NHSI: Day 3 Notebook
March 29, 2014
By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor
Normally a four-day event, the 2014 USA Baseball National High School Invitational concluded on Friday after the schedule was adjusted in hopes of getting all games in before a front filled with rain swept through the area. It worked out as the skies didn’t open up until Friday evening during the final consolation game, which never had to take a break in the action. The First Academy rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to claim the NHSI title, preventing Clovis HS from keeping the trophy in California. Below are some highlights from the final day’s action.
Bishop Verot HS (FL) 11, Huntsville HS (AL) 0
Bishop Verot lost in the opening round to Mountain Pointe HS, AZ, but steamrolled the competition the rest of the tournament, outscoring opponents 23-4 in three games. They lacked star power, but a team full of Division I caliber players is just as dangerous and the Vikings had just that.
ThunderRidge HS (CO) 3, Venice HS (FL) 0
Considered one of the contenders to win the NHSI, Venice didn’t perform up to expectations this week, going 2-2 while scoring just seven runs in four games. SS Dalton Guthrie (Florida) has a skinny frame, but there’s room to add strength and he has loose actions with flexibility. He went 5-for-11 in four games, employing a short, line-drive swing. He has simple swing mechanics, simply lifting his front heel and setting it down has he takes a direct path to the ball. C Michael Rivera (Florida) will generally be passed over by scouts because of his frame. He’s listed at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, but could be a tick shorter and heavier. He has a stocky frame with thick lower half. However, he consistently finds the barrel and hit balls hard throughout the tournament. He hits from an upright stance and varies between a leg kick and simple, short stride.