Game 1

Crew Athletics (11) vs. Placentia Mustangs (1)

Crew Athletics showed up early and scored often. Mustangs starter, ’20 Alex Howard deserved a better fate in what turned out to be a disastrous first inning. The Mustangs could not overcome the numerous defensive miscues, making its way through several relievers. To Crew’s credit they capitalized and took advantage of a solid pitching outing from ’22 Jontae Hennesey, RHP. Hennesey is a true athlete with tremendous life in his body and a high ceiling. Offensively, Crew Athletics swung the bat well, including Hennesey. Catcher, ’22 Preston Lucas continued to impress with instincts for the position and solid at bats.

’22 Jontae Hennessey, RHP
Hennesey is an athletic player with a projectable frame and high ceiling. On the mound. he threw from a 3/4 slot with loose easy arm action, sitting comfortably at 81. The fastball had consistent sink and opposing hitters pounded it into the ground. He fielded his position well pouncing on a number of topped ground balls out in front of the mound. At the plate, he maintains an aggressive approach with some whip in his bat, doubling late in the game to left centerfield.

’22 Preston Lucas, C
Lucas is a baseball player. He caught and played first base, performing at both positions. He showed instincts for the catching position, directing the pitcher as well as the defense. He has reliable block and recovery skills and accurate throwing arm. He consistently picked balls in the dirt at first base as well. at the plate, he showed plate discipline with minimal swing and miss from the left side. He made quality contact on several occasions with a compact swing. With weight and strength gains it is easy to see him behind the plate at the next level with some low end value in ability to play multiple positions.

Game 2

Crew Athletics (8) vs. SN Tribe (9)

In one of the better games of the limited series, the Tribe and Crew Athletics were tied at the end of seven innings of play, 8-8. The Tribe employed the use of the entire staff, marching out nearly a pitcher an inning in the extra inning affair until courtesy of a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth, plating the game winning run. Offensively, the Tribe was led by Christian Rivero, ’19 Kyle Turner (CSN), Garrett Giles, and ’21 Dominik Tavares with multiple hit games. The athletics were equally up to the task with strong offensive performances from ’22 Royce Vandiine, ’21 Kyle Parkman, ’22 Jontae Hennessey, and ’22 Preston Lucas. 

’22 Royce Vandiine, Catcher
Stocky, 5-foot-10 195, Vandine has a sturdy frame with present strength. He made on line throws to second base with a good exchange and efficient footwork. Pop times will be enhanced with advances in arm strength, agility and quickness. At the plate, he swings a confident bat and showed the ability to drive the ball to all fields.  Vandine can handle the bat with a chance to hit for average and sneaky power. Keep an eye on this backstop with changes to his youthful body composition and natural maturation, he could become an everyday player at the next level.

'21 Dominik Tavares, SS

Small Frame, Tavares is a slick fielding middle infielder. His quick exchange and footwork provide the ability to play on the left side. Weight and strength gains should provide the ability to stay there. He is an aggressive bat handler with an ability to use the short game and steal a base when necessary. Presently a defender first, his confidence and competitiveness will make him a productive member of the lineup.

 

 

Game 3

Las Vegas Aces (7) vs. SN Baseball (4)

The Aces and SN Baseball were in. a seesaw battle for five innings, finding themselves knotted 4-4. In the bottom of the sixth, the Aces were able to capitalize on some defensive miscues to plate three runs and take a 7-4 lead. SN Baseball challenged in the top of the 7^th, bringing the tying run to the plate in the when RHP, Layton Walls was lifted for’20 Colton Zobrist, RHP. Zobrist recorded the final out of the inning to earn the save. Offensively, the Aces were led by ’19 Josh Sharman (UNLV) and ’20 Colton Zobrist with two hits each. ’18 Jimmy Gamboa had a big double off the right centerfield wall in the midst of the 3-run sixth. Aces starter, ’22 Tyler Stott was an intriguing young right hander with a bright future. Stott pitched comfortably with his fastball 81-84, topping at 85. His battery mate, '21 Dylan Dirg was equally intriguing and is reaping the rewards of consistent playing time. SN Baseball’s uncommitted, ’20 Ethan Stephens is a projectable left-handed hitting catcher with plenty of upside as well. Uncommitted left-handed pitcher, ’19 Austin Raleigh pitched with a fastball 84-88 with a 69-72 curveball. There was some effort to the delivery and the velocity had a tendency to be up and down but there is plenty to work with. 

’22 Tyler Stott, RHP

Long levered, 6-foot-3 175, Stott has a projectable frame with square shoulders and plenty of room for weight and strength gains. He throws from an overhand slot with frequent downhill plane and arm side life. His fastball ranged 81-85. He has the makings of a future rotation starter with the ability to rely on plane and life. Although, he presently throws a breaking ball with occasional cut type action it is easy to see a future slider out pitch. He maintains feel for a changeup with occasional sink. Stott is a high ceiling multiple sport athlete that will likely find his services in high demand.

’21 Dylan Dirig, C

Sturdy, 5-foot-11 170, Dirig is making huge strides this summer as an everyday backstop. He received the ball well with solid block and recovery skills. He showed adequate arm strength in chasing base stealers as well as turning a home to first double play. At the plate, Dirig is coming into his own with consistent work he is making consistent hard contact, showing strength in his barrel. He appears to have the confidence of his staff, who regularly buried two strike breaking balls. 

’20 Ethan Stephens

Lean, 6-foot-4, 175, Stephens has a projectable frame with plenty of room for weight and strength gains. He is a developing backstop with projectable left-handed power and all the makings of a frontline receiver.  He made on target throws and showed solid decision making on throws to the plate. He is a high reward type player.

'19 Austin Raleigh, LHP

6-foot-2 205, Raleigh is an uncommitted left hander pitching with a fastball that mostly ranged 84-88. He displayed a slurvy breaking ball with depth and occasional bite, 69-72. There is the makings of a changeup with arm side run but he pitched primarily with two pitches.

Game 4

MGF Marshalls (11) vs. Las Vegas Patriots (1)

The Marshall improved to 5-0 and will face the Las Vegas Aces in the Championship of the inaugural PBR Limited Series mid-summer Classic.  The Patriots struck first plating a run in the top of the first inning but the Marshalls would fail to yield another run.  The Marshall answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first and with the exception of the third would score in every other inning of the run-rule shortened affair, defeating the Patriots 11-1 in six. The Marshall’s ’19 Sean Rimmer (BYU), ’19 Nathan Manning (Cal), and Colton McIntosh (Arizona) collected multiple hits with Manning scoring 4 runs on a perfect 3-3 evening.