2023 Preseason Classic: Day 3 Recap
February 16, 2023
The 2023 PBR FL Preseason Classic continued Wednesday, February 15th at Lawnwood Sports Complex in Fort Pierce, FL. Wednesday started with a matchup of Georgia Premier Academy vs Doral Academy at 4:00 and IMG Academy vs Miami Springs at 7:00.
Game 5
Game 5 of the 2023 Preseason Classic featured Georgia Premier and Doral Academy in the afternoon game on Wednesday. On the mound for Georgia Premier was Mississippi State recruit Mikhai Grant. Grant ran his fastball up to 95 on the day. He managed three shutout innings with six walks and four strikeouts.
Mikhai Grant ‘23 (FL) athletic 6-foot-4 215 lb frame. Works short/quick out of the glove w/ a quick arm
— Cayden Hatcher (@C_Hatcher_PBR) February 16, 2023
Swing/miss at times on the elevated heater, up to 95 mph
FB: 91-94 T95 ?
SL: 81-83
CH: 84-85@HailStateBB recruit #PBRPreseasonClassic @premier_sox || @PBRFlorida pic.twitter.com/Q6i8Dg4t2u
On the other side, Florida recruit Frank Menendez started for Doral. The lefty was up to 92 in three shutout innings. He struck out two and allowed three hits.
Frank Menendez ‘23 (FL) came out sitting low 90s w/ the heater showing sink and cut paired w/ two breaking balls.
— Cayden Hatcher (@C_Hatcher_PBR) February 16, 2023
6’2” 205 lb. southpaw
FB: 88-92
SL: 77-81
CB: 69-70@GatorsBB recruit#PBRPreseasonClassic @PBRFlorida || @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/BoGE1QEty6
It was a scoreless game until the 4th when Georgia Premier struck first. Uncommitted senior Amir Streeter drove a double to left to bring the first run of the game home. Georgia Premier added one more in the 5th on a RBI single from Georgia recruit Tre Phelps.
Amir Streeter ‘23 (GA) - OF@premier_sox @PBR_Uncommitted
— Rocco Iervasi Jr. (@rocco_iervasi) February 15, 2023
Physical frame with bat speed. Streeter finds barrel out front to drive a RBI double to left.#PBRPreseasonClassic@PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/tWluguyfEz
Freshman RJ Cope came in relief for Georgia Premier with three shutout innings of his own. Tysen Benford closed things out, striking out two in the 7th.
High upside look at ‘26 RJ Cope (GA) who was up to 90 early on with a big 6’6” 210 frame.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) February 15, 2023
Shorter upper 70s SL with upside.
Still growing into long frame. Must follow moving forward…#PBRPreseasonClassic || @PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/xOEVHQnzWK
Doral offensively was held to just two hits. Out of the pen was uncommitted senior Pedro Acosta who ran his fastball up to 91.
Georgia Premier would defeat Doral Academy 2-0.
Game 6
The nightcap on Wednesday was a matchup of IMG Academy vs Miami Springs. Top LHP in the country Cam Johnson started for IMG and was electric. Four shutout innings allowing no hits with eight strikeouts, including seven straight. He ran his fastball up to 97 on the night.
Cameron Johnson ‘23 (FL) top LHP in the country was perfect in his 4 IP racking up 8 K’s while not allowing a base runner….?⚡️
— Cayden Hatcher (@C_Hatcher_PBR) February 16, 2023
80% strike percentage
FB: 94-97 (2600+) ???
SL: 79-81@LSUbaseball recruit #PBRPreseasonClassic || #MLBDraft @PBRFlorida || @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/hg6Vwnf8Ny
For Miami Springs, Miami recruit Brandon Olivera got the start. Up to 94 from the right side, he went 3.2 innings allowing three runs while striking out eight.
Brandon Olivera ‘23 (FL) showed very well last night w/ a 4 pitch mix picking up 8 K’s in 3.2 IP
— Cayden Hatcher (@C_Hatcher_PBR) February 16, 2023
Rhythm throughout w/ all 4 pitches showing distinct movement
FB: 90-94
CB: 76-78
SL: 83-84
CH: 85-88@CanesBaseball recruit#PBRPreseasonClassic@PBRFlorida || @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/0fu2t7kFrI
After three scoreless innings, IMG got the scoring started with a 5 spot in the 4th. Stone Russell started with an RBI single and later scored on a Sean Gamble single. Josh Campbell and Zion Rose added two more RBI singles to go up 5-0 in the 4th.
Indiana recruit Ryan Rushing came in relief for IMG. The left-hander was up to 91 and threw two scoreless innings.
Ryan Rushing ‘23 (FL) came out of the pen pounding the K zone w/ the heater sitting at 90 w/ 21” of IVB.
— Cayden Hatcher (@C_Hatcher_PBR) February 16, 2023
PBR Future Games Alum had 3 K’s in 2 IP.
FB: 89-91 (2409)
CB: 77-78 (2866)@IndianaBase recruit#PBRPreseasonClassic@PBRFlorida || @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/Ae2nkiArkA
IMG Academy would go on to win 6-0 while holding Miami Springs to just one hit.
Follow us on Twitter @PBRFlorida for all the coverage of the 2023 FL Preseason Classic.