By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

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Tampa, FL – In the 9A regional final matchup, the Timber Creek Wolves visited the Alonso Ravens for a chance to advance to the Final Four in Fort Myers, FL, next week for a shot at the state title. For most of the game, both lineups struggled to get anything going as 2017 LHP Jordan Butler (Alonso HS, FL) and 2018 RHP Bret Neilan (Timber Creek HS, FL) were locked in and worked with a quick pace, shutting out each lineup through the first five innings.

Still deadlocked at 0-0, the Wolves came to bat in the top of the sixth and put the pressure on Butler with three straight singles to begin the inning. Neilan then stepped to the plate and delivered a key two-run single into the right-center field gap. Timber Creek tacked on another run with a sacrifice fly to give them a 3-0 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth, which proved to be all that Neilan needed to finish things off. After retiring the side in order in the bottom of the sixth, Neilan struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh, throwing a complete game shutout and giving the Wolves the 3-0 victory.

Neilan impressed on the mound as the uncommitted junior featured a fastball that was 88-89 mph early before settling in at 85-88, touching an occasional 89 when he reached back for a strike. He also displayed a 77-79 mph slider that had some depth and bite to it along with a 74-76 mph changeup. Neilan has a tall, projectable frame with long legs and seemed unfazed by the environment as he went after the Ravens lineup, mixing up his pitches well and keeping them off-balance. He finished with seven strikeouts, scattered three hits, and walked three. By earning the win, Neilan moved to 14-0 in 14 appearances and lowered his ERA to 0.83 on the season.

Stats

Timber Creek
B. Neilan: (W) 7 IP, 7 Ks, 3 Hs, 3 BBs and 1-3, 2 RBIs
A. Ruiz: 1-4, R
C. Meehan: 1-4, R
N. Ruhl: 1-2, R

Alonso
J Butler: (L) 6 IP, 4 Ks, 3 Rs, 4 Hs, 4 BBs