Game Recap: Mountain Ridge vs Brophy

Carson McEntire OF / C / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2023

6-foot-1 190 pounds, Oregon State commit, Carson McEntire starts 2022 off on the right note. The #4 overall ranked 2023 showed he is a mature hitter with plate discipline and barrel consistency. McEntire has a balanced setup at the plate, with bat speed and a swing that covers the zone. He showed he understands the strike zone, and doesn't miss his pitch when he gets it. His base running ability and speed was also on display, as he recorded 2 stolen bases and a 4.5 sec 90 time on a base hit with a turn. McEntire was in the leadoff spot for the Mountain Lions, and showed to be a presence in that spot that can provide instant offense. 

2-2 HR, 2 BB, 2 SB

Jace Smith RHP / 1B / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2022

6-foot-2 190 pounds, Grand Canyon commit, Jace Smith is the ace of the staff for the Mountain Lions, and he got the ball on Opening Day. 2 runs in the first inning was about the only threat the Brophy lineup was able to put together against Smith in this outing. He got in trouble in the 1st inning, walking 2 batters, and allowing runs via RBI 2B, and RBI ground out. After the first it was smooth sailing for Smith, turning in 5 innings of work, earning the win with 7 strike outs and no walks after the 1st inning. Smith did a great job of settling in after a tough start, he was able to find the command of his secondary options and keep hitters off balance with a 3 pitch mix. Smith has a strong build and an easy delivery. The FB topped at 91 mph this outing, sitting 87-90, BB was 70-72 mph and CH 78 mph. Smith's build and effort level with his delivery will allow him to work deep into games this year and be the true #1 Mountain Ridge needs. 

5 IP, W, 2 R, 7 K, 2 BB

Josh Wakefield OF / LHP / Mountain Ridge , AZ / 2022

6-foot 165 pounds, Josh Wakefield is a skilled and versatile uncommitted 2022 for Mountain Ridge that turned in an all around great performance on Opening Day. Wakefield impacted this game on both sides of the ball, recording two knocks, scoring a run, and pitching 2 scoreless innings in relief. Wakefield showed his gap to gap approach in the box today, as he was able to spray base hits in the 4-hole and 6-hole. Wakefield is a contact/line drive hitter that can run the bases. On the mound, Wakefield pitched a scoreless 6th and 7th inning to help the Mountain Lions earn their first W on the year. Brophy was threatening in the 6th, as they loaded the bases and Wakefield was able to induce an inning ending ground ball double play to get out of the jam. 

2-3, 2 singles, 1 K, 1 R

FB: 79-80 mph

CB: 64-67 mph

Cooper Neville SS / 2B / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2023

6-foot 175 pounds, GCU commit, Cooper Neville is another Mountain Lion that started the year on the right foot. Neville started the game at 2B and turned in a great offensive performance. Neville showed some pop in the bat today, squaring balls up in each of his at bats, resulting in a deep fly out to left center, double off the right field wall, and HR to deep left center. Neville showed in this matchup that he has the ability to let the ball travel, and get through those pitches on the outer half with true flight to the opposite field. Neville has athletic ability that stands out with some wiry strength, and seems the pop in the bat is becoming more consistent. 

2-3 2B, HR, 2 RBI

2B/SS Cooper Neville (MRHS, ‘23)

GCU commit, doubles off the wall to RF. Next at bat HR to deep left center. 3 quality at bats with hard contact.

2-3 2B, HR, 2RBI thus far
MRHS leads 5-2 going into the 7th@CooperNeville2@prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/A1cv50Idrc

— PBR Arizona (@PBRArizona) February 25, 2022

Zachary Yorke C / 1B / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2022

6-foot-1 255 pounds, GCU commit, we got our first look at transfer Zachary Yorke in a Mountain Ridge uniform in this matchup. Yorke has a large build with strength, and a definite hit tool. Yorke has a noticeable presence in the box, bat speed, a swing that covers the zone, and power to all parts of the field. Yorke square up two balls, one resulting in a fly ball caught at the CF wall, and a line drive base hit to RF driving in a run. He commanded the game well behind the plate, threw the ball well in between innings (1.96 pop), and blocking/receiving was clean as well. Yorke's glove work behind the plate is simple and strong, sticking balls and not moving pitches too much.  Yorke will be a big addition to this Mountain Ridge lineup.

1-3 RBI

Willie Cornejo-Farmer 1B / C / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2024

6-foot-2 195 pounds, Willie Cornejo-Farmer got his first start of the 2022 season on Opening Day hitting clean up and playing first base. Cornejo-Farmer has a large build with some strength and athleticism. We've seen an increase in athleticism over the last couple years, and Cornejo-Farmer has become an interesting prospect as a power hitting first basemen. Cornejo-Farmer has a simple swing, and when he makes contact the ball jumps off the bat. Cornejo-Farmer pushed the first run of the season across for the Broncos with a double down the left field line vs GCU commit Jace Smith. Farmer has shown the ability to hit high level arms at a young age, and produce consistent hard contact. Willie Cornejo-Farmer will be a high follow for us through the spring, excited to keep following. 

1-3 2B, RBI

JT Craig OF / 3B / Brophy College Preparatory, AZ / 2023

6-foot-1 185 pounds, JT Craig is an uncommitted 2023 prospect that we expect to make a big impact for this Brophy Broncos team in 2022. He possesses a strong and athletic build with speed and strength that translates to the baseball field. He'll carry a large role as a table setter and run producer for this Brophy offense, and expect him to drive in some runs pending production from the bottom of the Broncos lineup. Craig was able to drive a FB on the outer half of the plate hard off the right center wall, but was thrown out trying to advance to second. Craig will roam CF for the Broncos this year and be a leader in the clubhouse. Excited to follow his development and success through the 2022 season. 

1-3 1B