Game 1 vs. Alabama: Recap
July 30, 2020
Team Nevada starts off the Junior Future Games with a tough loss to a talented Alabama group, but is looking to bounce back for Game 2 vs. Missouri/Kansas. After taking an early lead in the first inning, Alabama strung together a handful of quality at-bats that ultimately lead to a six run inning to take the lead back. A high volume of walks would ultimately be the demise of Team Nevada for Game 1, but the Nevada group did have a handful of quality performances in the opening game of the tournament.
Southisene got things started early for Team Nevada with a lead off walk after a quality at-bat. He then went on to steal second base, putting himself in scoring position for the heart of the order to get him in and eventually scored on a bases load walk to Connor Apeceche. The 5-foot-3, 120 pound middle infielder plays with a chip on his shoulder and carries a quiet confidence throughout is game with the clean actions he put on display during yesterday’s workout after putting on a mature round of batting practice that showcased his ability to spray that ball to all fields with excellent barrel awareness. This will be a guy to keep an eye on throughout the duration of the Junior Future Games and beyond as he continues to develop physically.
Young registered the only hit of the day for Team Nevada with a single up the middle to lead off the fourth inning. In his first at bat of the day, he earned a walk, but was ultimately stranded on second base. Kekoa may have a had the most impressive round of batting practice yesterday during the team workout with present power to both gaps and an ability to go down and get the ball down in the zone. Starting in a mostly upright stance, he uses a hovering leg kick as a timing mechanism that gets down on time to let his barrel clear. He then showcases his comfort around the bag during the defensive portion of the workout and translate that into todays game with an run saving pick at first base on across the infield.
Castro was the opening game starter for Team Nevada running his fastball up to 78 mph while sitting 75-77 mph during his only inning of work. He paired his fastball with a breaking ball that hovered in the range of 63-65 mph. He was not able to make out of the first inning after allowing a number of walks that ran his pitch count up. Though he did have some trouble finding the zone, his arm action and delivery did remain consistent throughout his outing.
Southisene was able to come into relieve Castro to get out of the bottom of the first inning working mostly with his fastball that sat at 77-78 mph. After finishing the first inning, he was able to get through the next two innings allowing four additional runs during that time. Defensively, he looked at home in centerfield ranging to a fly ball in the right-center gap then turning to attempt to throw out a runner at the plate that was tagging from third that slid in safe around the tag. At the plate, he had on e the best swings of the day, driving a ball to right field that was tracked down by an excellent catch made by the Alabama right fielder.
Farrer was one of the biggest surprises of the day, squaring up a ball to centerfield in his first at bat after producing a line drive fill round of batting practice at yesterday’s workout. He followed up his first AB with an excellent play in centerfield, getting twisted around with the ever changing winds, making a basket catch over his left shoulder on a well hit ball by Team Alabama. Farrer is a player to keep an eye on as he continues to gain confidence throughout his game that has come together at a rapid pace over recent months.
Game 2 will take place at 2:45 EST (11:45 PST) vs. Team Missouri/Kansas where the boys are looking to bounce back after a tough first game. Tune in live on the Playsight Live Stream (https://lakepointsports.com/lakepoint-live/).
Related content