Game Notes (CA): Poway v Cathedral Catholic

SAN DIEGO, CA. - San Diego high school baseball juggernauts the Poway Titans and Cathedral Catholic Dons faced off in a pivotal early season matchup in the Hilltop Tournament.  Multiple division one caliber ball players took the field and helped highlight an impressive overall showing. Poway attacked with an aggressive hitting approach and caught the Dons off guard in their first game of the season, defeating the Titans 9-3.

Poway Titans Game Notes:

The visiting Titans started senior left-hander Nick Salafia who attacked the zone with a three pitch mix and finished the day allowing 1 run in 4 innings en route to picking up the win. Listed at 6-foot-2 184-pounds the lefty projects well in an athletic frame and should garner college attention. He had a lot of success getting ahead with the fastball and burying off-speed pitches down in the zone. Junior outfielder and Cal-Berkley commit Trevor Tishenkel listed at 6-foot-1 180-pounds has a prototypical athletic college outfield frame and projects well with maturity. Fundamentally there is a lot to like about the swing, the barrell travels well through the zone, hands stay low and loaded and the lower half drives. However, it appears there may be some swing and miss to his game. Senior first baseman Kyle Nevin had a big day at the plate with two hits including a run scoring double in the gap. Listed at 6-foot-4 170-pounds with a lanky and wiry frame the Baylor University commit has big time projection and will benefit greatly with added strength and growth. The swing is free and easy and does not have many moving parts, projecting well at the next level. Junior third baseman Ivran Romero turned some heads with a strong lower half and fluid swing in a listed 5-foot-11 190-pounds frame. Showed power potential in a level swing plane but he struggled against off-speed pitches. Junior outfielder Jack Sanders continues to swing the bat well as he has now registered six hits in two games to start the season. Sanders approached each at bat with an aggressive hitting style that has given him early success and will be something to monitor as the season progresses and pitchers adjust. Senior outfielder Robbie Williams listed at 6-foot 175-pounds hit a ball off the wall on an 88 mph fastball and had a nice overall day at the plate thanks to a short compact swing.

Cathedral Catholic Game Notes:

The Dons started senior ace Jake Rons in the home opener, who is listed at 6-foot-2 180-pounds. Fluid and easy mechanics make for a “Johnny College” type pitcher in a prototypical pitchers frame. Fastball sat a 87-89 mph range and topped at 91 mph but was up in the zone far to often and attacked early and often by the Titan hitters. Rons featured a breaking ball in the 76-78 mph range with 12-6 action that showed good depth with swing and miss capability. Junior third baseman and Arizona commit Zavien Watson listed at 6-foot-2 210-pounds flashed a patient approach at the plate and punished two fastballs up in the zone. The barrell travels through the zone well and his hands are quick to the ball. Kept his hands inside well and showed the ability to hit to all fields. Flashed athleticism at third and made the necessary plays but the lack of arm strength may force a position change down the line. Senior catcher Mikie Welch listed at 6-foot-2 200-pounds put in some good at bats in a strong frame. Short and compact to the ball, the bat projects well at the catching position in the college game. Junior right-handed pitcher Nico Ryder was the first out of the pen and flashed potential in a 6-foot-4 195-pounds long and lanky frame. Fastball sat in the 85-87 range and featured a 12-6 curveball with good depth and command of the zone. Has the frame and arm action that projects well and will be a name to watch this season and next.