Fletcher Unfazed by Johnson, Paxon SAS

Thu April 18, 2019
Phil Kerber
PBR Florida/JUCO Wire



NEPTUNE BEACH, FL - Nearby Jacksonville based Paxon SAS met up with Fletcher High School at “The Sandbox” on Wednesday evening for a clash between two local schools.The Senators were up against one of the many great pitchers coming out of Jacksonville, RHP Lebarron Johnson (Paxon SAS, 2020; Florida commit). Johnson did all he could to keep the Golden Eagles in the game, but the Senators relentless pressure on offense and tight defense was too much as they prevailed 5-2.

Paxon SAS came within feet of taking a lead in the first inning. Leadoff man Cole Turner (2019) started things off with a single to the left side of the infield. Then, taking advantage of some erratic pitching, took second and third on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Fletcher starter RHP Seth Wysocki (2019) rung up Paxon 3B Sean Reed (2019) on a drop third strike. On the throw to first base, Turner broke for home. A quick release and perfect throw from Fletcher’s 1B Blake Pound (2020) got the ball to C Cherokee Nichols (2020), and he firmly applied tag to end the inning.

Riding a wave of emotion and momentum, the Senators were up against Lebarron Johnson. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander has a big, strong frame, creating an imposing figure on the mound. During the first inning his fastball sat 90-91 mph almost every pitch, eventually settling in at 88-91 mph in later innings. He mixed in a sharp 12/6 curveball that came in at 74-78 mph. The Senators did not shy away though. Johnson hit the leadoff batter, but was quickly able to roll up a double blay ball, had the defense supported him. Fletcher made the defense pay for the error. 2B Ian Brown (2019) squared a ball up into the right center gap for a two run double. Brown would eventually score, advancing on a fly ball and then coming around on a passed ball to make it 3-0 Fletcher.
 


Wysocki worked through a clean second inning for the Senators, running his fastball up to 84 mph while mixing in a slurve-like breaking ball. Paxon were able to tag him for one run in the third inning. CF Deuce Pitts (2019) led off with a double to deep center field. Pitts took third on a passed ball and then aggressively went for home on a ground ball to third base, safely making it, 3-1.

RHP Carter Shall (2020) relieved Wysocki after the third inning. Shall  worked quickly on the mound over his two inning of work sitting 81-83 mph, touching 85. The fourth inning almost got a little tense, but Shall was able to roll up an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

The Golden Eagles had a huge opportunity in the sixth inning to tie the game up and even take the lead. Back-to-back walks and a bloop single by C Ryan Dowling (2019) had the Golden Eagles in business. Reed was able to get one run across with a deep fly ball to right field. The bases re-loaded on Johnson’s check swing single. 2B Thomas Huff (2022) squared one up for a line drive that, had it been hit anywhere else would have scored two runs, was snagged by SS Jevin Relaford (2019). Relaford had his wits about him immediately and doubled off the runner at second base, ending the threat.

Fletcher was able to extend the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth and close out the game comfortably.

 

Related Content