By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

In the second 5A semifinal game, the Monsignor Edward Pace Spartans took on the Bishop Moore Hornets in a matchup that saw only one run come across the plate in the top of the sixth on a passed ball. Both starting pitchers put together strong outings as they refused to let the opposing lineup get to them. The Spartans would come away with the 1-0 victory and advance to the 5A State Championship Game.

2016 RHP Chris Rodriguez (Monsignor Pace HS, FL) was almost untouchable in his outing as he threw a shutout, allowing only two hits on the day. The Jacksonville recruit sat 90-92 mph with his fastball while touching 93 mph multiple times along with an 80-83 mph slider and 75-76 mph curveball. Rodriguez mixed it up well and started to really use his slider late in the game on his way to seven strikeouts. Along with only giving up two hits on the day, Rodriguez’s fastball was still sitting 90-91 mph into the seventh inning and touched 92 mph on one of his last pitches. 2016 3B/SS Jorge Arenas (Monsignor Pace HS, FL) went 1-for-2 on the day and showed some quick hands at the plate with a hard line drive single up the middle.

On the Hornets side, 2017 RHP Josh Bates (Bishop Moore HS, FL) also turned in a strong outing in which he only gave up one hit in his five innings pitched to go along with five strikeouts. The uncommitted junior worked quickly and sat 83-85 mph with his fastball along with a 72-73 mph curveball with depth. 2016 OF Rigsby Mosley (Bishop Moore HS, FL) went 1-for-3 on the day and showed some good first step quickness in the outfield when he was able to make a sliding catch in right field to rob the batter of an extra base hit.

With the victory, the Monsignor Edward Pace Spartans will take on Bolles HS in the 5A State Championship game.