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IMG Drops St. Pete 4-1

February 12, 2016

By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

Yesterday evening, IMG was able to take down St. Petersburg HS 4-1 at home in a game that was highlighted by quality pitching and timely hitting. The two arms who threw for the Ascenders did not walk a single batter and combined for eight strikeouts on the afternoon. Another noteworthy aspect of the game is that both pitchers are signed with division one schools while the offense was mostly supported by uncommitted seniors.

2016 RHP Greer Holston (Mississippi commit) looked comfortable on the mound as he showed an easy, repeatable delivery and pounded the zone with an 86-88 mph fastball and an advanced 72-75 mph curveball that broke two planes. Ian McEachern, another 2016 RHP, threw the last three innings for IMG and only gave up one run while striking out three. The Baylor commit sat 85-88 mph and spun a solid 70-73 mph curveball that would show some bite in the 72-73 mph range.

Offensively, uncommitted 2016 INF Andrew Flaherty woke everyone up in the bottom of third inning when he roped a loud double to deep right-center and later scored on a fielder’s choice. The very next inning, in the bottom of the fifth, uncommitted 2016 INF/OF Filip Smola led off the inning with a single and was then immediately driven in by uncommitted 2016 INF/OF Collier Rutledge who also smoked a deep triple in the gap. Rutledge was later able to score on an infield single by 2016 Notre Dame commit and OF, Tony Jones.

Uncommitted players stepping up for IMG is a good sign for them since—even though they still boast ten college commits—they do not have the same depth at the plate or on the mound as they did a year ago. The Ascenders may be a unit who steadily improves as the season progresses if they keep getting consistent pitching performances and a lineup that produces from one to nine.

Top Statistical Performers

IMG Academy
Greer Holston: 4 IP, 0 ER, 5 Ks
Ian McEachern: 3 IP, 1 ER, 3 Ks