2/25/2016 9:03:12 PM
It was a light day of action at LakePoint on Thursday, with only a handful of practices and a pair of games. The first game of the afternoon saw a pair of NAIA schools, Goshen and Tennessee Wesleyan, and then Lovett and Hillgrove high school in the evening.
The standouts from tonight's action include:
Sr. RHP/SS Aaron Schunk, Lovett High School
The 6-foot-2, 180 pound right-hander made the start and fired 3 1/3 scoreless innings for the Lions. He easily lives up to his listed height and weight and has plenty of room to fill out in his frame with additional strength. The University of Georgia commit, started from the first base side of the rubber with a medium leg raise and three-quarter arm slot on the mound. He lands slightly closed on the mound with a heal turn finish during his follow through. He showed a very quick arm with short action and circle in the back and easy downhill action. Schunk worked his fastball between 85-87 mph, with slight cutting action and saw it touch 88 mph in the first inning. He showed the ability to work both sides of the plate and change the eye level of hitters with his 76 mph curveball. His breaking ball offering had 11-5 shape with hard, tight spin and showed depth. He had exceptional confidence in the pitch, frequently opening counts and using it when behind. Schunk additionally showed a fringe changeup in warm-ups, but did not feature it in game.
For video of Schunk, please follow this link.
Jr. RHP Austin Goss, Tennessee Wesleyan College
The tall, 6-foot-8 right-hander took the mound in relief for the Bulldogs and showed a loose arm action and online delivery. Goss worked extremely downhill as his height would hint at, with a flat fastball that worked 87-90 mph on the mound. He failed to show a breaking ball offering, but was aggressive with his fastball, challenging hitters up in the zone.
Jr. RHP Tyler Thorton, Tennessee Wesleyan College
Thorton, like Gross, worked out of the bullpen in something of a Johnny Wholestaff game for the Bulldogs. Thorton showed a thick, strong build on the mound from his 6-foot-4, 280 pound frame. He utilizes a quick delivery from a three-quarter arm slot and short arm action. He has some present arm speed, evident in his fastball that ran between 87-89 mph fastball, but lacked movement. His breaking ball offering was merely of the get-me-over variety, and would need to continue to be developed.
For video of Thorton, please follow this link.
Sr. RHP Reed Bright, Tennessee Wesleyan College
Bright was called on to close the door for the Bulldogs coming in from the pen utilizing a 87-89 mph fastball with good arm-side life. Bright worked from a three-quarter arm slot with good arm speed and a clean arm action. What separated the 6-foot-1, 200 pound righty from his teammates, was his impressive 11-5 shaped curveball. The pitch showed impressive tilt and depth and complimented his fastball. He was very confident in the pitch, throwing it in any count.