VERO BEACH, FL--If you're a top-ranked pitcher, beware of Spruce Creek. At the 2020 Florida Preseason Classic, the Hawks had no trouble handling RHPs Alejandro Rosario and Victor Mederos. Their latest victim was RHP Andy Painter (Calvary Christian Academy, FL), No. 14 on the PBR Draft Board.

Spruce Creek got him for two runs in the first as OF Corey Robinson led off with a single and came home on a double by 2B Dalton Hurst. RHP/1B Preston Wetherell made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly to left.

Painter, who was 93-96 with his fastball, went to his slider in the second inning and got a couple strikeouts. The curveball was backing up on him some in the first and he was struggling to throw it for strikes. The slider was sharper with later break. He also showed feel for a changeup at 84-86 that showed sink at times.

However, Painter walked two in the third and Wetherell tagged a cutter to deep LF for a three-run home run. Painter exited after three innings and Spruce Creek went on to score seven in the fourth and walked off with the mercy rule on a sac fly in the fifth.

RHP Brandon Neely started for the Hawks and went four innings, allowing a hit and walk while striking out four. He sat 89-93 with life to the fastball and mixed in a 76-79 slider and 84 changeup.