IMG Rolls Over Clearwater in Impressive Fashion

February 5, 2015

By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

CLEARWATER, FL- To open up Clearwater Central Catholic's preseason tournament, IMG Academy
took on the Clearwater Tornadoes. IMG had big expectations, with 15 of the 18 players on their roster
signed or committed to D1 schools, and they did not disappoint. Multiple scouts were in attendance to
watch IMG starting LHP Jason Groome, a 2016 grad who is committed to Vanderbilt, and multiple
position players.

After a few loud outs and a scoreless first inning for IMG. Groome wasted no time showcasing his
dominance as he struck out the side with a 91-94 MPH fastball, and struck out three more Clearwater
hitters in the second and third inning.

IMG's hits finally starting falling in the top of the fourth when 2015 grad and South Carolina signee LT
Tolbert roped a double to the right field wall and was later driven in on a sac fly by 2015 grad and
College of Charleston signee Chase Illig, to give IMG a 1-0 lead. Clearwater starting pitcher Garrison
Bryant (2016) gave a valiant effort and attacked the zone with three solid pitches, but IMG was
able to figure him out in the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Groome struck out two more
Tornadoes to cap off his great performance. Jason Groome went four innings with nine strikeouts, one
hit, and no runs allowed.

IMG exploded in the fifth with a leadoff double by North Carolina commit Austin Bates, who was then
driven in by FSU commit Nick Derr (2016). Derr was later driven in by Virginia signee Ryan Karstetter.
South Carolina signee Danny Blair scored the final run of the inning after he was walked in.
After a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning, IMG added another run when Nick Derr led off the inning
with a deep opposite field triple and was driven in by a Ryan Karstetter fielder's choice.
In the top of the seventh, IMG added its final two runs with a home run to left by 2016 grad Brett
Tivnan, who also closed out the game. IMG won 7-0 and was led by starting pitcher Jason Groome and
second baseman Nick Derr who went 4-for-4.

CLICK HERE for insider scouting notes on this game and more in the Florida Scout Blog.

Statistical Highlights
IMG                                                                    Clearwater
Jason Groome: 4 IP, 9 K's, 0 runs                          Garrison Bryant: 4 IP, 3 ER
Nick Derr: 4-4, triple, 1 SB                                    Seth Longland: 1-1, BB
Brett Tivnan: 1-2, 2-run HR

IMG Rolls Over Clearwater in Impressive Fashion

Related content