We're just under 3 weeks away from opening day where the Flames will head down to Mississippi for a mid major showdown with Southern Miss.  The Flames will look to follow in the steps of Football and win what would be a huge early series.  Scrimmages got underway this past weekend with a couple of challenging weather days and 1 very nice day Saturday. 

Friday 

Horn and Tepper (Hail State Transfer) started for each side respectively and went 3 Innings each with 4 punch outs a piece as well.  Horn allowed no hits and Tepper would allow 2 hits including a long home run to Clemson transfer Troyer.  Both Horn and Tepper were in the low to mid 90's in blustery conditions.  Freshman John Simmons paced the offensive attack as he reached base in all 4 plate appearances.  Sophomore Nathan Keeter also reached base twice and Juco transfer Dylan Edmands added a double.  Edmands is also in the 2B mix and could be the backup 3rd base mix and may also receive some DH at bats. 

Saturday 

Sophomore Nick Moran pitched 3 solid innings with 3 strikeouts.  He did allow a leadoff homerun to Simmons but was able to settle in after.  That's a big time first 2 day showing for Simmons and a left on left homer against Moran is pretty impressive as well.  The Flames also saw good work from bullpen stalwarts Cole Garrett and David Erickson who combined for 2 scoreless innings each and 2 strikeouts.  It's good to see David Erickson getting a bit of his mojo back as he struggled to finish 22 season and struggled in the fall after being one of the Flames most lost reliable options out of the pen the prior couple years.  Next up, local product Ryan Butler pitched 3 scoreless innings and allowed just 1 hit and no runs.  Butler has continued after a strong summer ball and solid fall showing.  He looks primed to play a big role in the bullpen for the Flames.  Offensively, Freshman Outfielder Kane Kepley had 2 singles and a stolen base and Freshman Catcher Brayden Horton had a double and another loud F7.  Horton has also played a little bit of LF this Fall and Spring.  RS Senior Jaylen Guy added a double, walk and had 2 stolen bags.  Edmands added a single and a walk and Winthrop 1B transfer Andrew Jenner was on base twice and also recorded 2 loud outs.  Troyer had loud contact all day as well but wasn't able to scratch a hit.  

Sunday

Winthrop transfer Garret Gainey pitched 3 innings and had 5's as did RH Sophomore Cole Hurtzler.  Freshman Todd Hudson punched out 3 hitters in 2 innings of work as well.  Lazzaro had a triple and Castillo, Hudson and Mcneal all doubled while veteran Gray Betts added 2 walks.  

Defense

No surprise that Jaylen Guy flashed all weekend and made a couple of SC Top 10 plays.  Freshman Kane Kepley also made a top 10 worth play and Andrew Jenner flashed defensively at 1B.  

The Flames were back at it Tuesday at 4 PM before 3 more scrimmages this weekend at 2:30 Friday and 1 Saturday and Sunday respectively. 



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