The 2019 FHSI Classic featured some phenomenal pitching performances, setting the table for an exciting week of tournament play.
Key West 2
Grandview 1
Callan Carn opened things up with a fantastic effort on the bump for Key West, leading the Conchs to a day one win over the Grandview (CO) Wolves, 2-1, on Monday morning.
Carn went the distance for Key West, tossing seven effective innings. He only allowed two hits, and retired the side in order four times. He walked two batters and also struck out nine.
Spenser Vinson supplied the offense from the nine-hole, going 2-3 with a double, run, RBI and stolen base.
University 6
Lake Mary Prep 3
The reigning FHSI Showcase champs started off hot with a 6-3 win over the Lake Mary Prep Griffins at the Boombah Sports Complex in Sanford on Monday morning.
The top and bottom of the order did the majority of the damage for the Titans. Leadoff man Jarrett Hart did his job, reaching base two out of four times. He scored once, drove in one, and also had steals. From the nine-hole, Colby Molle chipped in a double, to runs, an RBI and a walk.
Mason Morello notched two doubles for the Griffins in a losing effort.
Timber Creek 4
Tampa Prep 1
Cole Nelson and Gabriel Cruz powered the Wolves offense, while Luis Rivero and Denton Coquyt handled things on the mound en route to a 4-1 win over the Tampa Prep Terrapins.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Nelson came through for Timber Creek in the third inning, singling home Parker Wood and Cade Nelson. Cruz added two hits and a sac fly RBI in the 5th to help the offense, who tallied seven hits on the day.
Rivero got the start for Timber Creek, and navigated his way through five innings of work, allowing only two hits, and one earned run. He then gave way to Coquyt who fired two scoreless to earn the save.
Montverde Academy 6
St. Johns Country Day 3
Montverde is the second reigning champ playing this week, after going 4-0 in last year's Classic. Things started off on the right claw for the Eagles, as they took home a 6-3 win over the STCD Spartans on Monday.
Manuel de Gracia pitched to contact all night long, and fell one out shy of an official quality start. His final line read 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER. Julian Delgado then came in and struck out three of the four hitters he faced in a perfect 1.1 innings to earn the save.
Victor Rodriguez was the spark plug for the Eagles, recording a double, a run scored, and two RBI.
Bolles 2
Christian Academy of Knoxville 0
(8 innings)
Pro scouts piled into Sanford Memorial Stadium on Monday evening to catch a glimpse of Bolles LHP Hunter Barco. He certainly didn't fold under pressure, turning in a masterful outing and helping the Bulldogs to a shutout win.
Barco is considered by many to be one of the top best prep left handed pitchers in the entire country, and has a chance to be a first-round pick in June's MLB draft. He showed why on Monday, posting a line of 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB and 8 K. His fast ball was clocked as high as 95 mph, and he also showcased a devastating curve ball.
He was matched nearly pitch for pitch however by Jacob Tate of CAK. The University of Kentucky commit tossed seven scoreless innings of his own, scattering two hits, two walks and striking out nine.
Bryson Kirksey and J. Pau Schellenberg scored the two runs in the eighth to seal the win for the Bulldogs.
Seminole 4
Royal Palm Beach 1
The scouts weren't done after just one game today. They stuck around for the nightcap, which featured Seminole RHP Matt Allan on the bump. He was flawless in his outing, giving the Seminoles a 1-0 record to start the week.
Quite simply, Allan was perfect. Of the fifteen batters he faced. fifteen batters were retired. The Wildcats couldn't handle the mid 90s heat jumping of Allan's arm. Of the fifteen outs he recorded, and impressive 13 were via strikeout. Allan even chipped in at the plate, launching an RBI double in the first that scored Jalen Debose.
Schedule for Tuesday March 19
11:15 am: Montverde vs. Spruce Creek
1:45 pm: University vs. Royal Palm
4:15 pm: Tampa Prep vs. Lake Mary Prep
6:45 pm: CAK vs. SJCD
Rain is in the forecast for Tuesday, so be sure to stay up to date with all schedule changes by following us on Twitter