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Tournaments  | Story | 6/19/2021

NEB Comes Back For More at 18u BCS

Sam Warren
Photo: Hunter Carns (Perfect Game)
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As BCS season gets underway on Florida’s Gulf Coast, 24 teams from across the country began to vie for the coveted 18u BCS National Championship on Friday morning. While this is many squads’ first major tournament together, one team is not only experienced, but has championship history in the BCS.
 
Northeast Baseball National enters this year’s 18u BCS National Championship confident. Not only did they make it to the championship game of last weekend’s Perfect Game 18u National Elite Championship in Hoover, Ala., but they enter the BCS as reigning champions, winning the 18u division in 2020. While many of the players on the championship roster were 2020 graduates and are off in college ball, NEB still retains a few experienced players from last year’s squad. Dakota Stone, one of the players who carries over from last year’s roster, says this year’s team might be even better.
 
“We’ve got a lot of dudes,” Stone said. “We’ve got a lot of hard workers. This team definitely has a lot more power than last year’s team, and we’ve got some big bats that can mash.”
 
Among those “dudes” include Stone himself, the 108th-ranked player in the class of 2022 and a Jacksonville commit, as well as 2021 top-500 players Joey Spence (Notre Dame commit), Logan Maxwell (TCU commit), Jack Cebert (South Florida commit), Orlando Pena (Coastal Carolina commit) and Ty Batusich (Western Kentucky commit). Hunter Carns, the 101st-ranked player in the 2024 class, also joins his older counterparts on the BCS roster. As they entered the tournament, Stone had some words of advice as an experienced champion for the newcomers.
 
“We just have to battle every inning,” Stone said. “It’s hard to stay in the game for these six games and into the semifinals and championship. If we stay locked in, we have a good shot.”
 
To begin their quest to repeat as champions, NEB put on a good showing. Going 2-0 in their first day of pool play, the Hudson, Mass.-based team beat the South Florida Braves, 16-5, in their first game and Gametime Prospects 18u Black, 9-6, in their second. After a successful day on the field, head coach Steven Barnes said his players were completing the tasks at hand.
 
“Our guys are doing what they are supposed to do,” Barnes said. “They are doing what they are capable of. It’s just a matter of consistency and everyone doing their job.”
 
NEB came out hot to start their weekend. After drawing a leadoff walk, Maxwell advanced to third base on a balk and passed ball. Brennan Baker then walked as well, setting up Elijah Dukes with runners on the corners. Dukes rose to the occasion, pulling an RBI single to right field, plating Maxwell and the game’s first run. An errant throw then allowed Baker to score and set up Batusich to drive home Santiago Barcelo with an RBI double. Batusich finished off the scoring in the first, scampering home on a wild pitch and giving NEB a 4-0 lead to begin the game.
 
NEB kept their foot on the gas in the second. After Austin Turja lined a single to center, Maxwell clobbered a homer to deep right-center, extending the NEB lead to six. 
 
Adding one run in the third on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, NEB stayed on the attack in the fourth as Maxwell drove an RBI triple to left field, scoring Turja, who led off with another hit by pitch. Baker returned the favor for Maxwell, plating him with an RBI triple of his own. Dukes then kept the line moving, shooting an RBI double to center to score Baker. After Batusich walked, Dannon Smith drove home Baker with an RBI single. The NEB onslaught continued as Batusich scored on a wild pitch, then Stone plated Smith giving the squad six runs in the inning. By the time the fourth had ended, NEB had mounted a 13-0 lead. Barnes said he was proud of the way his bats performed against the Braves.
 
“We had some timely hitting,” Barnes said. “Some of our guys had huge days at the plate. We just played hard and hit the ball well.”
 
