With the IHSA season underway, the ScoutConnect scouting staff will be out and about in full force throughout the spring, providing quality coverage to high school athletes on a game-to-game basis. Aside from the social media aspect of our scouting, we’ll release our ‘Scout Notes’ the day after each game, which will provide a more detailed analysis of some players that stood out to our staff on that given day.
Continue reading below to learn more about a few names that stood out to our staff in a conference matchup between Carterville and Harrisburg that favored the Lions by a score of 11-5.
CARTERVILLE LIONS
Parker Poole, RHP, 2025, John A. Logan JC
Physical, broad-shouldered frame that holds strength throughout. Took the mound for the Lions in a conference win over Harrisburg, firing six innings of two-run ball with four earned runs, five walks, and eight strikeouts. Raw mover, still learning how to control himself down the mound and more comfortable working from the windup. Does throw with some effort, lets his front foot hit the ground and finishes straight through it. Arm plays with some length on the backside and works out of a high ¾ slot. Obvious arm talent, relied mostly on the fastball in this look, holding 87-90 mph over six innings and 105 pitches. Touched 90 mph a few times in his final inning of work. Showed a short 79-80 mph slider early, didn’t use it much as he went on. A physical, power-armed senior that has a chance to be a 95+ mph arm one day.
Alex Lyell, 3B, 2026, Uncommitted
Strong right-handed hitter that hit fourth and started at third base for the Lions. Put Carterville on the board early with an RBI single to right field, would go that way again for a sacrifice fly to right field in his second at-bat. Finished the day driving in three runs on one hit.
Aidan Swallers, OF, 2026, Uncommitted
Lean, wiry left-handed hitter, started in center field and led off for Carterville. Slappy, old-school type of approach with high bat-to-ball. Doesn’t try to do too much other than put the ball in play. Short, direct path to contact. Had three hits in this game; two infield singles to the left side and a line drive up the middle, also dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Covers ground in the outfield, quick first step. A left/left uncommitted junior that can positively impact the game in multiple ways.
Drake Capie, INF, 2026, Uncommitted
Athletic, well-proportioned frame with long levers that could comfortably continue to add strength in the coming years. Started at second base and hit eighth for Carterville. Loose athletic left-handed swing with some leverage, barrel works slightly uphill through the zone to contact. Reached on an infield single to the shortstop, brought a run home later in the game on a single to center field.
Zach Snow, OF/INF, 2027, Uncommitted
Lean, athletic frame with a mulit-sport background (football/basketball). Started in left field and hit out of the five-hole for Carterville, was playing shortstop the last time we saw the Lions. Level barrel through the zone with some length to contact. Barreled a line drive to right field for a double for his only hit of the day.
Gavin Johnson, DH, 2028, Uncommitted
Long, lean frame with plenty of physical projection to come. Hit sixth and served as the designated hitter. Had two hits – singled up the middle and reached on an infield single through the 6.5 hole. Controls his levers well with a short, direct path to contact and a high two-hand finish. An upside left-handed hitter to follow for Carterville.
HARRISBURG BULLDOGS
Dax Randolph, MIF, 2028, Uncommitted
Athletic, compact frame with lean strength present. Started at second base and led off for the Bulldogs. Put together the day’s most competitive at-bats. Handled an upper-80s arm comfortably, fouling pitches off consistently and working deep counts. Singled to right field in his first at-bat, went that way again for a 4-3 groundout to bring a runner from third home. Athletic hands with a short, compact swing, controls the barrel and is able to cover the plate. Looked like a senior at the plate that had been playing high school varsity ball for four years, not a freshman in his first season at this level. Clean, confident actions on the infield with fluid footwork that get him into a strong fielding position. A freshman to follow for the Bulldogs that figures to be an impact for Harrisburg in the coming years.
Max Davidson, RHP, 2028, Uncommitted
Athletic, high-waisted frame with lean strength present. Came out of the ‘pen and threw 1 ⅔ innings late in the game for Harrisburg, allowing one run on two hits with no walks and one strikeout. Simple tall/fall type delivery with some lean at balance point, short strider with a closed front foot at landing. Short, tight arm stroke, loose ¾ finish. Fastball worked mostly to the glove-side corner of the plate, sitting at 79-80, touching 81 mph, clean/easy out the hand. Showed a 70-71 mph curveball, still developing feel for it.
