By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

Plant City was able to ride the back of their ace to a 6-1 victory over Riverview last night. 2016 RHP Billy McKay—a Florida commit—went six strong innings and kept the Shark offense off balance for practically his entire outing as he only gave up one run and struck out four.

The Raiders were able to jump on the board with two tuns in the bottom of the first inning when they took advantage of a few walks and a single by C Matt Moclair (2016).

After a scoreless second and third, Plant City was able to put Riverview away as they put up a four spot between the fourth and fifth innings. The two runs in the fourth came with two outs as OF Cory Cotnoir (2016) came through with a single, and one of the runs in the fifth inning was driven in by McKay as he was able to help himself out with a base hit of his own.

The lone run for the Sharks came in the top of the sixth when 2016 South Florida commit Anthony Gonnella drove a backside double deep into the left field corner and scored 2017 South Florida commit Freddy Tarnok. Gonnella was virtually the only player in Riverview’s lineup who had McKay’s number as he had two hits and reached base three times.

In the seventh, 2016 RHP Jarrett Joyner came in and closed the door for the Raiders as he retired their three hitters in order with a heavy 88 mph fastball and solid off speed that he was able to throw for strikes.

Top Statistical Performances

Plant City                                                                   Riverview
Billy McKay: 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 Ks                                 Anthony Gonnella: 2-2, 2B, BB, RBI
Cory Cotnoir: 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBIs                            Matthew Yates: 3 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 Ks