However, NEB pitching struggled to find the zone in the bottom of the inning, allowing the Braves to stage a four-run comeback. NEB quickly answered back in the fifth, as Maxwell lined a leadoff single and Carns poked an RBI double to deep left, scoring Maxwell. After a Dukes single loaded the bases, Barcelo finished the NEB offensive output, slapping a two-RBI single to center. While the Braves got back one run in the inning, Dukes struck out two batters in the fifth to close out the game, finishing off a 16-5 NEB win.
 
Despite their dominant performance in their first game, NEB ran into some struggles in their second against Gametime Prospects 18u Black. After both offenses stayed silent through the third, the Gametime offense exploded in the top of the fourth, posting six runs in the inning. While Gametime’s rally was a punch in the mouth, Barnes never lost confidence in his squad.
 
“We kind of expected a comeback,” Barnes said. “We were barrelling balls the first three innings. They were just going right at them. We knew we were bound to find holes and have a big inning.”
 
The crooked number may have been the inspiration the NEB offense needed, however, as they came alive in the bottom of the inning. Maxwell kicked it off with a leadoff single, and after stealing second, he scored on a misplayed Baker ground ball to third. Then, after Dukes blooped a single over third, Barcelo poked an RBI single into shallow left to score Baker. On the next pitch, Batusich shot an RBI double to deep center, putting him and Barcelo in scoring position. Smith then took advantage, lining a two-RBI double to left. Finally, Owen Boyce strung together another RBI double to complete the rally, tying the game at six and evening the game back up. Stone believes that the early deficit was what his team needed to knock off their complacency at the plate.
 
“We got down 6-0, and we all knew that we had to start picking up things,” Stone said. “Logan Maxwell started with a barrel, and we just kept going on from there.”
 
While both sides quieted in the fifth, the NEB bats clutched up in the sixth. Dukes reached on an error to lead off the inning and was later moved over on a Batusich single to center. After the duo completed a double steal, Smith delivered when it mattered most, smacking a single that scored Dukes, Batusich and himself after some poor Gametime defense. With a newfound three-run lead, Baker struck out two in the seventh and closed down a 9-6 win for NEB. As their offense clicked into gear, Stone says that the team developed a next-man-up mentality.
 
“We just wanted to keep passing the bat and keep the thing going,” Stone said. “We just rallied and rallied and believed in each other. We just kept picking, getting on base no matter what, and that led us to get that win.”
 
As the team’s BCS play furthers down the line, Barnes knows that NEB will have a target on their back for their current and past success. Barnes believes that his team’s name is circled on many schedules, but he knows that that won’t phase his roster or their championship hopes.
 
“Everybody is after us,” Barnes said. “We like that, and we’re looking forward to that. We know we’re the team to beat here and that whoever wants the championship has to come through us.”
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Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Midwest Invitational Scout Notes
Tyler Kotila
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Creighton Tuzzio (2024, Clarinda, Iowa) took the ball in the semi-final game and was able to get on the bump and carve for his team. Tuzzio is a taller 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame with plenty to like in the operation. The right-handed pitcher has a slower and more controlled operation as he works through the delivery. He lifts the leg up around the belt and then works through a three-quarters release with good whip through it. The fastball worked up to 86 mph on the fastball and held in the low- to mid-80s. He creates some angle on it with the taller & projectable frame. It runs arm-side and can be a problem for right-handed hitters. He also showed a low-70s curveball with a bigger 11/5 tilt to it and good depth to miss some bats. The Iowa Western commit threw 5.0 innings, allowing just 1 run, with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts to his credit.   There’s no surprise here, but...
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Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

WWBA World Championship Pool Preview

Perfect Game Staff
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Pool A Team Top Pos. Player RK Class Top Pitcher RK Class Location Boston Red Sox Scout Connor Lane 500 2024 Tague Davis 59 2024 Boston, MA Cangelosi Sparks Tyler Bell  122 2024 Brady Chambers 500 2024 Lockport, IL Dirtbags National 2024 Dalton Wentz 74 2024 Riley Leatherman 251 2024 Sedalia, NC Florida Burn Colton Schwarz 214 2025 Presley Woodson 500 2025 Sarasota, FL Projected Pool Winner: Dirtbags National 2024 With one of the deepest and most physical lineups in the nation, the Dirtbags National 2024 club have been putting up runs in bunches. No hitter is hotter than Austin Irby, as the ECU commit is While sluggers Dalton Wentz, Will Craddock and Palmer Hornick won’t be in attendance, Lee Sowers, Will Brooks, Jon Young Jr. and spark plug Carter Richardson lead an offense that averages over 7 runs per game. They can cover ground on...
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Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Coastal Soph. Fall Invite Scout Notes

