Fivay Defeats Nature Coast Tech in Wild Comeback Win

In what started out as a pitcher’s duel turned into a wild comeback win for Fivay HS as they put together a five-run sixth inning with some clutch hits, defeating visiting Nature Coast Tech 5-2. Dozens of scouts were in attendance as starters 2018 LHP JP Gates (Nature Coast Tech, FL) and 2018 RHP Gunnar Hoglund (Fivay HS, FL) toed the rubber and showed early on and throughout the game why they are regarded as some of the top arms in their class.

Hoglund sat 90-93 mph, touching 94 with his fastball early on before settling in and pitching at 90-91, reaching back and touching 92 when he needed it. The Mississippi recruit also flashed a 76-77 mph curveball with depth, along with an 81-82 mph changeup and a 78-80 mph slider that showed sweeping action. Hoglund would go unscathed through the first four innings, racking up multiple strikeouts each inning before he got into some trouble in the fifth. After getting the first out, he gave up a single which was followed by an RBI triple deep into the left-center field gap off the bat of JP Gates, giving them a 1-0 lead. Following Gates’ RBI triple, a sacrifice fly scored Gates, giving them a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth. That would end the night for Hoglund, who finished with nine strikeouts.

Gates was equally if not more impressive on the mound as the Miami recruit was locked in and in control through the first five innings as the Fivay lineup simply had no answer for him. He mostly sat 88-90 mph with his fastball, working the corners of the plate while also mixing in a 82-83 mph changeup and 76-78 mph curveball with hard break. After racking up 10 strikeouts and with a 2-0 lead, Gates took the mound for the bottom of the sixth looking to continue to his dominant performance. The Fivay lineup would have other ideas though.

After a couple of walks, 2018 OF Tyler Derner (Fivay HS, FL) stepped to the plate and laced a key two run double down the left line line scoring both runners and tying it up 2-2. Hoglund was then intentionally walked, bringing up 2018 OF Thomas Delfel (Fivay HS, FL) who then delivered the go-ahead RBI single, giving them the first lead of the night at 3-2. A passed ball followed by a fielder’s choice plated two more runs for Fivay, giving them a 5-2 lead heading to the top of the 7th.

Nature Coast Tech would threaten with the first two batters reaching via a walk, but the next two batters would strike out and a pick-off at first base ended the game, preserving the 5-2 victory for Fivay HS.

Scout Notes (Sign in to see all videos and notes)

Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Fivay HS, FL (2018)
Mississippi recruit. Tall, lean, athletic frame standing at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. Quick arm throwing out of the high ¾ slot. Repeats well and creates some downward tilt. Featured a fastball that sat 90-93 mph early on, touching 94 before settling in at pitching at 90-91 for the rest of his time on the mound, reaching back for a 92 when he needed it. Also mixed in a 76-77 mph curveball with depth, an 81-82 mph changeup, and a 78-80 mph slider that showed sweeping action. Struck out nine in his 4.1 innings. Ball jumps on the batter. At times can fall off to the side, causing the ball to tail out of the zone. Held his velocity throughout and the arm works. Still room to add to the frame.