HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Bentley, Barnett, Ball Lead West To All-Star Win

BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Jordan Barnett was in the groove.

The Richlands graduate had batters chasing his slider, reaching for his fastball and even slinging their bats in frustration.

The performance of Barnett was a major reason why the West held off by the East by a 7-6 margin in Thursday’s VHSCA All-Star baseball game at Christopher Newport University.

“My coaches told me Wednesday that I was going to have the chance to finish out the game,” Barnett said. “I’m used to being a starter, but this role was fine with me.”

Barnett knows something about finishing. He earned first-team All-Southwest Virginia honors this past season as he posted an 11-1 record with three saves and an earned run average of 0.80.

After entering Thursday’s game in the seventh inning, Barnett struck out six while allowing three hits and one run. The right-hander also worked fast in the afternoon heat and hit the corners of the plate.

“I had good command of my pitches,” Barnett said. “I’m sure the East had some Division I prospects, so I just tried to throw strikes and keep the hitters off-balance.
“Over the past summer, I’ve developed two arm slots and I work with that every chance I get.”

Meanwhile, Southwest Virginia Player of the Year Cody Bentley saw plenty of work. The ace pitcher from Group A state champion J.J. Kelly started at second base and served as the leadoff batter for the West.

“I was willing to play wherever they wanted,” Bentley said. “The pitching was a big jump from what I’m used to, but I saw the ball pretty good and just tried to make every at-bat count.”

After grounding to third base against East MVP Ben Tomchick of Princess Anne, Bentley delivered a run-scoring single against tall left-hander Will Lamb of York.

“Both of those guys were throwing in the upper 80’s,” said Bentley, who went 1-for-4 on the day. “I got a fastball on the outside corner, and I was able to poke it to the opposite field. Getting a hit off a pitcher like [Lamb] gives me a lot of confidence.”

Bentley, who was recruited by schools such as Liberty, will play college baseball at East Tennessee State.

Multi-sport star Logan Ball of Honaker earned his trip to the coast after Hidden Valley pitcher Mikey O’Brien opted to sign a contract with the New York Yankees.

“I just found out last week that I was going to play in this game,” Ball said. “I hadn’t even picked up a baseball since our last [high school] game in early-June.”

Ball, a first-team All-Southwest Virginia selection, hit .521 with two home runs and 24 RBIs as a senior. Despite having just one round of batting practice on Wednesday, Ball ripped a line drive which was caught by the shortstop.

“I saw the ball real well, but my hit just went right at the guy,” said Ball, who played two innings in right field. “I was happy to get the chance to play. I’ve got a good memory, anyway.”

Ball plans to attend community college and has no current plans to play sports.

Barnett will soon rejoin his Roanoke-based Virginia Cavaliers summer league team before heading to Gaffney, S.C to begin his collegiate career at Limestone College.

“I think it’s the dream of every kid in Virginia to play in this all-star game,” said Barnett, who threw a no-hitter for the Cavaliers last week.

The All-Star game ended when Daniel Bowman (Turner Ashby) made a running catch in left field and doubled off the potential tying run at second base.

“I was relieved to see that catch,” Barnett said. “I wanted to get that save.”

King College signee Josh Huffman (Jefferson Forest) earned rave reviews for his strong arm and overall defense as the West catcher. Huffman went 0-for-2 on offense, but hit the ball hard each time.

Powerful first baseman Justin Bagbey (Halifax) was named West MVP after driving in five runs.
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