Forbis Delivering Big Plays For Rogers High

STAFF PHOTO ANTHONY REYES Carter Forbis, Rogers High senior outfielder, stands Monday in the school’s indoor pavilion.
STAFF PHOTO ANTHONY REYES Carter Forbis, Rogers High senior outfielder, stands Monday in the school’s indoor pavilion.

— Opponents may want to think twice about turning for home on a ball hit to Rogers High right fielder Carter Forbis.

Just ask Van Buren.

Profile

Carter Forbis

School: Rogers High

Class: Senior

Position: Outfield

Notable: Is batting .438 on the year, including .524 in conference games … Has 12 RBIs and five doubles, and his OPS is 1,064. … Plays both right and center field for the Mounties.

7A/6A-West Conference Baseball Standings

Team^Overall^Conference

^W-L^W-L

Fayetteville^16-3^6-0

Rogers Heritage^11-4^4-2

Rogers High^10-6^4-2

Bentonville^13-4^3-3

Springdale Har-Ber^14-4^3-3

Van Buren^6-9^2-4

Springdale High^6-12^1-5

Siloam Springs^2-12^1-5

Today

Rogers Heritage at Siloam Springs (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Springdale High at Van Buren (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Rogers High at Bentonville (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Fayetteville at Springdale Har-Ber (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Thursday

McDonald County, Mo. at Rogers Heritage, 4:30 p.m.

Friday

Farmington at Springdale High, 4:30 p.m.

Little Rock Central at Bentonville, 4:30 p.m.

Rogers High at Fort Smith Southside, 4:30 p.m.

McDonald County, Mo. at Springdale Har-Ber, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday

Little Rock Central at Fayetteville, noon

Last week in a 7A/6A-West Conference game against the Pointers, Forbis threw out Van Buren pinch runner Zac Stobaugh at the plate in the top of the seventh inning for the final out in the Mounties' 5-4 win in a key conference matchup.

It was the second time this year Forbis has gunned down a runner on the base paths, and his strong arm has made other base runners think twice about turning for home. Forbis will look to continue that trend tonight when Rogers (10-6, 4-2 7A/6A-West) travels to Bentonville for a conference doubleheader.

Rogers coach Matt Melson said a lot of Forbis' contributions in the field don't always show up in the box score.

"A lot of times, those guys with big arms stop a lot of runs just by their reputation," Melson said. "People don't run on him. There have been many times that guys know his arm, and they don't run on him. We have been able to strand them at third base. He has definitely done that."

Forbis said he tries to showcase his defensive skills to opponents during pregame warmups.

"I try to come up throwing and get the ball in really quick," Forbis said. "I always try to make a good throw and hit my cutoff man if the catcher makes that call. We always try to show off our arms in pregame. I try to never miss a chance to show off my arm a little bit. It's a challenge to see if a runner is going to go."

Forbis has also made big strides at the plate. Last season, Forbis batted a little more than .200 in the No. 8 spot. This year, Forbis is batting .438 in the No. 5 spot, including .524 in conference games. He has 12 RBIs and five doubles.

"That is what you like to see out of seniors," Melson said. "He hit around .200 last year, but he is hitting over .400 in an RBI spot this year. Carter made some adjustments at the plate and really simplified his swing. I think he has got a little more aggressive."

Forbis has only struck out three times in conference play and has walked just twice in 16 games. Forbis has a 1,064 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), and he said he takes an aggressive approach at the plate.

"I have really been working with the coaches a lot, and I try to be aggressive early in the count," Forbis said. "I try to hit the first pitch because that is usually the best pitch you are going to get. A lot of the credit goes to the guys in front of me because they have been getting hits and getting on."

Melson said Forbis has also emerged as a leader in the dugout.

"What I like most is that he has become more of a leader," Melson said. "Carter is really producing, and he has been really consistent. He has started a lot of rallies for us. We feel good when he comes to the plate. We like our younger kids to use Carter as a model, on and off the field.

"Carter has really been a cornerstone of this team."

Rogers is a game ahead of Bentonville in the league standings, but Melson said the Mounties will have to be at their best to stay ahead of the Tigers.

"Bentonville is playing better, and they are always so talented," Melson said. "To go play at their place is a tough task, but we are excited about the challenge. We know that they will be close games, and that means we have to execute. We have been playing solid defense. If we can continue to do that, we will have a chance to win."

Sports on 04/15/2014

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