Florida Preseason Classic: Day 5 Recap

The 2021 FL Preseason Classic continued on Friday at Vero Beach HS as we had a big pitching matchup between Andy Painter for Calvary Christian and Brandon Neely for Spruce Creek. Painter the No. 1 player in the 2021 class got hit around a bit but still featured electric stuff. He sat 94-96 with the fastball with elite secondary pitches. He allowed 4 runs in 3 innings and struck out 5. Neely started for Spruce Creek and was sitting 90-94 with the fastball. He competed for 4 shutout innings while striking out 4.

Offensively, this one was all Spruce Creek. They were out to an early lead in the first after an RBI double by FIU commit Dalton Hurst. They added more in the third as FSU commit Preston Wetherell launched a 3-run homer to left giving Spruce Creek a 5-0 lead. Stetson commit Evan Mastromauro later doubled in 2 more runs. Spruce Creek would go on to score 13 total runs in this one after several more walks and sacrifice flies.

Calvary Christian was able to finally get on the board in the 5th as North Alabama commit Jonathan Lane cleared the bases with a 3-RBI double. Spruce Creek would go on to win 13-3.

Other Standouts

Corey Robinson (Spruce Creek) - 1-1, 3 BB, 4 R

The nightcap featured another lopsided game as Jesuit took on Winter Haven. 2021 UCF commit Dominic Castellano started the first 2 innings for Jesuit allowing 1 run with 3 strikeouts sitting 85-88 with the fastball. Uncommitted 2021 Kris Sosnowski followed Castellano going 2 shutout innings striking out 2 while sitting 88-89 with the fastball.

Offensively, Jesuit attacked early and often. Tulane commit BJ Graham struck early in the first with a two-run homer followed by an RBI double by Miami commit Jake Kulikowski. In the second, Pitt commit AJ Nessler launched a bases-clearing 3-RBI double to extend Jesuit’s lead to 7-0. Jesuit added more runs as Wabash-Valley commit Bradke Lohry singled in a run. Kulikowski later hit his second double of the game to score two more runs.

Uncommitted 2022 Dylan Bowen had Winter Haven's biggest hit of the game as he launched an RBI double to deep left. Jesuit would go on to win this one by a score of 13-5.

Other Standouts

Jalen Hairston (Winter Haven) - 1-2, 2B
Jack Martinez (Jesuit) - 1-1, RBI, R
Nick Rodriguez (Jesuit) - 1-2, 2B, BB, 2 R
Aidan Morales (Jesuit) - 1-3, 2B, R