Todd Coffey
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Michael Flores (2026, NC) looking great through 4 innings pitched with 11 k’s. Great command and completely missing barrels. #2023WWBACoastalSophmoreFallInvatational pic.twitter.com/Oqd3WD0E05 — PG Coastal Scouting (@PG_Coastal) September 24, 2023 Michael Flores (2026, Mooresville, NC) put on an electric performance to watch for the SBA Futures 2026 in their matchup versus the Carolina Reds. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound, RHP did his job for his team today to keep them in the game. Flores throws with a high leg lift and creates some good motions towards the plate with his whippy action. Flores has a great feel for the zone and pounded strikes at a 66% rate. Flores generated swing and miss after swing and miss and it was clear he was in control out there on the mound. He sat in the 70-mph range to 79-mph range with his fastball with the ability to pinpoint it wherever he pleased....
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Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Fall Frenzy Scout Notes

Jason Phillips
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James Sherry (’26, Aiken, S.C.)- the 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed pitcher tossed a complete game for Xtreme Xposure Baseball-Bennett in an 8-1 win over 2 Way Athletics 16U. A primary outfielder, Sherry finished with 15 strikeouts and just one walk while controlling the zone at a 65% strike rate. Appearing in only his second PG tournament, Sherry turned in another great pitching performance after being selected to the All-Tournament Team at the 2023 16U PG Southeast Labor Day Classic. Aidan Petrocco (‘24 GA)- singles here into LF to load the bases for @643DPAthletics Primary MIF 2-for-4 w/ run scored on the day. #FallFrenzy @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/Ly7zEuRwyg — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) September 24, 2023 Aidan Petrocco (’24, Johns Creek, Ga.)- the 5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitter for 643 DP Cougars 18U led the 18U Southeast Fall Frenzy...
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Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3-5

Kyler Peterson
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A high speed look at this 2B from Keon Johnson... #WWBAWorlds @PG_Georgia https://t.co/Ejl8GirIgk pic.twitter.com/ate7ro35cp — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 24, 2023 Keon Johnson (2026, Macon, Ga.) started off the morning loud, going down to get a pitch down and smoking a double that split the opposite field gap at a 92 mph exit velocity. The shortstop has one of the best hit tools in the class and has tremendous feel for the barrel. The swing is quiet and simple, staying loose through the zone. The ball jumps and the parts really work. At short, Johnson looked silky with good actions, range, and plenty of arm strength across. The game comes easy for the Georgia native, and still just 15, the all-around game is very well-refined for the age.  Jaxson Wood (2026, Hoover, Ala.) finished batting .500 over the tournament, including three extra-base hits. The primary...
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Tournaments | Story | 9/25/2023

Deep South Fall Invitational Scout Notes

Alex Dorso
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Patrick Kovacs (2026 Knoxville TN) was dominant in his outing in game two of pool play for Exposure National. The southpaw tossed three scoreless innings allowing two hits while striking out eight. He showed plus command of the fastball dotting it to both sides of the plate while working off the corners at times. Patrick sat 75-78 topping at 79 multiple times throughout. He mixed in a tight breaking ball with two plane movement that he had no problem mixing in any count keeping the opposing hitters off balanced in the box. Coming from a mid 3/4s slot there was some deception within the operation making it tough to pick the fastball up out of the hand. The frame has plenty of athleticism within with plenty of more room for additional strength as he continues to mature. Kovacs should be a fun follow as he continues to progress through high school. Ryan Riojas (‘26 TN) drives this...
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Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3

