Prep Baseball Report

Florida Preseason Classic: Day 4 Recap


PBR Florida
PBR Florida Staff

Balls were flying on Thursday at the 2021 Florida Preseason Classic. Another star studded matchup was on hand with IMG Academy taking on American Heritage in game 1. 2022 Vandy commit Brandon Barriera got the start for American Heritage and came out with electric stuff. He sat 93-95 with the fastball from the left side and showed 3 above average pitches. Barriera was sharp through the first 2 innings but things unraveled in the 3rd.

2022 Ole Miss commit Jackson Ferris got the start for IMG. He sat 92-94 with the fastball with a swing and miss breaking ball. Ferris went 3 shutout innings with 4 strikeouts. 2022 FSU commit Davion Hickson followed Ferris sitting 91-94 with the fastball. He closed out the last 2 innings allowing 1 run with 3 strikeouts.

IMG got on the board in the second with an RBI double by Nate Selmont. IMG broke it open in the 3rd and 4th innings. Mississippi State commit James Wood hit a two-run homer to the opposite field followed by 2 more runs in the 3rd. In the 4th, Miami commit Elijah Green hit a solo homer. Green later homered for a second time that was 109 mph off the bat and traveled 433 feet. FAU commit Joseph Slattery jumped in on the home run parade as he hit a two-run homer of his own.

American Heritage was able to get on the board with an RBI double by Barry commit Tommy Ramos. IMG would go on to win this one 11-1.

Other Standouts

Ray Bermudez (American Heritage) - 2-3
Drew Gray (IMG) - 1-1, 2B, R, 2 BB


In the nightcap on Thursday, Central Pointe Christian took on John Carroll Catholic. 2021 Eastern Florida State commit Joseph Montalvo started for Central Pointe. He would go 5 shutout innings striking out 5 while sitting 89-91 with the fastball.

2021 Bethune-Cookman commit Marcos Gamboa started on the mound for John Carroll. He would go 3 innings allowing just 1 run with 3 strikeouts. Gamboa sat 88-90 mph with his fastball.

Offensively, Central Pointe struck first as FSU commit Edwin Arroyo hit a solo home run in the 3rd. Miami-Dade commit Jose Andara later singled in a run, followed by another RBI single from Carlos Cordero. Up 4-0 in the 5th, 2022 Elvin Figueroa doubled in 2 runs to give Central Pointe a 6-0 lead.

John Carroll was able to get on the board in the 6th as Florida commit Jay Allen launched a two-run homer that came off the bat at 106 mph. Central Pointe would go on to take this one 6-2.

Other Standouts

Grant Gilooly (JC) - 2-3
Braden Calise (JC) - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 K
Christian Febus (CCPA) - 1-3, 2B, R

The Preseason Classic continues on Friday with a big pitching matchup between two Florida commits, Andy Painter (Calvary Christian Academy) and Brandon Neely (Spruce Creek) followed by the night cap featuring Jesuit taking on Winter Haven. Follow us on Twitter @PBRFlorida for all the coverage of the 2021 FL Preseason Classic.