Early run gives McDonald the edge as Sickles tops Crest

Sickles senior Caden McDonald struck out nine across six shutout innings as the Gryphons defeated Strawberry Crest, 2-0 in the season opener.

Story by Jarrett Guthrie, Editor
Photos by Mike Camunas, Creative Director

Click here for a gallery of some extra photos from this game taken by Mike Camunas.

CITRUS PARK – The 20-plus pro scouts may have been drawn to the northeast of Hillsborough County by an opposing player, but Sickles senior and reigning 813Preps 6A-7A Player of the Year Caden McDonald was happy to welcome the visitors to his home turf regardless.

The 6-foot-3, UCF signed righty picked up right where he left off a season ago, after finishing 9-2 on the mound, by delivering six shutout innings, striking out nine and leading the way as the preseason No. 2-ranked Gryphons defeated No. 4 Strawberry Crest, 2-0 in the two rivals season opener. 

The large scouting contingent was in attendance to focus on Chargers senior shortstop and projected first round MLB draft selection Arjun Nimmala, but for McDonald, the atmosphere created more excitement than nerves when taking the mound for his first start.

“It hyped me up, it is always exciting to get to face (Nimmala), I have a tremendous amount of respect for him,” McDonald said. “But I was definitely out there trying to blow my fastball by him.”

After a 1-2-3 top of the first which included a strikeout of Nimmala, Sickles (1-0) gave the senior captain early support as Connor Vance walked, moved to second on a walk to Hayden Yost and eventually scored what would prove the deciding run on a hard ground ball into left from junior Thomas Bly.

“I was late on the first-pitch fastball, they followed with a curve, so I was expecting another fastball,” Bly said. “I got loaded early and tried to put a hard barrel on it and it worked out. It’s always good to help Caden out early, because we know what he is going to do out there (on the mound).”

McDonald was grateful for the quick run from his teammates.

“Getting that one run early in the game was huge,” McDonald said. “Who doesn’t love being able to work while ahead? That was part of our game plan, get some runners aboard in the first, get the pitcher rattled, and get a run in and we’ll do the rest.”

With the run in his pocket, McDonald retired the first two he faced in the second, before a pair of Strawberry Crest (0-1) freshmen Dillon Knight and Ray Llanes each singled. The momentum swing came up a bit short however, as McDonald struck out senior Alex Philpott to end the threat.

Strawberry Crest senior RHP Alex Philpott.

Philpott who started the game on the mound for the Chargers worked 4 1/3 innings scattering just three hits, but was charged with the Gryphons second run as Vance was again pushed across the plate – this time on a single from McDonald up the middle.

Vance, also an All-813Preps first team selection last season, will have to wait for his first hit of the year, but made the most of his two walks in the game and has proven an excellent table setter for Sickles.

“I wish Connor was getting more looks out there, he is going to do so well for someone in college,” McDonald said of his leadoff teammate. “He just gets on base. He is the best leadoff hitter in this county, and we couldn’t possibly ask for anything more from him.”

Sickles senior leadoff Connor Vance scores one of his two runs in the win.

For his part, Vance said he knew how important it was to provide some early support for the staff ace.

“He threw a hell of a game, and that gave us the energy we needed to fight for the win,” Vance said. “His energy got us going, we got that run and got the win because of it.”

Unfortunately, the fifth inning also produced a bit of bad luck for the Gryphons as Bly dropped to the ground in pain after sending a fly ball into center, and was forced to leave the game with a right knee injury. After the win, there was no official update on the Louisville commit’s injury, but there was a good sign with him putting pressure on it and joining his team in the postgame meeting on the field.

Sickles senior Hayden Yost.

Gryphons seniors Hayden Yost and Justin Allen each chipped in a pair of singles in the win, and Luke Fikar finished off the Chargers, earning a save with a pair of strikeouts in the seventh.

Sickles reliever Luke Fikar.

The marquee matchup on the night between Nimmala and McDonald tipped slightly in the favor of the Gryphons hurler, who struck out the Florida State committed shortstop in his first two at-bats. However, Nimmala got his first hit of the season in the sixth, singling past a diving third baseman off of McDonald.

Strawberry Crest senior Arjun Nimmala.

The two teams met in the region final a season ago, with Sickles squeaking past the Chargers in what always proves to be a tough game. This is the only scheduled meeting for the two this season, and with the Strawberry Crest moving up to Class 7A, this year this might be it for one of the best rivalries in the county. Perhaps a Saladino Tournament meeting lies ahead for the two teams: stay tuned.

(#2) Sickles 2, (#4) Strawberry Crest 0

SC 000|000|0 – |0|3|1
Si  100|000|0 – |2|6|0
W – McDonald (1-0); L – Philpott (0-1); S – Fikar (1)
Records – SC (0-1); Si (1-0).

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