Troy Sutherland
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Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Extended look at Gunnar Garrison... 7 IP, 1 H, OER, 13 K, 1 BB (70% K) #WWBAWorlds @PG_FourCorners https://t.co/V89oASpD8r pic.twitter.com/tsP1mWCoNz — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 21, 2023 Colorado right-hander Gunnar Garrison (2026, Eaton, Colo.) was magnificent in his start for Slammers Anderson 2026’s. The big and physical 6-foot-4, 210-pound arm threw a complete game, seven inning, one-hit shutout, striking out 13 and walking one. The fastball had downhill life to it, sitting in the 85-88 range for the entirety of the game. Garrison held the velocity and reached back for his fastest bullet of the game, at 89, in the seventh inning. Finishing the outing with 70% strikes, he filled up the zone and went right at hitters. He also induced swing-and-miss on a curveball, featuring late...
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Tournaments | Story | 9/22/2023

Northeast Qualifier Scout Notes

John McAdams
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Jack Harley (2024, Mendham, NJ) put together a dominant performance at the plate in the WWBA NEQ, leading his team to a coveted Jupiter bid while also earning MVP-honors. The 6-foot-1 left-handed hitter showcased his advanced bat-to-ball skills on several occasions. He batted .643 with two doubles, a home run and six stolen bases. Harley utilizes a repeatable, synced-up stroke with clean separation into launch. He has a great feel for the barrel and creates good strength at impact to all parts of the diamond. The future Hokie recorded a hit in all six of his games and proved to be a reliable bat at the top-of-the-order for Clubhouse 2024 EvoShield. Harley’s build offers a good balance of strength and athleticism, making him a well-rounded prospect with intriguing upside moving forward.  .#VandyBoys commit Aiden O’Connell (‘24, NH) is back on the bump in the #NEQ...
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Tournaments | Story | 9/23/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Vincent Cervino
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Nathan Caldwell (2026, Columbia, S.C.) looked the part in the batter’s box as the Team Elite three-hole hitter had one of the hardest hit balls of the day. There’s really impressive bat speed and the ability to create violence and rotational acceleration through contact. He missiled a single during the game and there looks like there’s going to be pretty significant impact potential long term. He’s a strong kid with good indicators and offensive tools to like. Drew Borkowski (2026, Huntley, Ill.) showed plenty to like in the arm as he got the start in game one on the day for GRB. At 6-foot-1, 170-pounds he’s got a lanky frame with long limbs and plenty of room for physical projection. It’s a quick arm with solid arm speed throughout and he opened up sitting 85-87 mph with the fastball. The fastball showed good sinking life and he used it to get a lot...
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College | Story | 9/22/2023

Cape Cod Top 2025 Prospect List

Vincent Cervino
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Earlier this week we debuted our Cape Cod Top 100 Prospect List and mixed amongst the 100 names were some 2025 graduates who will be eligible for the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft. Below, each of the 50 names are eligible in 2025 and those listed with an "^" are continuing their careers at a new school this fall.  Name Pos. Team School Hometown State Adonys Guzman^ C Bourne Arizona Valley Cottage NY Aidan Jimenez RHP Chatham Oregon State Elk Grove CA Anthony Martinez 1B YD UC Irvine Fairfield CA Ben Jacobs LHP Bourne UCLA Huntington Beach CA Bradley Hodges LHP Hyannis Virginia Fleming Island FL Brady Neal C YD LSU Tallahassee FL Brody Donay^ C/1B Hyannis Florida Lakeland FL Caden Bodine C Bourne Coastal Carolina Haddon Heights NJ Cam Leiter^ RHP Orleans Florida State Island Heights FL Cannon Peebles^ C Cotuit Tennessee Mechanicsville VA Drew Faurot^ SS Orleans Florida State Tallahassee FL...
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