No. 3 Bolles, Barco Edge Bartram Trail 3-2

Fri March 8, 2019
Phil Kerber
PBR Florida/JUCO Wire

ST. JOHNS, FL - A cool and windy night did not stop two of the top pitchers in the area from going head-to-head as Bolles made the trip to Bartram Trail. The imposing figures of Dante Visconti (FAU recruit) and LHP Hunter Barco (Florida recruit) took the mound for their respective teams. For seven innings the teams went back-and-forth, but it was two late runs that proved vital for Bolles as they prevailed 3-2.

Widely known for his prowess on the mound, Barco got Bolles on the board in the top half of the first using his bat.  An 87 mph fastball by Visconti was lifted high into the air, so high even the center fielder lost track of it. The ball drifted and drifted and left the yard over the center field wall, putting Bolles up 1-0.

Barco then took to the mound and made easy work of the first three Bartram Trail batters. With his fastball sitting 91-93, Barco attacked. He struck out two of the first three batters looking on fastballs.


The second inning was a different story for Barco though. 1B Reece Woody led the inning off with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Bartram Trail went the small ball route with speedster Trevez Johnson laying down a bunt to advance Woody. However, Barco’s throw to first was errant on the play, allowing a run to score and Johnson to advanced to second.

The Bears were not done either. Johnson got a jump on Barco and stole third base with relative ease. 3B Clayton Ledford then did just enough to put a ball in play and score Johnson from third, giving Bartram Trail the 2-1 lead.

Visconti was able to hold the Bolles offense scoreless for three straight innings following a solo home run in the first. The senior righty remained incredibly composed during high pressure situations over the run. During the fourth inning, Bolles was able to get the first two men on with no outs. C Cal Henrichsen delivered a shot to right field, but the throw in by RF Bryan Scribner (Pensacola St. recruit) cut down the runner from second trying to score.

Bartram Trail was not out of the woods yet though, or so we thought. Visconti had other ideas. With the game on the line, Visconti struck out the next two batters, running his fastball up to 89 mph in the process and stranding the runners at second and third.


Bolles changed the course of the game in the top of fifth though. LF Jackson Mayo led the inning off with a double to center field. Following a groundout, Barco drew a walk to make it first and second with one out. A series of wild pitches, passed balls and over throws saw Mayo and Barco come around to score, giving Bolles the 3-2 lead.

Following the second inning, Barco and, eventual reliever, RHP Jackson Baumeister (Florida St. commit) shutdown the Bartram Trail offense. Barco allowed only one additional runner and struck out six over the course of the third, fourth and fifth innings. Baumeister entered in the sixth inning and did nothing but overpower the Bears offense with his fastball. He faced six batters in two innings and struck out all six on fastballs, touching 91 mph.


Visconti was relieved after the fifth inning by freshman RHP Bryce Kempner. Kempner pitched with poise, undeterred by the Bolles lineup. He was able to strikeout the first two batters looking on fastballs, and then dropped three straight curveball for strikes to get the third batter swinging in the sixth. The seventh was just as good, Kempner picked up two more strikeouts and one groundout.
Offensively, seven players on Bolles picked up at least one hit. Connor Stoll led the team with two hits, going 2-for-3 with two singles. Mayo and Henrichsen each had a double and Barco a solo home run. Bartram Trail only hit of the game was courtesy of Woody.

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