Arvest Bulldogs prep for tournament at Oklahoma State
Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Arvest Bulldogs are banking on their elder players to come through in the clutch. But it's been the youth that has risen to help Arvest post an 11-4 overall record heading into Monday's doubleheader versus Rogers Heritage at Springdale's Tyson Sports Complex at 5 p.m.
That twinbill is the last Arvest will see of Arkansas competition for a week. The Bulldogs will travel to Stilwater, Okla., where they will compete in a prospect tournament on the Oklahoma State campus June 26-29.
The Bulldogs deploy a young litter of hefty contributors into a mix of proven veterans. So far, a youth movement has taken shape with key cog Zac Gibson leading the way.
Gibson is among the Bulldogs' most consistent at the plate and on the mound. Gibson fanned 13 batters in an 11-2 win on the road over Harrison in Game 2 of a twinbill sweep last Friday. Gibson was 2 for 3 at the plate in a 9-3, Game 1 win over Harrison.
"He's been the biggest surprise and probably the most consistent so far," Arvest skipper Scott Gallagher said. "Right now some of the older, more experienced guys are slumping a little and younger guys like Zac have stepped up and produced. Zac's really done well at the plate and he's going to get time on the varsity next year if he continues to pitch well."
Gallagher also lauded the pitching and bat of Brice Roberts. Brad Hollenbeck and Kellen Summers have also kicked up the intensity.
Levi Schroeder, a seniorto-be, is among those lesser experienced players who have boosted their productivity. Schroeder was key in relief for the varsity Purple Dogs in the spring but now is making an impact at the plate as well.
Schroeder did log the win with a complete-game gem in Game 1 at Harrison, but he also was a boon to his own cause with a double and a single at the plate.
"Levi's pitched well," Gallagher said. "He's one of those guys who is consistent and will throw strikes, get people out and let his defense work for him. He's really stepped it up and become a contributor at the plate, too."
Gallagher's hope is that the veterans will begin to click while the youth movement still has momentum.
"I saw some of the older guys start to break out of their slump against Harrison," Gallagher said. "Hopefully that continues and the younger guys can keep playing well so we can all get on the same page."
Gallagher said five pitchers would likely take the hill Monday to log innings and sharpen their skills heading to Oklahoma State. Mike Sisco, Schroeder, Gibson and Blake Sanford will be among those arms getting work against Heritage.
"This will be our first look at Heritage," Gallagher said. "We know they got a few transfers from Rogers but we really don't know much about them. We just want to get several arms some work to prepare for some pretty stout competition in Oklahoma."
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