Bouey pitches strong in Crab Claw Classic

By: James Peters

Gazette News

Sherwood High rising junior Will Bouey had already made an impression at the two-day Mid-Atlantic High School Baseball Classic, otherwise known as the Crab Claw Classic, before he even took the mound Saturday.

Then the hard-throwing right-handed pitcher tossed two scoreless innings in the showcase game at Joe Cannon Stadium, which finished in a 14-14 tie.

Bouey was one of seven Montgomery County players to reach Saturday's all-star contest on the basis of his performance during Friday's combine. He dazzled college coaches from the universities of Maryland, West Virginia and Towson, among others, with his velocity (88 miles per hour) topping his team, the Black Claw All-Stars.

He started Saturday's game against the Gold Claw team, featuring players from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey. The 2009 first-team All-Gazette selection struck out three and picked off a runner, facing the minimum six batters on 29 pitches in his two innings.

"We were down one pitcher, so they asked me if I wanted to start and throw two," Bouey said. "I jumped at the opportunity to throw two innings at a showcase. I just came here and did what I've been doing. … There are a lot of schools here. I saw Maryland, West Virginia. Georgia Tech's here. It's good exposure."

Professional scout Lou Holcomb founded the event seven years ago. Roughly 200 players turned out for Friday's combine, which was broken down by position and included tests for foot speed, arm strength, fielding and hitting for contact and power.

"I think it went well," Holcomb said. "We try to get a little better each year."

As has Good Counsel rising senior George Smith, who aptly displayed his overall skills. He made diving catches in the outfield to deny two probable base hits. At the plate, he had a double and a two-run single, with two runs scored and a stolen base.

The two-run single up the middle helped his Gold Claw squad open up a 13-9 lead in the seventh inning.

"Just try my best and make all the plays I could make and hit when I'm supposed to," Smith said. "I think it helped me out a lot. It was a good experience."

Bullis first baseman Harrison Farmer drove in three runs, including a two-run double to right center field during the Gold Claw's eight-run seventh. Quince Orchard rising junior Peter Bowles saw time behind the plate and at third while Good Counsel rising senior Matt Kohn produced a walk and an infield single.