Game Recap: Marietta vs. Campbell

Thu February 13, 2020
Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

Marietta vs Campbell
February 12, 2020

Two of the state’s top pitchers met in the season opener at Marietta as RHP Carlson Reed (West Virginia, 2020) welcomed RHP/SS Michael Braswell (South Carolina, 2021) and the Campbell Spartans to town. The pitching match-up itself drew a large crowd of scouts, as there were no less than 10 professional scouts in attendance to see the two do battle. Campbell used timely hitting and put pressure on the Marietta defense when they got runners on to scratch across three runs. And a big time relief appearance by LHP Andrew Herrmann (Wofford, 2021) bridged the gap to the seventh inning, where his twin brother UTL Michael Herrmann (Uncommitted, 2021) sealed the 3-0 win for the Spartans.

Reed started the game with an electric fastball, sitting 87-90 mph with a latel ifel. The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder, went right at hitters with his heater, challenging them early and often. When the Spartan offense started to expect it, he switched over to his slider, which he consistently dropped in for a strike at 73-76 mph. Reed would go 3.0 innings pitched, allowing three hits, two unearned runs, striking out five and walking none.


Credit to the Campbell batters for not backing down one bit. Sophomore SS Garrett DeHart hit a short chopper to third base that he was able to beat out for an infield single in the first inning. DeHart was able to advance to third with two outs when the third baesman short hopped his throw to first on Xavier Williams’ (Alabama A&M, 2020) groundball. The Spartans put the pressure on when Mack attempted to steal second, reaching safely on an overthrow and allowing DeHart to score. The lead grew to 2-0 when on 2B Hassan Goggins (2020) sacrifice fly.

Heading to the bottom of the first, Braswell took to the mound with a lead under his belt. Braswell took little time to work through the bottom of the first inning, striking out the side. With an athletic arm action and some effort, he sat 85-87, touching 88 and 89 mph. The fastball showed all kinds of like, running heavily on to the hands of right-handed hitters. What was even more impressive was his command use of his offspeed pitches. Braswell’s changeup was nearly untouchable, maintaining his arm speed and slot, the pitch had late, heavy fade, dropping off the table at 76-79 mph. Then he would drop in his curveball, that was deceptive to say the least. His breaking ball had 11/5 shape and late break, giving the Marietta hitters little time to recognize the pitch. Braswell pitched a nearly flawless three innings, racking up seven strikeouts, while surrendering two hits.
Marietta’s best chance came in the fourth inning when Campbell went to their bullpen. The Spartans tried to bridge the gap to Herrmann with freshman RHP Alex Karst. Karst has a ton of projection in his frame, and will be a high follow as he matures, but in his first appearance on varsity, the Blue Devils jumped all over him. CF Peter Warrick (2020) led the inning off with a double and then Reed followed up with a single, giving Marietta first and third with no outs.

Enter southpaw Andrew Herrmann. Herrmann came out and went right after the Marietta lineup. The left-hander was more than effective with his three pitch arsenal, getting swing and misses with all of them. Equipped with a fastball that worked 82-85 mph that showed armside run and sink, he set up his curveball and changeup to perfection. His curveball came in at 68-71 mph in a 12/6 shape with depth and his changeup played 75-76 mph, sinking heavily low in the zone. Herrmann slammed the door shut, striking out three consecutive batters, all on offspeed pitches, to strand runners at the corners. He would go 3.1 innings pitched, giving up two hits, striking eight and walking one and hitting another batter.
Herrmann’s twin brother, Michael, relieved him in the seventh inning with one out and finished the deal with a flyout and groundout, securing the Spartans a season opening victory.

Related Content