Prep Baseball Report

IMG Classic Day 1 Notebook


Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

This week, 16 teams from all over the country are competing in the annual IMG Classic which brings in some of the top draft prospects and high-end underclassmen to one venue. Throughout the entire week, we will cover not only some of the top Florida teams in attendance, but those out of state as well. Below are two game stories along with scout notes and video from the Countryside vs. Flanagan and Ottawa Hills (OH) vs IMG Academy matchups. 

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Flanagan vs Countryside

Flanagan pulled away early as their bats got to the Countryside pitching staff with big days at the plate coming from 2019 MIF Tyler Epstein (Flanagan HS, FL) and 2019 3B Edinson Renteria (Flanagan HS, FL)  who combined for four RBIs and four runs scored. The Flanagan Falcons received production up and down their lineup throughout the day, driving in key runs and taking advantage of a couple errors in the field. 2019 LHP Luis Moriyon (Flanagan HS, FL) was credited for the win and kept the Countryside lineup off-balance by keeping the ball low and away, throwing out of the low ¾ slot and creating a tough angle on hitters. Finding themselves down 10-0 in the top of the fifth, the Countryside Cougars finally broke through and scored two, as 2019 IF Steven Johnson (Countryside HS, FL) and 2018 IF Josh Strickland (Countryside HS, FL) delivered key hits to put them on the board but it wouldn’t be enough though as Flanagan defeated Countryside 11-4. The Falcons will face off against Calera HS, AL in the 10am game today.

Tyler Epstein, MIF, Flanagan HS, FL (2019)

Edinson Renteria, 3B, Flanagan HS, FL (2019)

Miguel Useche, C, Flanagan HS, FL (2019)

Josh Strickland, IF, Countryside HS, FL (2018)

IMG Academy vs Ottawa Hills (OH)

2018 RHP Levi Kelly (IMG Academy, FL) was dominant in his outing as the LSU recruit threw a No-Hitter (6 innings) while striking out 12 and walking only one in their 10-0 victory. The Ottawa Hills lineup simply had no answer for Kelly, who pitched with confidence and attacked the zone inning after inning, striking out the side in two of his six innings, and never allowing a runner to get into scoring position. He mostly featured a fastball that sat 91-93 mph throughout his time on the mound, up to 96 early while touching 94 multiple times later on in the game on the strikeout. Offensively, the Ascenders were led by 2018 IF Bryce Reagan and 2018 SS Blaze Alexander who combined for four RBIs and two runs scored. IMG Academy put the mercy rule into effect in the bottom of the sixth and defeated Ottawa Hills 10-0. The Ascenders will face off against Doral Academy, FL in the 1pm game today.

Levi Kelly, RHP, IMG Academy, FL (2018)

Blaze Alexander, SS, IMG Academy, FL (2018)

Bryce Reagan, MIF, IMG Academy, FL (2018)

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