By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

LONG BEACH, CA—The 2016 Area Code Games for upperclassmen concluded Wednesday with five games. While most teams recycled arms from earlier in the event, the Brewers (Southern California) boasted their depth by rolling out several pitchers that were making their first appearance. High level pitching coupled with a tremendous lineup allowed them to go 5-0 at the event, capped with two wins on Wednesday.

The Brewers’ first game of the day was against the White Sox (Midwest), who had Johnny Wholestaff on the bump. Seven pitchers went an inning apiece and 15 batters made up the lineup. The three Brewers to pitch combined to throw a no-hitter while striking out 11. RHP Matthew Sauer (Righetti HS, CA) started and logged three innings, allowing just a walk and hit batter while striking out four. He pitches with an overhead windup and lands closed, throwing across his body with some effort. He gets arm-side life to his fastball, which ranged form 89-92 mph. His breaking ball is slurvy, a slider at 79-80 and he mixed another one in that was more like a curveball at 73-75. He also threw a changeup with fade at 80.

The most interesting arm of the day was LHP Sam Glick (El Toro HS, CA), a 6-foot-1, 175-pound southpaw committed to UCLA. Glick showed an easy, loose delivery with a high leg kick and high-3/4 slot. His fastball sat 85-88 and he threw strikes, setting down the White Sox in order in both innings. He struck out three and recorded his other three outs via groundouts. While Glick’s fastball velocity is modest now, it’s easy to see that he can add some down the road and his curveball was impressive. It sat 72-75 with sharp 1/7 shape and depth.

Closing out the game was RHP Zach Pettway (Wilson HS, CA), whose high school is across the street from Blair Field. He has a strong frame and pitches with effort and a choppy delivery, producing a fastball at 87-89. His breaking bally is slurvy with 10/4 shape and sits 74-75. He struck out four and walked one.

Here are some more highlights from that game and the rest of Wednesday’s action…