By Brett Nevitt on February 28th, 2019
The Tigers traveled down to Miami today to begin their season in the HSBN tournament. Jesuit's first matchup was the Warriors of Westminster Christian School. The Warriors were coming off 11-4 and 12-2 wins against Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop McCarthy in preseason play. It seemed the Tiger pitching staff would have some trouble on their hands, but Camden Minacci brought his best stuff on Thursday night, dominating the Warriors.
Minacci picked up right where he left off in the preseason with a dominant first regular season outing. The ace of the 2019 staff started his season with 10 strikeouts in just 4 innings. The righty gave up no hits, a walk, and no runs to go with the 10 K's on the night. So far this season, including his preseason outing, the Wake Forest commit has recorded 21 outs and 16 strikeouts, absolutely dominating hitters. If Minacci continues to throw strikes, he should be nearly untouchable this season at the top of the Tigers' pitching staff.
Offensively, it was a productive start to the 2019 season. The Tigers didn't put together any huge innings or crooked numbers on the score board, but they chipped away all through the night. Henry Politz got Jesuit started with a clutch 2-out RBI single in the first inning to drive in BJ Graham, who had reached base on a walk. Andrew Kynes led off the second with a single, before scoring on a botched bunt play by the Warriors' pitcher. Jonathan Shoop also scored later in the inning on another error by the pitcher, this time on an errant pick off attempt.
After two scoreless innings, Jalen Niles, running for C Bennett Lee, crossed the plate on a passed ball with two outs in the top of the fifth. The Tigers broke through in the top of the sixth after two walks put men on first and second for the Tigers. Malachi Woodside and Graham each came through with clutch RBI singles to extend the Tigers lead to six. In total, Jesuit produced 7 hits and walked 5 times on the night. Woodside led the way with 2 hits, including a double, while Graham and Kynes also reached base twice in the regular season opener. Politz (6'3 and a generous 230 pounds) reached base three times, shrugging off two hit by pitches.
Turner Thompson relieved Minacci in the fifth inning, working a 1-2-3 inning, including 2 K's. After Westminster's first hit of the night and a walk, Alex Bryant came in and shut down the rally with 3 straight strikeout's on 11 pitches. Josh Mallitz closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning. In total, the pitching staff only allowed 2 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 16 and not allowing a run. The Tigers' defense didn't have to do much tonight, only needing to field five outs, thanks to the dominant pitching.
Overall, it was a great start to the season for the Tigers who are looking to claim their fifth state title this season. The Tigers' pitching will be dominant all season long, and if the offense can do what they did tonight, in chipping away throughout the night, they will almost be unstoppable throughout the season. The Tigers are back at it tomorrow evening in Miami at 5 against Monsignor Pace.
FINAL: Jesuit 6-0 Westminster Christian