Prep Baseball Report

Rockledge Wins Battle Of The Beach



By Rob Sidwell
Florida Scouting Director

Merritt Island, FL—In front of a packed house Friday night, two unbeaten teams met up for a Battle of the Beach between Central Florida’s top team in Rockledge HS and powerhouse Merritt Island HS.

For Rockledge, it was all about a big first inning when 2016 C Trevor Payne led off with a single and 2016 LHP Drew Parrish reached on an error. With two on, 2017 IF Kevin Clanton jumped on a hanging curveball and unloaded a home run to deep left-center field. That was all Rockledge would need, holding on for a 3-2 victory.

Parrish, a Florida State recruit, controlled the game on the mound, holding the Mustangs to one run over 6.1 innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out nine.

Merritt Island tried to chip away at the deficit, scoring once in the third inning when 2017 SS Brady McConnell, a Florida recruit, singled, stole second and came home on an RBI single from 2016 OF Jackson Muldowney.

After giving up the home run in the first inning, 2017 RHP Rudy Travaglini settled in and shut down Rockledge for the rest of the night, going the distance without up a hit after the first inning.

Merritt Island wouldn’t go down without a fight. Parrish struck out the first batter of the seventh and then surrendered a walk before being reliever by 2016 RHP Mason Studstill, a Miami recruit. On to close the game, Studstill walked the first batter and an infield error allowed another run to score, making it 3-2 with two outs and two runners on. 2018 C/RHP Mason Denaburg, a Florida recruit, stepped to the plate and with two strikes, sent a ball to deep right-center field that looked like it had a chance to get out. But 2016 OF/LHP Brady Martello, a Seminole State JC recruit, made an over-the-shoulder, diving catch at the fence to end the game.

Merritt Island HS
Brady McConnell: 3-4, 2B, SB, RBI
Jackson Muldowney: 1-2, RBI
Connor Allen: 1-3
Trent Taylor: 1-3
Rudy Travaglini: 7 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 5 K, HBP

Rockledge
Trevor Payne: 1-3
Kevin Clanton: 1-2, HR, 3 RBIs
Drew Parrish 6.1 IP, 6 H, R, 9 K, 2 BB
Mason Studstill: 0.2 IP, R, BB, K

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