Border Battle.  Returning once again to the pristine Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium on the campus of UNC Charlotte, this year’s event brought together close to 130 of the top players from North Carolina and South Carolina for two highly competitive and scout-packed days. The talent did not disappoint.

Tuesday, June 10 featured the full evaluation circuit for position players. South Carolina’s group opened the day with offensive testing—multiple rounds of batting practice—followed by defensive evaluations and athletic testing.  Once SC concluded, the North Carolina group ran through their own athletic testing, defensive showcase, and offensive performance.  Coaches and scouts were treated to extended looks at each player’s skill set in a pro-style format, offering insight into their tools, movement patterns, and overall feel for the game.

Wednesday, June 11 was reserved for gameplay, with each player participating in one simulated game contest.  Over the course of the day, North Carolina and South Carolina squared off in four live games, allowing pitchers to throw against live hitters and players to compete in a true game setting.  As expected, the top talent from both states put on a show in front of a strong contingent of college coaches and professional scouts.

We now begin the process of breaking down all the action from the event. From advanced metrics and scouting notes to standout performers and analytical takeaways, we’ll unpack everything that happened over the course of the two-day Border Battle.

👉 To view the full roster and statistical breakdown, CLICK HERE.

Austin Baxter 2B / 3B / Hopewell, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 59 / POS: 5 Average build at 5-foot-8, 154 pounds. Left handed hitter. Works with intent. Strong hands. Max exit of 91.1mph. Swing projects and will continue to lead his prospect as he adds maturity. Active feet in the middle of the field. Stable hands. Short, athletic release. 84 across the diamond.

Corbin Kendrick OF / RHP / Junius H Rose, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 22 / POS: 5 Lean, athletic build. Tapered waist. Right handed hitter works direct.  Solid hand strength and feel for the barrel. Max exit of 94.1mph with an average exit of 87.5.

Micah Larson OF / SS / Panther Creek, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 75 / POS: 13 Lean, 6-foot-1, 165 pounds. Frame will continue to add strength. Positioned to make gains as he continues to get stronger. Good rhythm. Simple approach, working for extension with some uphill leverage through contact. 92mph max exit velocity. Ran 7.11 with a 3.95 thirty yard split.

Lincoln Lawson C / OF / Randleman, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 4 Lincoln Lawson, C, Randleman HS Defined strength present at 5-foot-10, 162 pounds. Good athlete, ran a 7.00 sixty.  Produced an exit velocity of 94.1mph. Swing has quickness and barrel feel. Positioned to continue to see high level metrics as he matures and continues to add strength.  Behind the dish, flashed an advanced arm tool with 80mph throw from the crouch and top pop time of 1.93.

Thomas Piscorik SS / RHP / Wakefield High, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 7 High level defender with excellent actions and movement. Stands 6-foot-1, 170 pounds in a frame that is still maturing. Ran 7.15 with a 4.05 thirty yard split. Right handed hitter has long arms and works for extension.  Consistently on the barrel. Max exit peaked at 95.3mph.

Carson Rush C / 2B / South Johnston, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 61 / POS: 7 5-foot-8, 166 pounds. Continues to impress in workout and game situations.  High level of feel for the game. 1.99 pop time with a 75mph positional velocity out of the crouch in the workout. Translated the workout actions into game play.  Left handed hitter has whip with a direct, gap-to-gap approach. Potential utility player with solid actions on the infield.

Jake Schoch 2B / RHP / Millbrook, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 51 / POS: 4 Still young and maturing.  Setup for success in the box with excellent rhythm and bat to barrel feel.  Stands 5-foot-9, 172 pounds. Left handed hitter. Average bat speed now but does a good job getting on plane and handling velocity.   Solid actions on the infield.

Tyler Sharp 1B / 3B / Millbrook, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 43 / POS: 3 Strong. Plays with physicality.  Stands 5-foot-9, 192 pounds. Right handed hitter homered to left in game play.  Max exit velocity peaked at 97.4mph in BP.  Strong hands. Slight load down as the bat works from a vertical position. Strength and solid bat speed present at contact.

James Stalls C / 2B / Faith Christian Academy, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 72 / POS: 8 Lean 6-foot-1, 153 pounds. Has added strength and athleticism from our last sighting in the fall of 2024. Gains have translated into his game play and tools. Max exit velocity up to 88.4mph. Pop time peaked at 2.02, showing solid feel for 2B during the workout throws.

Zach Taylor SS / OF / James Hunt High, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 44 / POS: 10 Youthful 6-foot-1, 191 pounds. Strong with more maturation still ahead. Solid metrics across the board, checking a lot of boxes with a 7.21 sixty, 4.05 thirty, 79mph arm across the infield, and max exit velocity of 94.8mph. Right handed hitter works from a tall base with whip through a slight uphill leverage at contact.

Jack Vannoy OF / RHP / Needham Broughton, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 86 / POS: 18 Lean and youthful at 5-foot-11, 152 pounds. Wiry strong with room to pack on strength in the coming years. Max exit velocity at 91.2mph. Right handed hitter glides to the front side, working flat through the zone. Athletic mover in the outfield with an easy transition and release, showing accuracy on his positional throws.

Devan Welch 2B / SS / Heritage, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 60 / POS: 6 5-foot-11, 171 pounds. Right handed hitter works from a stable base with a simple load and launch. Works for extension. Max exit velocity of 90.2mph. Ran a 4.11 thirty yard split.

RECENT NC NEWS