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Scouting Notes: Haverford School vs. Episcopal Academy

April 24, 2013

By Frank Cooney
Eastern PA Area Scout

Pat ValentineHoly Cross bound Pat Valentine was not just dominant in his outing against Episcopal Academy, he was very nearly perfect. The senior RHP came within an out of throwing a perfect game, before a two out error in the bottom of the sixth gave EA their first and only baserunner of the contest (the game lasted just six innings due to the ten run rule).  

The Fords offense provided Valentine with some early run support, scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. The Haverford table setters did their job, as Lehigh recruit OF Steve Fitzgerald drew a walk to load the bases with nobody out, following singles by 2014 Chris Sukonik (2-for-4, 2 R) and 2014 Steve Scornajenghi (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI). Once the table had been set, the middle of the order came through as well, with 2015 Kevin McGowan (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) and 2013 Drew Field (4-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) lacing RBI singles. The Fords would score two more first inning runs on a fielders choice and a sacrifice fly, and Valentine took over from there.  

Valentine retired the first 17 batters in order, striking out nine, including striking out five batters in a row throughout the fourth and fifth innings. Haverford would tack on five more runs, winning the Inter-AC matchup by a score of 10-0 in six innings.  

+ Valentine (Holy Cross) had command of all three of his pitches (FB, CB, SL) today. The 6-foot-2 righty throws from a high 3/4 arm slot with a loose and long arm action with extension. Valentine used a fastball that sat 83-85 with some armside run to compliment his 11/5 curveball (66-68 mph) and a devastating slider that showed hard snap and late break at 74-77 mph. Valentine recorded five strikeouts via the slider and induced 22 swings and misses on the day.  

Russ Rhoads+ Episcopal Academy 2014 RHP Russell Rhoads was the victim of a few seeing eye singles early in the contest, but looked like a promising prospect overall. The junior got up to 88 mph with his fastball which was sitting 85-87 on the day. Rhoads gets substantial sink and armside run on his fastball, leading to a plethora of grounders (of the 12 outs Rhoads recorded, four were strikeouts and seven were ground balls). Rhoads also displayed a 67-69 mph 11/5 breaking ball and an effective 74-76 mph changeup.  

+ Scornajenghi showed plus speed and a solid approach at the plate. The LH Junior hits from a square stance and drives hard through the zone off of his firm front leg, incorporating appropriate hip rotation and extension. He had a perfectly placed bunt single in his first at bat, barreled a fastball up to the right field fence, and laced a line-drive single up the middle in his final at bat. Scornajenghi had a home to first time of 4.23.

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