2/24/2016 9:24:36 PM
In a rainy and windy night at LakePoint, a litter of high school teams filled the park. Georgia Highlands also took part in a double header against Southern Union University.
The standouts from tonight's action included:
Sr. 3B/RHP Josh Lowe, Pope High School
It's hard to not start with the talented Lowe, who entered the high school season as PG's 4th ranked high school player with lofty expectations at the plate and on the mound. The Florida State commit lauded on a national scale for his 95 mph fastball as well as hitting ability, did not disappoint. Lowe showed a very simple approach, geared towards up the middle and opposite field contact. His easily plus bat speed and balance through his swing combined with his present feel for barrel timing allow him to square balls up with ease and drive them. In Wednesday's action, Lowe casaually delivered a 3/3 day at the plate with a walk, pair of home runs and a double. The latter of the two homers and the double were each of the opposite field variety, with the first home run clearing the batter's eye with ease.
For additional video of Lowe, please follow this link.
Sr. LHP Cameron Allison, Pope HS
The Middle Tennessee State commit took the mound to start for Pope showing a cross-fire oriented delivery from a three quarter arm slot. The 6-foot-4, 185 pound Allison is incredibly projectable on the mound with lots of room to fill out in his frame. He ran his fastball up to 88 mph in the first inning before settling in at 84-86 mph thereafter with arm-side life. He struggled replicating his release point on the mound often falling behind hitters, but Allison battled on the mound. Allison showed a good bit of confidence in his 10-4 shaped curveball that showed good bite and flashed two-plane break. The pitched worked its best when he stayed on top of it and kept it low in the zone, changing the eye level of hitters.
For video of Allison, please follow this link.
So. 1B/LHP Daniel Gooden, Georgia Highlands
The Sophomore Gooden delivered a 376 foot grand slam in the first game of Highlands' double header against Southern Union that left the bat at 101 mph per TrackMan. The Georgia Tech transfer continues his hot streak at the plate after a two-homer performance a week ago. Gooden at times has trouble recognizing tough spin, but when he times his barrel release allows his plus bat speed and strength to drive the ball in the air.
Sr. RHP Zach Graveno, Lambert HS
The senior right-hander earned the start for Lambert against Cartersville on Wednesday night and impressed. He generated good downhill action on the mound with a deceptive delivery that incorporated a slight crouch in his top half. Graveano relied on a three-pitch mix that primarily featured his 85-87 mph fastball that touched 89 mph in the first inning. It showed good life and he mixed it well with his curveball and changeup. His curveball showed good, 11-5 shape with depth that was up to 76 mph. Graveno worked his changeup at 79 mph and showed some fade while doing well to replicate his arm speed.
For video of Graveno, please follow
this link.