LAKELAND, Fla. — Outfielder Shon Carson from Lake City (S.C.) High was one of the most exciting players on the field today. Carson reached base twice—getting from home to first in 4.25 seconds in one of his singles.

But Carson has the blazing speed to turn singles into pseudo triples in about two pitches.

"That's a big part of my game and the scouts like to see that," Carson said.

Carson doesn't just use his speed on the basepaths. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder is also one of the nation's best running backs. Carson said he brings a football mentality to the baseball diamond, but that the two sports are also different.

"In football, you can turn it on and turn it off when you want to," Carson said. "In baseball, you can't turn it on and turn it off, you have to come ready for baseball, practice hard and get ready for it. Football I think is easier for me, because I can read the defense better and I know what type of defense they're playing. But I don't have a favorite, I like both of them."

While Carson hasn't decided which sport will dominate his future, he said he has been having fun on the showcase circuit this summer and is enjoying the pro-style environment the East Coast Professional Showcase offers players.

"It's been pretty good," Carson said. "I get to see where I stand with all the players around the nation and stuff."

East Coast Boast

Third baseman Max Kuhn squared the ball up nicely today, going 2-for-5 with two doubles and a flyout to the warning track . . . Righthander Matt Wisler threw three innings and did not allow a hit or a walk, while also notching three strikeouts. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound righthander from Bryan (Ohio) High was 86-89 mph with his fastball that has a little sink. He mixed in a good curveball in the 73-75 mph range that he threw for strikes, even to the inside part of the plate against righthanders . . . Righthander Chris Ellis gave up one run on one hit over four innings of work with no walks and five strikeouts. The lean, 6-foot-4, 192-pounder from Spain Park High in Hoover, Ala. pitched in the 86-88 mph range. He showed a quick arm and got good downhill plane on his fastball while mixing in a 74-76 mph curveball . . . Outfielder Dwight Smith went 4-for-5 with a double and a triple in the televised nightcap, consistently hitting the ball hard.