Two MLB Draft Arms Face-Off, #2 Douglas defeats Bishop Verot 4-0

Went over to Stoneman Douglas on day 2 of my South Florida trip. The Eagles were taking on The Bishop Verot Vikings from Fort Myers. This matchup saw 2 potential MLB Draft arms go head to head, Christian Rodriguez for Douglas and Aidan Knaak for Bishop Verot. Rodriguez worked a clean 1-2-3 top half of the 1st, striking out 2.

‘23 Christian Rodriguez lived up to the hype. The @GatorsBB commit was up to 95 in the 2nd, sat 92-94.

Lots of swing & miss on the SL (78-80, 2415)

Had hitters uncomfortable in the box all night

Struck out 14 over 6.2 innings ? #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/XaWbnnvdJD

— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 5, 2023

For the Eagles Alex Rodriguez led off with a single but Knaak quickly erased the threat getting a double play and a pop up to end the inning.

Aidan Knaak (@ClemsonBaseball) commit continues to show + stuff. Up to 94 tonight, sat 91-92.

Advanced feel for CH

Went 5 innings against a very tough Stoneman Douglas lineup pic.twitter.com/9s1kWh9lVG

— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 5, 2023

After striking out 2 more in the 2nd inning, Rodriguez then helped himself out by leading off the bottom half with a home run to give Douglas a 1-0 lead. 

CF angle of Christian Rodriguez HR last night

Finished 3-3 on the night while also striking out 14 on the mound

Sound On ? #PitchersWhoRake || #PBRBombSquad pic.twitter.com/BC5GwrLXCY

— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 5, 2023

Verot got their first hit of the game, when Owen Rardin singled but that was all the Vikings could get going in the 3rd, as Rodriguez continued his trend of striking out 2 per inning. Erick Torres led off the 3rd for Douglas with a double but Knaak worked around it, getting 3 quick outs to follow. Rodriguez struck out 3 more in the 4th, working around a 2-out single from Maddix Simpson. Once again helping himself out, Rodriguez doubled to lead off the bottom of the 4th. 

‘23 Christian Rodriguez continues to stay hot. Goes #PBRBombSquad? in his 1st AB then follows it up with a 2B in his 2nd #PitchersWhoRake pic.twitter.com/vfW3PNuFVW

— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 4, 2023

Niko Benestad would then single to score Rodriguez and extend the Douglas lead. Back to back singles from Gavin Gargiulo and Dillon Moquin would add another run to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead heading to the 5th. Alex Rodriguez would triple to lead off the bottom half of the 5th. 

Alex Rodriguez ‘24 - OF

Stand-up triple for the @UCF_Baseball commit

Jumps on the 1st pitch. Driving it to deep RF, then flys around the bases

6.35 runner ?? pic.twitter.com/UCNzt2AWss

— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 5, 2023

Devin Fitz-Gerald would follow the triple up with a 2 strike RBI single to push the lead to 4. 

Devin Fitz-Gerald ‘24 - SS

The @NCStateBaseball recruit shows advanced feel in the box

Adjusts with 2Ks and singles to RF to drive in a run

Making an impact on defense at SS as well pic.twitter.com/gLyMfqZSqO

— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 5, 2023

Rodriguez would finish his outing with 2 strikeouts in the 6th and 2 in the 7th, on his way to 14 over 6.2 innings.

Final

Bishop Verot - 0

Stoneman Douglas - 4

WP: Christian Rodriguez 6.2 IP, 14Ks, 0R

Top Performers: 

Bishop Verot

Owen Rardin 2-3 

Maddix Simpson 1-3

Andrew Hanlon 1-2

Stoneman Douglas

Alex Rodriguez 2-3 3B

Devin Fitz-Gerald 1-3 RBI

Christian Rodriguez 3-3 HR 2B

Niko Benestad 1-3 RBI

Dillon Moquin 1-3 RBI