Sunlake Puts Away District Foe Clearwater
March 12, 2016
By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout
Last night the Clearwater Tornadoes visited the Sunlake Seahawks in a heated district matchup that was a back-and-forth affair until the sixth inning. Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Seahawks bats erupted for 10 runs to end the game at 13-3 due to the mercy.
Starting pitcher 2017 RHP Tommy Mace (Sunlake HS, FL) gave up a couple hits in the first inning to allow a run to score, but after that really locked in and kept the Tornadoes lineup off balance until the fifth inning. For most of the game, Mace’s fastball sat 86-88 mph with life, touching 89 a couple times. The Kentucky recruit showed good extension and the ability to fill up the strike zone while mixing in a 72-74 mph curveball that he threw for strikes and had a decent 3/4 break. Mace would strike out six and scatter five hits while allowing two earned runs in his outing, which resulted in a no decision. After Mace exited in the fifth inning, 2016 LHP Mike Rodriguez (Sunlake HS, FL) would come in for the top of the sixth and quickly dispose of the Tornadoes lineup by allowing no hits and striking out two on his way to the win.
Starting pitcher 2016 RHP Garrison Bryant (Clearwater HS, FL) grinded it out for five innings with a fastball that showed some tailing action sitting 85-87 mph while mixing in a 70-71 mph curveball. Bryant went after hitters all night and even though he would finish with nine strikeouts, he would get credited with the loss after the Seahawks lineup came alive in the sixth inning and knocked him out of the game. Bryant also showed a gap-to-gap approach at the plate from the left side. The senior not only showed his athleticism throughout the game, but is also known for his play on the football field where he is a star quarterback.
For the home Seahawks, 2017 3B Michael Wu (Sunlake HS, FL) had himself a game and led the charge on offense as he went 3-for-4 on the night, finishing a home run shy of the cycle while knocking in three runs. The big 10-run sixth inning was started by Wu’s bases clearing double and was the jump start the Seahawks offense needed to finally put the visiting Tornadoes away. 2017 OF Jacob Orlicek (Sunlake HS, FL) and 2017 SS Kyle Oliver (Sunlake HS, FL) would also be key parts of the Seahawks offense on the night and they would combine for four RBIs and three runs.
With the win, the Sunlake Seahawks moved to 6-3 on the season and will take on Fivay HS, FL in their next matchup.