By Central Florida Area Scout

Altamonte Springs, FL-Exciting matchup from first pitch to last, Brantley was able to hold off a seventh inning comeback by the Apopka Blue Darters turning an unorthodox 9-3 double play to end the game, stranding the tying Darter run at third sealing a 5-4 win for Lake Brantley.

The stands were packed for this Friday night district matchup showcasing two top tier programs. Per usual, a plethora of athleticism and young talent were on display for both ball clubs. Apopka sent 2017 left hander Cade Davenport to the hill while Brantley started lefty 2018 Jack Quayle opposite Davenport. Davenport used a 78-80 mph fastball and 68 mph curveball effectively in his 3.1 innings of work. He navigated a tough lineup scattering 2 hits and striking out 7 before being relieved by RHP Caleb Stallings. Brantley's starter, Jack Quayle matched up well with Davenport as the projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound lefty kept pace striking out 6 and allowing 1 earned run through three innings pitched. Quayle kept the bats at bay mixing in quality offspeed offerings around a low 80s fastball while effectively controlling Apopka's running game.

After both teams went to the bullpens, Brantley clung to a 2-1 lead through four innings. 2019 RHP Rese Brown was terrific in relief for the Patriots. The uncommitted Sophomore attacked hitters with an explosive 85-88 mph fastball and swing and miss slider at 75-78 mph that gave the Apopka hitters fits all night. Large frame with broad shoulders and a lower ¾ slot, the right handed pitcher should be firmly on the recruiting radar going into his junior summer.

For Apopka, eight of the nine hitters in the lineup recorded a hit on the night, led by interesting prospects Donavan Lynch and Alex Otero. Both uncommitted 2018’s recorded a single and a double. Lynch is a raw hitter with exciting bat speed and athleticism, while Otero is a strong, big bodied right handed hitter with some serious juice and plate discipline.

Apopka out hit Brantley ten to seven, but four of the seven base hits for the Patriots were of the extra base variety. St. Leo recruit Riley Wash impressed both behind and at the plate. He recorded three RBIs on the night, hitting an opposite field double and homerun to left. He also caught a runner stealing on a perfectly executed pitch out, in game pop was 1.95. The catcher keeps getting better as his body matures. His flexibility, arm strength and hands all work very well behind the plate, now it seems that the bat is catching up to the defense. Alabama recruit Logan Keller also had a good night at the plate for the Patriots collecting two knocks on the night and scoring twice. His quick twitch, athleticism and power potential will be attractive to scouts as we approach the draft in a couple years. Similar to Keller, 2018 Nick Wells is a player to keep an eye on. The speedy outfielder displayed his hit and run tools on a triple that was laced into the left-center field gap. Wells has a quick right handed stroke with a good bat path and speed.

It's very apparent that the Brantley lineup is very dangerous. They feature a speedy Jalen Young as the table setter, Florida recruit Isaac Nunez, UCF commit Bernardo Griffin, Nick Wells and Alabama recruit Logan Keller in the middle of the order. Catcher Riley Wash and pesky 2019 switch-hitter Alec Makarewicz offer plenty of protection for the middle bats as well. Should be fun to follow this lineup as we go deeper into the high school season.

 

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