COVINGTON, LA  ̶  Tuesday March 20^th, the Prep Baseball Report scouting staff traveled to Covington high school, as the Lions faced off against Mississippi State recruit, 2018 OF Basiel Williams and the Ponchatula Green Wave.

Ponchatula would claim a 2-1 victory, as both starting pitchers would be dominate in complete game performances. The Green Wave would score their only two runs in the top of the 4^th, as Logan LaCroix doubled to lead off the inning, and 2021 OF/RHP Collin Husser (Ponchatula HS, LA) would single to left field to drive in LaCroix. Husser would score later in the inning on an error, which would be all the Green Wave offense would get on the night.

2018 RHP Zach Smith (Covington HS, LA) would pick up the tough loss for the Lions, as the 6-foot, 153-pound right-hander would give up two runs, on six hits, in seven innings of work, striking out six and walking none. Showing a loose arm action into low-3/4 release with quick arm speed, Smith attacked the strike zone all night, and was able to land all three pitches for strikes. He pitched 82-84 mph, and touched 86 mph with his fastball, which showed life to the arm side with sink, and showed feel to pitch to both sides of the plate with it. Breaking ball showed sweeping action with good spin and solid depth at 73-76 mph. Showed fastball arm speed on his changeup, occasional late life, and depth on fading action at 76-79 mph.

2020 RHP Collin Babin (Ponchatula HS, LA) matched Smith pitch-for-pitch all night, and eventually claimed the complete game victory. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander allowed only one run on six hits in seven innings of work, striking out seven, while walking three. Showing a long arm action into over-the-top release with solid arm speed, Babin attacked hitters with his fastball, showing downhill angle, and carry through the zone. Sitting 80-82 mph, he was able to consistently miss bats with the fastball, and spun a solid breaking ball with 12/6 shape, and solid depth at 65-68 mph.

Mississippi State recruit, 2018 OF Basiel Williams (Ponchatula HS, LA) finished the day 1-for-2 with a stolen base. Long, lean 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame with wiry, athletic build, and plenty of room to add strength. The switch-hitting outfielder has clear athleticism, and is a fluid, easy runner with long strides. Hitting left-handed in both at-bats, he hits from balanced, athletic setup with simple load and short stride. Showed quality path with present bat speed, and his long limbs create quality leverage, and wiry strength that flash power when getting extension. Gave home-to-1^st times of 4.32-seconds and 4.36-seconds, but both were on turns. Showed solid arm strength with carry on throws during pregame.

2021 OF/RHP Collin Husser (Ponchatula HS, LA) finished the day 2-for-3 with an RBI, run scored, and showed off big arm strength, gunning down a runner at home plate to pick up an outfield assist. Long 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame with lean, athletic build, wiry strength and plenty of room to add size. Right-handed hitter that stands balanced with simple load and short stride. Shows present bat speed with strength at contact. Long levers create some length to swing, but potential power when arms get extended at contact.

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