Team New Jersey suffered a tough 5-4 loss to Team Connecticut yesterday in the first game of the 2018 Future Games. Connecticut's pitchers kept the N.J. hitters off balance throughout the day, continually working in and out of jams.

NJ fell behind early in the 2nd inning, but responded in the top half of the third when 2020 OF Bobby Baxter (Egg Harber Township HS, NJ) doubled to left center field. Baxter would advance to third on a ground out by 2021 SS Christopher Markovich (North Hunterdon HS, NJ) and come around to score on 2020 1B Luke Chenault's (Pope John XXIII HS, NJ) two-strike line drive single through the right side. Chenault would advance to second base on a wild pitch and got thrown out trying to score with two outs on a line drive single by 2020 C Luke Shliger (Trinity Pawling HS, NY).

In the fourth, NJ picked up two runs on two bases loaded walks and in the 7th, 2020 OF RJ Moten (Delran HS, NJ) lined a two-out single to right field that scored a run, but was thrown out trying to advance to 2B on the throw home.

2020 INF Anthony Schooley (Cherokee HS, NJ) is certainly a name to watch. Stood out as a top performer out of all the infielders during the skills day, especially with his performance during his batting practice round.

The Pitchers

2020 RHP Braedin Hunt (Christian Brothers Academy HS, NJ) got the start for NJ – going two innings and surrendering two runs on two hits and two walks. Hunt struck out three and used his swing-and-miss slider to work him out of a jam in the first inning. He say consistently at 85-88 and touched 90 MPH. Flashed a breaking ball with tight 11/5 spin at 72-74 and a changeup with arm side run at 78.

2020 RHP Benjamin Simon (Hightstown HS, NJ) tossed two innings and picked up a K in relief of Hunt. Simon wowed scouts with a hard mix of sinkers at 84-88 touching 89 and a hard, late biting swing and miss slider at 76-81. Simon is tough to pick up from a true-3/4 slot and a quick arm action.

2020 RHP Gavin Stellpflug (Somerville HS, NJ) stands at a towering 6-foot-6 on the bump and was sitting 83-85 touching 86 a couple times too. A common theme for NJ pitchers yesterday continued with Stellpflug's outing, where he ripped off a few 11/5 sliders at 72-75 for strikes. Stellpflug is a true sinker-slider type from a 3/4 slot and is difficult to pick up for hitters. The lanky right hander allowed just one hit and one run and collected three strikeouts in two innings of work.

2020 RHP Nick Hammer (Washington Township HS, NJ) closed the game out for Team NJ with an efficient, scoreless inning. Hammer, a two-time Future Games participant, sat 83-85 touching 87 and flashed a breaker at 67-69 with gradual 11/5 break. Hammer pounded the bottom half of the zone. 

2020 RHP Robert Ready (St. Augustine Prep HS, NJ) stands a durable 6-foot-2 220-pounds and was electric in his outing. The right hander from South Jersey was 87-88 touching 90 a couple times with a hard, late swing-and-miss 11/5 slider at 77-78. He also flashed a changeup with armside run at 79-81. He was electric from the start and set the tone for Team Select.

2020 RHP Sean Duffy (Egg Harbor Township HS, NJ) sat 85-88 with late life. Flashed gradual 11/5 breaker at 70-71 and flashed feel for a straight changeup at 73-74. Both Ready and Duffy will be throwing again tomorrow for Team Select.

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