Prep Baseball Report

McCants Bros. Lead Pensacola Catholic Over Lincoln


Phil Kerber
PBR Florida/JUCO Wire



PENSACOLA, FL
- After dropping a tight one in the first leg of their Saturday doubleheader, Lincoln took a quick rest before taking on hosts Pensacola Catholic. The two schools traded runs over the first three innings before pitching took over. It was Jordan McCants individual effort on the basepaths in the bottom of the sixth proved the difference, as Pensacola Catholic came away with a 4-3 victory.

Pensacola Catholic’s bats started the game off hot. Jordan McCants gave the Crusaders their first hit with a triple off the wall in the center field. His brother, Mississippi commit, TJ McCants followed by blasting one over the right field wall for a two run home run. Both brothers are similar in stature with long, lanky frames, display similar actions with smooth, athletic movements.


Lincoln would not be denied a run this game. The Trojans responded to the Crusaders by scratching across a run of their own in the top of the second. Catholic was one out away from working a clean inning, before three consecutive walks gave Lincoln a big opportunity. A passed ball secured the first run, but the Trojans could do no more.

The Trojans came back in the top of the third ready for more. 3B Leo Bronakowski led the inning off with a line drive to center field. The center fielder attempted to make a diving play by came up short, allowing the ball to roll into deep center. Bronakowski got on his horse and legged out a triple. 1B Shawn Snyder (Lake Sumter SC recruit) then came up and spotted Lincoln a two run homer of their own with his moon shot over the right field wall. Lincoln took their first lead of the game at 3-2 heading into the bottom of the third.

The Crusaders had no intention of surrendering. Colin Whibbs responded by pulling a double into left field. He then forced an errant throw to second base by the pitcher on a pickoff, taking third. Another error, by center field, allowed Whibbs to take home and lock the game up at 3-3.

Lincoln were able to get multiple men on base in three of the final four innings. However, they could not get a runner past second base. Some base running errors and timely defense/pitching allowed Pensacola Catholic to escape unharmed.

As we seemingly inched closer to a game destined for extras, Jordan McCants had other ideas. The standout sophomore led the sixth off with a single up the middle. McCants promptly got himself into scoring position by stealing second base. He continued to put pressure on the pitcher with an extended lead at second. The pitcher took notice and attempted a pick off that errantly went into center field. McCants took advantage, taking off for third base. As he slid in, the throw from the center fielder went sailing over third base and McCants was up and heading for home. With his speed, there was little chance of catching him as he crossed home safely.


The lead now in-hand 4-3, Pensacola Catholic reliever, submariner Robert Black, took the mound for his second inning of relief. Lincoln was not going to go down without a fight. The Trojans got base hits from Beau Evans and Snyder in the inning, giving them a chance. However, Black was able to roll up a fitting an end to the game, a 4-6-3 double play turned by the McCants brothers up the middle.

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