North Raleigh Christian Academy – 8                    Charlotte Christian – 15

North Raleigh Christian travelled to Charlotte on Tuesday to take on the No. 1 seed and the perennial favorite in the NCISAA 4A.  The Knights from Raleigh came in with confidence and a good plan that they executed early in the game.  

The top of the 1^st saw NRCA get their top 4 hitters in the order on base with two singles and two walks.  Charlotte Christian made a quick move to their bullpen as starter Everette Harris was struggling to find the plate consistently enough for the home plate umpire. In total the NRCA would score 3 in their first at-bat. 

NRCA starter Chase Arrington (RHP, 2021) attacked the zone early with his fastball and showed command for a big, rolling breaking ball, working a fairly efficient 1^st inning with the lead.

NRCA would plate 1 more in their half of the second, keyed by an infield error.  In the bottom half, the game would get completely side tracked, as Charlotte Christians offense did a very good job of being patient.  A leadoff walk was followed by a double from Hayden Brandon (INF, 2021). 

CLICK HERE for the full game recap and player stats

 

Scout Blog

Everette Harris, RHP, Charlotte Christian, 2022
NC State commit.  Lanky and lean build with plenty of room to add strength.  Leg kick works the foot outside the knee, swinging his body over the rubber and changing the line at times.  Works to stay level and on-line.  Medium arm action to a high-3/4 slot.  Rotational through the finish with average arm speed, falling toward 1B on his finish.  Erratic with the fastball, most misses to the arm side.  Fastball ranged 81-84 (1890 – 2210 rpm).  Slider at 72 worked early with sweeping action.

Wesley Jones, RHP, Charlotte Christian, 2023
Some physicality over the rubber.  Uphill with his shoulders as he closes his line and works to a foot-strike that is across his line.  Over-the-top slot creates some hitter discomfort.  Better than average arm speed.  Fastball peaked at 87 early, settling at 82-84 (2150 – 2210rpm).  Occasional cut to the fastball to the glove side.  Breaking ball at 74 with rolling 11/5 tilt (2220rpm)

Hayden Brandon 2B, Charlotte Christian, 2021
Charlotte commit.  Right handed hitter has bat speed with a direct path, showing strength in his hands and driving the ball of his barrel.  Simple and compact, should be able to repeat with some ease.   Good athlete that runs well, showing better high end speed as he gets rolling.

Chase Arrington, RHP, North Raleigh Christian Acad, 2023
5-foot-8, 160 pound righty.  Some pelvic tilt in the leg lift, setting his shoulders with some uphill leverage.  Athletic arm works to an over-the-top slot.  Solid arm speed.   Adjusted the delivery to create some hitter discomfort, eliminating the rocker at times, shortening the leg lift, or pausing at the top of the kick.  Fastball at 82-84 (1880 – 2010rpm).  Located down in the zone.  Big, rolling breaking ball, working for 12/6 tilt at 64.  Breaking ball struggled to find the zone with the size it showed, missing elevated throughout the night.

Cole Harding, RHP, North Raleigh Christian Acad, 2021
Western Carolina commit.  Athletic, lean frame at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds.  Coils through balance, closing his line.  Stays level, uncoiling to an on-line and square foot-strike.  Short arm action, easily loading the scapular. High-3/4 slot, releasing with a rotational finish.  Better than average arm speed.  Fastball at 83-87 spinning up to 2510 rpm.  Erratic with a lot of arm side misses.