The Tigers had their last tune-up game in preseason action against Wiregrass Ranch on Friday night at Hyer Family Park, and picked up another W. AJ Karabenick got the start for the Tigers for his first varsity action of his career. Karabenick made a quick impact, striking out three batters in the first, while only allowing one single. Karabenick ended up tossing 3 scoreless innings and all 9 of his outs came by way of the K. Karabenick allowed only 3 batters to reach base in the three innings as well, a good way to start out his varsity career.
Offensively, the Tigers struggled for most of the night, but Andrew Kynes and Malachi Woodside led the way . After hitting a two-out double, Kynes scored on a bases-loaded walk by Malachi Woodside in the second. In the fifth inning, Henry Politz started a two-out rally with a single, before Joe Casale walked, and Kynes drove in courtesy runner Cam Alvarez with a clutch 2-out single on the first pitch of his AB. Woodside brought in Brandon Incardona on an RBI-single in the bottom of the sixth to give the Tigers a 3-run lead, but Alvarez added onto that lead with an RBI-double, which made it a 4-0 ballgame. The Tigers tallied 7 hits and 4 walks on the night, while only striking out three times. Both teams played clean games in the field, as WR had 2 errors and the Tigers had zero on the night.
It was an easy night for the Tigers defensively due to the fact Jesuit pitchers struck out 16 batters on the night. The Tigers defense only had to account for 7 outs on the night. Other pitchers who chipped in on the effort were Tripp Russo and Dominic Castellano, both making their varsity debuts. Russo threw 2 innings of scoreless ball while only allowing 1 baserunner and striking out 3. Castellano pitched one scoreless inning, while striking up two and giving up just one hit. Josh Mallitz closed out the game for the Tigers with a 1-2-3 inning, including 2 K's. The Tigers' pitching staff combined to allow zero earned runs in the two preseason match ups.
Jesuit will now travel down south to Miami next week for their season opening tournament. The Tigers will first face off with Westminster Christian on Thursday at 8:00 PM before taking on Monsignor Pace on Friday at 5:00 PM. The rest of the Tigers' schedule in the tournament will be based off results, make sure to check back on this website for updates.
Final: Jesuit 4-0 Wiregrass Ranch