May 10 - 12 saw PBR host the 1st of what will be an annual event, the Academy World Series.  Eight of the top High School Academy Teams were on hand for pool play followed by a single elimination tournament.  Pro5 Academy, out of Holly Springs, NC represented the state well, making a charge to the championship game.  Below is a recap of the week that was for Pro5.

Pro5's Academy World Series

Event Preview for Pro5 Academy

• Summary listing of the top seniors and underclassman
• Players to watch included Tyler Driver and Ronald Evans
• Pro5 Academy Preview Link
  

Day 1: Pro5 vs. MVP Academy

Game Recap
Pro5 -- 4        MVP Academy -- 3

In a matchup between two strike-throwing lefties, Pro5 Academy pulled out the victory over MVP Baseball Academy in walk-off fashion by a score of 4-3. LHPs Worrell (Pro5) and Bastardo (MVP) battled it out all game long. Worrell, a class of 2019 USC Upstate commit, was sitting 82-84 MPH and touched 85 MPH a few times. He showed good command of his running fastball and slow, but effective breaking ball that stayed between 70-72 MPH. Worrell was missing MVP barrels until the 6th inning, when MVP Shortstop Jose Rodriguez lined a lead off base hit up the middle. The toolsy shortstop Rodriguez single started a 3-run inning for MVP that tied the game, before the eventual walk-off sac fly in the bottom of the 7th for Pro5.

 
Day 2: Pro5 takes on Elite Squad and Elev8

Game Recap
Pro5 -- 4         Elite Squad Academy -- 2

Pro5 jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Will Hood scored on a throw to second. After Elite Squad tied it in the bottom of the second, C.J. Martin gave Pro5 the lead with a two-run single. Sebastian Bentz would keep the game close for Elite Squad, striking out eight in four innings of work. Pro5 would add another run in the sixth with an RBI single by Christian Baker. Leon Paulino doubled off of the right field wall in the sixth to cut the lead down to two. Jackson Sobocinski went the distance for Pro5, allowing only four hits and striking out ten.

 
Game Recap
Pro5 -- 5       Elev8 Academy -- 1

In the first round of pool play at the 2019 Academy World Series, Pro5 Baseball Academy defeated Elev8 Academy by a score of 5-1. The pitching matchup featured 2020 UCF commit, Ben Vespi going for Elev8 and 2020 Uncommitted Zane Taylor for Pro5. Zane Taylor went the distance throwing all 7 innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits with a whopping 10 Ks. His fastball was sitting at 82-84 mph. He also added a front-door curveball that worked nicely to collect swings and misses. On the other side, Vespi came out throwing heat. He sat 88-91 with his fastball and mixed in a 77-82 mph changeup with a 67 mph curve. Vespi is tall with an athletic frame and has a bright future ahead of him. Offensively for Pro 5, UNC-Wilmington commit, Ronald Evans led the way. He smoked a triple in the first inning and later singled. Evans has a strong, athletic build and showed off his strong arm at 3rd base. Charleston Southern commit, C.J. Martin and USC-Upstate commit, Sawyer Worrell both added extra-base hits to Pro5’s hit total. For Elev8, 2021 Uncommitted Joseph Phan had a nice day in the field and collected a couple hits. 2019 Uncommitted Sam Cornelius recorded Elev8’s only RBI. Pro5 will play tomorrow against the winner of IMG Performance and P27 Academy. 

Day 3: Semifinals and Championship Games

 
Game Recap
Pro5 -- 3       IMG Performance -- 2

The second round of pool play at the Academy World Series saw Pro5 Academy defeat IMG Performance 3-2 in walk-off fashion. In the bottom of the 7th, UNC Wilmington commit, Ronald Evans knocked in the game winning run with a single to the right-center gap. Pro5’s starting pitcher, Charlotte commit, Tyler Driver came up with a stellar outing on the mound. The athletic right-hander threw 6 strong innings, allowing 2 runs while recording 9 strikeouts. Driver featured an 87-89 mph fastball with some arm-side run. He also showed an 83 mph slider with a 78-80 mph changeup. IMG sent out Tennessee commit, Corbin Morrison. Morrison did not have great command with his pitches and only lasted 2 ⅓ innings, walking 5 batters. NYU commit, Michael Santorum came in relief and helped settle things down for IMG. Offensively, Earlham U commit, Benino Mendella continued his scorching day for IMG. Mendella launched a solo homer to left in the 3rd inning. For Pro5, Charleston Southern commit, C.J. Martin showed off his defensive skills behind the plate. Martin threw out one runner trying to steal second and another on a back pick to first. Pro5 moves on to the championship game and will take on the winner of TNXL Academy and MVP Academy.

Game Recap
TNXL Academy -- 2       Pro5 Academy -- 1

Rain Shortened Game
The championship game featured TNXL Academy against Pro5 Academy from North Carolina. Unfortunately, the weather decided to play a role in how things went down. As agreed upon prior to the game, the game would count as final where it stood if any weather came into play. After jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first from a wild pitch, Kyle Larsen would hit a sacrifice fly in the second giving TNXL an early 2-0 lead. Pro5 would answer back in the second as a Leiner single would score Baker, but Pro5 would strand runners on second and third to end the inning. The weather came in the bottom of the third and the game was called a 2-1 win for TNXL Academy.
Academy World Series Superlatives
Several players from Pro5 received honors and recognition for their work during the Academy World Series. Ronald Evans was named the Tournament MVP.  Jackson Sobocinski, joined Evans on the All-Tournament Team.

+ Top Seniors
+ Top Underclassman
+ All-Tournament Team