THE 8-1-3List Week 6
presented by The Hitting Academy
“8” Top Teams from Week 6
1. Plant (10-3)
Plant OF Bryce Pelleriti.
This one was the toughest week for us to rank teams since the preseason. Ironically, our deciding order reverts back to that list six weeks ago after having seen all three in action last week. Plant, plain and simple, played the best game we’ve seen this season in Friday’s 4-1 win at Jesuit (click to read about that game here). Robert Satin’s complete-game effort against the Tigers was impressive, and supported by a two-run homer from Bryce Pelleriti. The Panthers also took down Leto and Riverview last week – now riding a seven-game win streak. And looky here, this sets up a #1 v #2 on Tuesday as Plant travels to Sickles on Tuesday, and hosts a South Tampa showdown with Robinson on Thursday.
Last Week: #5
2. Sickles (13-2)
Sickles looked equally impressive in our viewing of the Gryphons tilt at Bloomingdale on Thursday, where Caden McDonald allowed just one hit in five innings, striking out six, while also going yard and driving in another on an RBI double. Jacob Dial’s 2-run single put the Gryphons on the path to victory against the Bulls (read about that by clicking here), and the junior had an RBI in his fourth-straight in a Sickles win against Chamberlain on Saturday, where Brandon Gonzales earned his third win of the year. The Gryphons host top-rated Plant on Tuesday, and welcome #4 Alonso on Thursday in a tough week ahead.
Last Week: #2
3. Jesuit (14-2)
The Tigers ran into two lefty hurlers and struggled a bit on defense dropping a pair in Week 5, but Jesuit’s pitching staff was incredible. Senior John Abraham held Dunedin hitless for six innings, as the Tigers were shutout 1-0 against Dunedin, losing when a balk call sent home a run in the sixth. Wes Mendes made his debut on the mound against Plant, striking out five in his two innings after being held out from pitching with some arm fatigue. Mendes’ bat showed up late against the Panthers with his solo home run in the seventh breaking up Satin’s perfect game bid. Jesuit hosts Louisville, Ky.’s Male and Brooksville Nature Coast this week.
Last Week: #1
4. Alonso (11-4)
Alonso senior Ben Drumheller.
Winners of five-in-a-row, Alonso defeated Chamberlain and Riverview last week, and have outscored opponents 47-7 during this stretch. Senior Ben Drumheller is hitting .386 with 12 RBI, and 11 runs scored, and BJ Rivera has 14 RBI and is 4-2 on the mound with a 1.05 ERA. Junior Vincent Antuna has pitched in relief in four of the five recent wins, earning the extra-inning victory against Riverview on Saturday. The Ravens host district opponent Steinbrenner tonight, and travel to Sickles on Thursday.
Last Week: #4
5. Tampa Catholic (12-4)
The Crusaders haven’t given up a run in five games, and have won seven-straight as the pitching staff continues its impressive run, lowering the team ERA to 1.10. TC bookended mercy-rule wins last week against Tampa Prep and Carrollwood Day, around a 1-0, extra-inning win against Northside Christian last week. In that nine-inning win Danny Lazaro struck out 15, before Roman Corinti stretched his 0.00 ERA to 19 innings with a win in relief. The Crusaders host Male (Ky.) on Tuesday and bring in Berkeley Prep for a district game on Thursday.
Last Week: #6
6. Durant (10-3)
The Cougars tumble a few spots, dropping its only game last week to district opponent Newsome, 9-4. Despite the loss, senior Dylan LaPointe continued his solid season at the plate, doubling and homering against the Wolves. LaPointe is not hitting .452 on the season with three home runs. Durant will travel to Bloomingdale on Tuesday, and hosts East Bay on Thursday.
Last Week: #3
7. Gaither (10-5)
A five-game win streak brings the Cowboys back to the Top 8, including a 2-1 win against Jefferson and a 5-3 win at Strawberry Crest last week. Michael Fernandez struck out a dozen Dragons, before Anthony Linares relieved him, striking out four and earning the win. Against the Chargers, Gaither rallied back as David Pina doubled to start the fifth, and RBI hits by Nico Lopez, Miguel Pina and Paul Provencher pushed the Cowboys to victory (read our game story here). Gaither have a three-game week on deck with Sumner visiting on Monday, and trips to Robinson (Tuesday) and Steinbrenner (Thursday) ahead.
Last Week: NR
8. Newsome (8-5)
Newsome catcher Braden Moon.
The Wolves have won four-straight and picked up district wins against Strawberry Crest and Durant in this stretch. Last week the Wolves jumped out to an eight-run lead on Durant behind six strong innings from Evan Dempsey, who struck out six while allowing just one run (a game you can read about by clicking here). Junior Braden Moon increased his team-RBI lead to 14 with a pair of RBI against the Cougars, and went 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored in the Wolves win against Middleton last week. Newsome travels to Brandon for a game on Tuesday, and host Bloomingdale on Thursday.
Last Week: NR
Dropping out this week: #7 Jefferson (10-5); #8 Bloomingdale (9-4).
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“1” Team to Watch
Wharton (7-7)
Wharton junior Jake Turer.
Drew Cobb and Dylan Klinger’s homers pushed the Wildcats to an 8-6 win against Steinbrenner on Thursday, as Wharton has won four straight and returns to .500 on the season. Jake Turer’s return from an injury has helped spark the Wildcats’ current run, as the junior is 5-for-12, with two doubles and four RBI in the streak and is hitting .481. Wharton also claimed a neighborhood victory defeating Freedom, 9-3 last week where Caden Long earned the win on the mound, and drove in a pair. Wharton has two tough games this week, visiting Strawberry Crest on Tuesday, and hosting Armwood on Thursday.
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“3” Top Performances
Nathan Jennewein, Robinson
After a pair of tough outings on the mound against Durant, the senior held Spoto hitless in his five-inning win on Thursday, striking out three. Jennewein has made six appearances on the mound this year, and in three of those hasn’t yielded an earned run. He has a 3.41 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings on the mound.
Anthony Palestrini, Plant City
The Raiders senior homered twice and drove in six in a 1-1 week for Plant City last week. Despite a 5-8 record for the Raiders this season, Palestrini has steadily produced at the plate, hitting .333, with nine RBI and is currently riding a seven-game hit streak.
Leyton Parmer, Cambridge Christian
Parmer struck out 13 in a five-inning win against Moore Haven last week, and was 2-for-3 with a triple, three runs and three RBI in a win against Sarasota Christian. The senior is hitting .355, with a team-leading 12 RBI, five doubles and 12 runs scored; he also has 30 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings pitched.
