By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

The Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks (Ranked #4 in the HS Power 25) visited the Rockledge Raiders (Ranked #1 in the HS Power 25) for a chance to earn a trip to Fort Myers in the 6A Regional Final game which featured several highly ranked division 1 recruits on both sides. The Raiders would strike early with a run, but would be shut down the rest of the night behind some strong pitching. The visiting Mavericks would also get production up and down their lineup to eventually put away the home Raiders 8-1 and a shot to defend their title.

2019 LHP Yordani Carmona (Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL) started for the visiting Mavericks and after allowing a run early on, shut down the Raider lineup through his six innings on the mound. The FIU recruit sat 85-87 mph on his fastball that had some arm side run along with a 70-72 mph curveball that he threw for strikes throughout the night. The freshman constantly challenged the Raider lineup and showed good poise and control in a pivotal game.

 2017 RHP Johnny Leone (Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL) would come in for the seventh and shut the door on any kind of comeback in his one inning pitched. The uncommitted junior sat 84-86 mph with his fastball and touched 87 while mixing in a 65-67 mph curveball and 75-76 mph change up.

Leading the way for the Mavericks at the plate was 2017 OF Adan Fernandez (Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL) who made his presence felt all throughout the game. The uncommitted junior would drive in multiple runs on the night with four hits including two doubles deep into left field. The right fielder also showed a quick first step and range in the outfield with the ability to make the tough plays. On a foul ball hit deep down the right field and almost out of play, Fernandez found a way to get to the ball and make an unbelievable catch for a key out with runners on.

2017 3B Joe Perez (Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL) drove in two on a RBI single into the left-center gap while 2016 SS Kobe Lopez (Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL) would also chip in with an RBI line drive single down the left field line. 2017 OF AJ Hendricks (Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL) tripled.

Credited for the loss in the game, 2016 LHP Drew Parrish (Rockledge HS, FL) sat 87-89 mph with his fastball and mixed in a sharp curveball with good depth and shape at 72-74 mph along with a 76-78 mph change up.

2016 RHP Mason Studstill (Rockledge HS, FL) came in for relief where he sat 89-92 mph with his fastball while touching 93 once with a 76-77 mph curveball. The Miami recruit also doubled at the plate.