East Wake Academy  8 Bear Grass Charter  6

5/17/24

An exciting match up between East Wake Academy and Bear Grass Charter in the 1A east. The winner would be advancing to the Eastern Regional Finals. East Wake Academy got on the board in the first behind a Dylan Palmer rbi groundout. Brayden Taylor led off the game for Bear Grass Charter with a triple followed up by an RBI single by Hayden Willoughby. Bear Grass scored again in the bottom of the second, 3 errors by EWA pitchers followed by a Michael Gurganus single that gave them a 2-1 lead. In the 5th a walk by Taylor and a sac fly by Willoughby put Bear Grass up 4-1.Headed to the top of the 6th East Wake Academy put 2 on the board following a dropped fly ball with 2 outs. Bear Grass followed that up by scoring two of their own, RBI singles by Colton Cook and Nate Gurganus gave Bear Grass Charter a 6-3 headed into the 7th.

Bear Grass Charter Michael Gurganus was taken out following his 6 Inning 4H 14K performance. East Wake Academy started off the 7th HBP, walk and a single, loading the bases. Jordan Fuentes got the scoring started with a RBI single to right field, Tanner Robertson followed it up with a sac fly to CF.  Roy Morgan tied the game with a deep fly ball to center making it tied 6-6. Will Connolly delivered the big blow with a 2 RBI double down the LF line. In the bottom half Bear Grass made it interesting, loading the bases in the last inning. Will Connolly struck out the final batter to seal the game for East Wake Academy 8-6. 

East Wake Academy Stats

+ Jordan Fuentes 3-4 2R 1 RBI

+ Will Connolly 2-4 2RBI 1 2B

+ Dylan Palmer 1-3 2R 1RBI 2SB

+ Tanner Robertson- 2IP 2H 2R 2ER 5BB 4K

+ Jordan Driver- 2IP 3H 2R 2ER 2BB 1K

+ Will Connolly W 1.1IP 0H 0R 0ER 4BB 2K

Bear Grass Charter Stats

+ Brayden Taylor 1-3 1R 1 3B 1RBI

+ Hayden Willoughby 2-4 2RBI

+ Dawson Gardner 2-3 2R

+ Michael Gurganus 6IP 4H 3R 1ER 1BB 14K

SCOUT BLOG

Michael Gurganus, RHP, Bear Grass Charter, 2025

A simple impressive performance as Gurganus attacked hitters and kept them off balance all night. Gurganus uses a simple rhythmic delivery with some length on the back arm swing. The fastball ranged 82-86 topping 87 in the first with life up in the zone. Mixing two breaking balls in a curve ball up to 73 with depth playing well off his fastball, the slider a little firmer up to 76 has similar action just a bit firmer. Changing slots occasionally showing a change up ranging 74-76. One of the best strike throwers in his class Gurganus has a bright future ahead.

Will Connolly, RHP, East Wake Academy, 2026

A slight frame fast twitch athlete, Connolly showed impressive stuff during his outing. Connolly at his best ranged 84-88 and was electric when in the zone. An impressive sweeping breaking ball ranged between 70-74 , however, had a hard time locating it in the zone during this outing. Repeating the delivery will be the next big step as he learns to get his stuff in the zone more.

Owen Schmidt, INF/OF, East Wake Academy, 2024

A physical athlete who played both INF/OF during the game. A very good feel for the barrel with the ability to stay inside the ball. The swing is well timed and has good balance. An arm exaggerated load helps enables the swing to create leverage.