Photo courtesy of Samantha Breeding
Five Bryant baseball players accepted an invitation to play in the 11th annual XtraInnings Summer Classic in Jonesboro July 12-13. The Classic is designed to provide a showcase for the top underclassmen in Arkansas. Hornets’ juniors Trey Breeding, Blake Patterson, Drew Tipton, Brandan Warner and sophomores Evan Lee and Zach Jackson, along with the other players, were nominated by their respective high school coach. They were then selected to participate by a committee of high school coaches representing various conferences.
Players were sorted by primary position then selected by draft. All coaches drafted the four teams as a group then drew the teams out of hat to determine which team the coaches would coach.
Bryant head coach Kirk Bock helped coach the Mudcats, which included Breeding. Jackson was placed on the Patriots while Warner, Patterson and Tipton played on the Lumber Kings team. Lee was placed on the Renegades team but was unable to play due to injury.
The teams played a series of games against each other over the two days.
Last year’s event was attended by over 40 college coaches and pro scouts including Major League Scouting Bureau and coaches from Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
A few Xi Alum:
2014 draft:
Caleb Adams-Xi 2010-Texas High
Bradley Wallace-Xi 2009 Woodlawn, ASU
Jalen Beeks-Xi 2010 Prairie Grove, Crowder, U of A
Mark Reyes-Xi 2010 Jessieville, U of A, Crowder
Eric White-Xi 2013 Parkers Chapel
Blake Wiggins-Xi 2013 Pulaski Academy
Tyler Spoon-Xi 2010 Van Buren, U of A
David Ward-Xi 2009 LR Christian, OBU
Delta Cleary-Xi 2006 Jonesboro, LSU Eunice, Colorado Rockies-recently moved to AAA
D’vone McClure-Xi 2010-11 Jacksonville-Cleveland
Jacob Lee-Xi 2007 Jonesboro, ASU Cleveland
Sam Bates-Xi 2007 Cabot, Crowder, U of A, KC Royals
Barrett Astin-Xi 2008-09 Forrest City, U of A, Brewers
