Southern College Prep League

[bmtball]

The Southern College Prep League had its opening weekend this past weekend, with local entry, SE Texas Gladiators dropping the Friday game and splitting the Saturday doubleheader with District 5 team from Ruston, LA.  The Gladiators were without four Bridge City Cardinal players (Guidry, Hubbard, Smith, and Pittman) and Kyle Markum and Daniel Sparrow this weekend.  Even with the short staff, the Gladiators were competitive against a team of 20 mostly graduated seniors and 3-4 college players.  Gladiators lost the opening night to Ruston, 9-4, as LSU-Eunice freshman Jared Dye pitched a gem against the younger Gladiators.  Glads won the opening game of the Saturday doubleheader 6-3, then lost the back-end game 12-7 as the short staff and fatigue caught up to the Glads.  For the weekend, Zach Drouillard (LCM) lead the Gladiators with a .625 average (5 for 8, 4 RBI's), and Montana Garcia
(4 for 10, 5 runs scored, 3 RBI) and Colby Jenkins (both of Silsbee) followed behind with a .400 average on the weekend.  Montana Garcia was the defensive star in centerfield, tracking down numerous balls and having 5 assists on the weekend, nailing one player at the plate in Game 1.  Pitching leaders were Brett Brown (Nederland), who started the Saturday game and gave up one earned run, had 3 K's in 4 innings pitched.  Kohl Lasell (Nederland) followed Brett with 3 solid innings pitched, gave up one hit and no runs, with 4 K's in 3 innings pitched, getting the win.  All games were played at LA Tech University field.

The Southern College Prep League is in its inaugural season.  It is comprised of 8 Texas and Louisiana teams.  The format is similar to a college format, where teams play a mid week, 2 game series, then a weekend series comprised of a Friday night game and then a Saturday doubleheader.  The week games are 9 -inning games and the weekend doubleheaders are 7-inning games.  Each team takes BP and infield/outfield prior to each game.  There will be a mid-season All-Star game with a year-end college type playoff.  It is a great format for area high school players to be seen by colleges and also experience a college-type game structure.  The Gladiators next game is this Tuesday and Wednesday at Bullet Baseball.  We will have home games in the future, we will keep everyone updated.  For more information on the league, go to www.scplbaseball.com.

[MrUmp1]

Sounds like a great league. Who is coaching our locals?

[bmtball]

Sam Moore - Coach

Roster
Kyle Markum - HF
Dalton Richardson - WestBrook
Colby Sciarilla - Vidor
Zach Smith - Bridge City
Trent Fontenot - Nederland
Adam Morrow - Kelly
Daniel Sparrow - PNG
Brett Brown - Nederland
Preston Pittman - Bridge City
Hayden Guidry - Bridge City
Kohl Lasell - Nederland
Zach Drouillard - LCM
Mitchell Hubbard- Bridge City
Colby Jenkins - Silsbee
Montana Garcia - Silsbee
Matt Perdue - Jasper
Shea Richards - LCM
Dillon Young - LCM

With the exception of Markum, all 2012/2013 grads.  We are playing against mostly 2010 and 2011 grads.  Might take a few lumps early, but we are competing very well so far.  In the long run, better competition will improve the players. The SCPL schedule is 25 games (1/2 home, 1/2 away).  Plus All-Star game and playoffs.  This team is also playing in the Rice University Tournament, July 4 weekend, plus a Lamar Tourney, and the Texas Showcase League 17U and 18U World Series in July.  Over 40 games for the summer. We have 13 pitchers, plus numerous guest pitchers available, so arms should stay fresh.  Also, league is a BBCOR/wood only league, so players are getting head start on next season, with BBCOR bats.  Good experience for the team.