was about middle of the pack in terms of money available this year, having $13.1m to spend on their class. Booth Jr. is a...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.