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By Mark Andrick
PBR NE Scout

PBR New England is eagerly anticipating bringing the New England states the best high school coverage throughout the region.

We will have the 2016 Scout Blog, Spotlight Games, Inside the Recruitment Articles, Unsigned Senior Spotlights, The Recruiting Trail, All-State Selections, Full Coverage of the State Tournaments as well as numerous other articles throughout the spring.

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To view the full list of 2016 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2016 spring season visit the 2016 New England Scout Blog by clicking here.

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PBR New England Spotlight Game: Medford vs Austin Prep

A five run 4th inning for the Austin Prep Cougars proved too much for the Mustangs of Medford, as the home team came out on top 6-2.

The big hit of the inning was a two-run double by senior center fielder Dan Monagle.

Senior RHP Andrew Deroche went the distance allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and only one walk. Sophomore LHP Harry Welch took the loss, lasting three plus innings for Medford, allowing all six of the Cougars runs (five earned) before being replaced by senior first baseman Max Porrazzo.

Ultimately, Austin Prep played a cleaner game, making two errors to Medford’s four and received four walks.

 

Austin Prep got on the board first in their half of the 1st inning.

With two outs, sophomore catcher Peter Burns walked and stole second. Senior first baseman Chris Gagnon followed with a single to left, scoring Burns and giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

Medford would come right back the following inning when Deroche briefly lost control of the strike zone. After he set the side down in order in the first, sophomore DH Gino Desimone singled and got to second on a throwing error. Deroche then hit junior left fielder Mike Center before senior right fielder Brian White singled to load the bases.

Next, junior catcher Nick Rath was also hit, driving in the run that tied the score. Sophomore shortstop Ryan Donahue was next and he reached on a fielder’s choice that brought home Center to give Medford the 2-1 lead.

 

After a couple fast moving innings, Austin Prep busted loose in the 4th.

Junior third baseman Patrick Burke was hit by a Welch pitch to start the inning. Sophomore Ryan DiNapoli pinch-ran and moved to second on a single by freshman second baseman Jonathan Gilbride. Next batter, sophomore shortstop Logan Bravo ripped a single to center, scoring DiNapoli to tie the game.

A balk moved the runners to second and third before Monagle doubled to the gap, giving the Cougars the 4-2 lead.

Burns then hit a long fly ball to center that was misplayed, putting runners again on second and third. Gagnon would follow with his second RBI of the game after his sacrifice fly to left, plating Monagle.

Burns would come in to score a batter later when senior right fielder Andrew Gerety reached on another error by the outfield, capping the scoring for the day at 6-2.

 

Deroche ran into some trouble in the 7th but was able to get a game ending double-play for the complete game victory.

He was in control for the majority of the day, at times over matching hitters with an excellent curve ball.

On the other side Welch showed some signs of success with a very good curve ball of his own, but was unable to locate his fastball well enough to keep it away from the bats of Austin Prep.