Garcia's Dominate Performane Keeps Doral's hot Start Rolling
March 6, 2019
No 5 Doral came into Tuesday’s match up after dominating the opening week, with wins against Cardinal Gibbon, Cypress Bay and American Heritage-Plantation. The Firebirds faced a talented Belen Jesuit team who came into the season ranked No 23 and were facing the No 37 overall prospect in Florida, FIU recruit Alejandro Torres.
Torres came out and dominated early. With a large, strong frame, he has a presence on the mound. Worked mostly 88-91 touching 93 mph with his fastball, he struck out four through the first two innings. He showed a feel for a curveball which he threw anywhere from 70-79 mph that had late action and depth.
Santa Fe recruit Mario Garcia would get the start for Doral and would match Torres step for step and then some for the entire day. While Garcia did not have the high level velocity, he showed advanced feel to pitch. Working 81-86 mph with his fastball, he located down in the zone to both sides of the plate with occasional arm side run. He also mixed in an above average curveball at 70-72 mph with depth.
Doral would break the tie in the fourth, starting with a leadoff hit batsmen, a pair of wild pitches and a ground out from Nicolas Pitelli. The Firebirds would extend their lead in the fifth with a leadoff double from Dominic Pitelli, who would be driven in by Adrian Figueroa. Figueroa would later extend the lead to 3-0 on an error.
Uncommitted 2020 SS Dominic Pitelli has really stood out today. Functional, athletic actions at SS. Compact swing, on the barrel both ABs and oppo 2B here with 2 strikes. @HSDoral pic.twitter.com/VCcOAr0zFq
— Doug Freeman (@DougFreemanPBR) March 5, 2019
Belen would finally get to Garcia in the seventh, after he would finish with 6.1 innings pitched allowing no runs on five hits and striking out 10, with back to back singles.Ronny Medina would come in relief and induce a double play to seal the win for Doral.