Coming off an impressive first win in Miami, the Tigers had a tough challenge against Monsignor Pace, Perfect Game's number 16 team in the nation. MP won the 2018 5A state title with a 10-4 win over Bolles, so it was good early season competition for Jesuit. Monsignor Pace showed early why they are ranked so highly, but the Tigers showed why they are a team to watch in 2019.
Jesuit got off to a tough start on the mound and in the field, due to some command issues and errors. MP scored 1 run in each the first and second innings, before breaking it open in the 3rd with 6 runs, 3 of which came on a home run by Miami commit and one of the top Juniors in the nation, Albert Hernandez. MP plated two more runs after the home run thanks to an error and a balk. After the top of the 3rd, the Tigers were down 8-0, and the game looked like it was all but over.
But Jesuit had other ideas, starting an improbable comeback by chipping away at the lead in the 3rd. Cole Russo drove in Jalen Niles, running for C Bennett Lee, to open the scoring for Jesuit. Henry Politz tacked on another run, driving in Joe Casale on a ground out.
The Jesuit relief pitchers did a great job to hold MP scoreless for the rest of the game, to give the offense a chance at a comeback. Tripp Russo worked 1.2 scoreless innings out of the pen, striking out two while allowing two baserunners. Dominic Castellano worked the 5th and 6th innings, only allowing 1 baserunner. Castellano was efficient in his two innings, throwing just 17 pitches and over 76% of them for strikes. If it wasn't for the effort of T. Russo and Castellano, the Tigers wouldn't of had a chance at a comeback.
Heading into the bottom of the sixth, Jesuit was down 8-2. Heading to the top of the 7th, Jesuit was leading 9-8. The Tigers made one of the most improbable comebacks in the 6th against one of the top teams in the nation. BJ Graham started the inning out with a single, before Jonathan Shoop walked. Brandon Incardona came through with a pinch hit double, scoring Graham. Lee then drove in Shoop with a single, and Incardona also came around on an error by the LF, to make it a 3-run ball game. The next three batters were HBP, HBP, and walked. Niles, running for Lee again, scored on the third walk. Andrew Kynes came up with the most clutch hit of the night, driving in the tying run with a two-run single to center field. After a walk, the bases were loaded once again for Malachi Woodside. Woodside beat out the throw to first on attempted double play by MP, and the Tigers had the lead.
Closer Josh Mallitz shut the door on MP, not allowing them to make a comeback of their own. Mallitz started the inning with 2 K's, before a walk and an error had the tying run and winning runs aboard. But the Ole Miss commit came through with one more strikeout to end the game. Jesuit showed their ability to hit and the depth of their lineup with the comeback, but most importantly they showed resilience and fight. Miguel Menendez's squad could've lied down and moved onto the next game, down 8 runs to the #16 team in the country, but they went to Miami with a point to prove.
The Tigers take on North Broward Prep today at noon again in Miami.
FINAL: Jesuit 9-8 Monsignor Pace