PBR Future Games: Day Two Recap

August 6, 2016

Final: Illinois 2, Indiana 2

In the final game of the day Team Illinois matched up against Team Indiana. Offense was hard to come by thanks to a procession of strong pitchers from both clubs. The two teams battled to a 2-2 tie, with the game ending in a flourish as Illinois 1B Anthony Herron (Simeon HS) was called out at the plate trying to score on a wild pitch.

Team Illinois jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over Indiana after the first inning. MIF Jamarion Loston (Morgan Park HS) drew a leadoff walk and proceeded to steal second and third base. He was later knocked in on a groundout by MIF D’Eric Shenault (Kenwood HS).

Team Indiana got a two-run single by Xavier Haendiges (Salem HS, IN) in the top of the third inning to go up 2-1.

Team Illinois tied the game up at two in the bottom of the fourth inning with a first and third double steal. With two outs and Dakota Kotowski (Providence Catholic HS) standing on third, the runner from first stole second. As the Indiana catcher threw to second, Kotowski took off for home and scored easily when the middle infielder attempted to place the tag on the would be base stealer.

With the two outs and the game still tied at two in the bottom of the seventh, Anthony Herron (Simeon HS) tried to score from third base on a wild pitch that ricocheted off the backstop. Team Indiana’s catcher bounced on the ball and flipped it to the pitcher covering which resulted in a bang-bang play at the plate. The call went in favor of Team Indiana and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Seven pitchers threw one inning a piece for Team Illinois in game one. A look at some of the top individual performances of the game from Team Illinois:

+ Jacob Maton, RHP, Glenwood HS, 2018
The 6-foot-3, 170-pound Maton started for Illinois and proceeded to prove that he belongs in the conversation of one of the top uncommitted prospects at the event. Maton sat 88-89 with his fastball, touching 90 once, but it was his slider that turned heads. What he previously classified as a cutter, Maton unveiled a slider that had sharp, late bite, thrown aggressively and around the zone at 78-80. He recorded a pair of strikeouts on his slider. Maton has a short, quick arm action and has yet to begin to fill into his frame. Both his brothers were draft picks.

+ Steven Sanchez, LHP, Mundelein HS, 2018
At 6-foot-8, 230-pounds, Sanchez is an imposing presence on the mound. Despite his size, he threw a high-volume of strikes with his 86-87 mph fastball coming from a steep angle. He also flashed feel for his 75-76 curveball. Sanchez struck out one, walked one in a quick, efficient one-inning stint.

+ Evan Tenuta, RHP, Sandburg HS, 2018
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder sat 87-88 with his fastball from an over-the-top slot. He has a quick, athletic arm and produced three ground outs after surrendering a leadoff hit.

+ Derek Salata, RHP, Nazareth Academy HS, 2018
Salata has broad shoulders and a durable 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame. Working from a high-3/4 slot and minimal effort, his fastball sat 83-84 with occasional arm-side run. Salata breezed through his one-inning stint.

+ Tyler Acosta, OF, Barrington HS, 2018
The 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitter provided one of Illinois’ few offensive highlights when he turned on an 88-mph fastball down the left-field line and proceeded to glide around the bases for a double.

+ Jamarion Loston, MIF, Morgan Park, 2018
5-foot-8, 150-pound middle infield played a steady middle infield all game long. Made multiple plays on the move and showed off an accurate arm. Loston also caused havoc on the bases, single handedly accounting for the first run of the game after stealing second and third base.

Team Illinois is back in action on Saturday playing their final two games of the Future Games. They will face off against Team Wisconsin at 4pm and then Team Minnesota/Iowa at 7pm.

A full schedule and pitching rotations can be found HERE.

For a full Illinois Future Games Roster CLICK HERE.