2/21/2016 5:46:09 PM
All three D1 programs that visited LakePoint this weekend wrapped up their series and hit the road. Eastern Michigan starts the year 3-1 after taking the rubber match against University of Nebraska Omaha. NJIT earned their first win of the year against Point University and Georgia Highlands won over St. Louis CC. In today's D3 action, LaGrange topped Wabash to complete their series sweep.
The standouts from today's action include:
So. 1B Zach McCrum, Georgia Highlands
A frequent mention in this blog, McCrum kept up his outstanding pace at the plate and tallied another three hits in Highlands' victory. He also delivered his sixth home run of the year, this one of the 400 foot variety over the left field wall. McCrum is beyond locked in at the plate right now, already doubling his homer total from last year, and continuing to see the ball well.
For 2/21's video of McCrum, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOp8UKwBzEM
So. LHP Daniel Gooden, Georgia Highlands
Gooden toed the rubber for his third start of the year for the Chargers and turned in his best outing to date. He still showed his loose, whippy arm action from a low three-quarter slot and plus arm speed. His fastball topped out at 90 with it's same sharp, arm-side life and held consistently in the 87-89 mph range. He showed improved control on the mound, despite bursts of wildness, he located well on both sides of the plate and benefited from his strong receiving catcher, Drew Davis. His slider showed sharp, sweeping action and worked in the mid 70's. He also showed a changeup that he flashed feel for at 78 mph with fade. Gooden was incredibly efficient on the mound only allowing one hit over six innings, holding the Archers of St. Louis CC scoreless.
Sr. RHP Luis Florentino, Point University
The 6-foot-4, 215 pound right-hander lived up to his listed height and weight on the mound with a strong lower half. He earned the start for the Skyhawks, working from a three-quarter arm slot with a very sharp downhill action and showed outstanding arm speed. He does not currently involve his lower half in his delivery, but still managed to run his fastball up to 89 mph with very heavy arm-side life. He struggled with his release point, hurting his command both arm and glove-side. The inconsistencies in his delivery hampered his fastball, causing its velocity to dip into the 83-85 mph range. He flashed a very tight breaking 11-5 curveball on the mound, but lacked present feel. Florentino is a very raw prospect on the mound, but he did stand out in Sunday's action.
For 2/21's video of Florentino, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miEuFABf8VA
So. RHP Sean Lubreski, NJIT
The Sophomore from North Plainfield, NJ started the game for NJIT and pitched a strong 5 1/3 innings allowing only one run. He worked from a three-quarter arm slot with a slight crouch of his upper half through his delivery. He landed sharply closed with a heel turn finish on a stiff front leg. He showed present arm speed and saw his fastball hit 89 mph with good arm-side run and ranged from 85-87 mph. He showed a loose breaking 11-5 curveball that lacked feel and sharpness. The 6-foot, 180 pound right-hander competed on the mound and earned NJIT their first win of the 2016 season.
For 2/21's video of Lubreski, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERirBDkmHzQ
So. RHP Brent Mattson, Eastern Michigan University
The very tall and lean, 6-foot-6, 190 pound Mattson pitched in relief for Eastern Michigan and tossed 2 2/3 innings on the mound. The very projectable Mattson pitched from a three-quarter arm slot and showed a very hard downhill, cross-fire delivery. His fastball worked consistently in the upper 80's, topping out at 89 mph with impressive arm-side life. The lanky right-hander lacks lower half incorporation and could show additional velocity with it. Mattson showed inconsistency in his release point at foot strike on the mound, hurting his ability to command his fastball. He was aggressive with it, challenging hitters up in the zone routinely. Mattson also worked in a 71 mph curveball with 11-5 shape that flashed tightness.
For 2/21's video of Mattson, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjJ04XHeJEE
Sr. OF Jackson Martin, Eastern Michigan University
Martin received a mention in the Friday edition of this blog, and receives a second mention for his Sunday performance launching a deep home run to left field. Martin's long limbs allow him to generate good extension. With his present strength and bat speed in his 6-foot-5, 220 pound frame, Martin drives the ball with ease, primarily pull side. The senior looks to build off of his strong opening weekend as the Eagles head down to Gainsville to take part in a mid-week series against the Gators.
So. RHP David Flattery, University of Nebraska Omaha
The Mavericks called on the 6-foot-3, 200 pound righty in relief of their rubber match against EMU. Coming in to a bases loaded, one out jam, Flattery delivered two big strikeouts to keep the Mavs in the game. The right-hander looks slightly taller than his listed height and uses it to his advantage on the mound. Featuring a three-quarter arm slot and sharp downhill action, Flattery attacked hitters aggressively inside with his fastball and changed eye level well with his curveball. His fastball worked 87-89 mph and topped out at 91 with good life. His 12-6 shaped curveball had very tight spin with good depth, and maintained arm speed well to aid in deception. Flattery showed very high levels of pitchibility on the mound with the knowledge of how to sequence and keep hitters off balance.
For 2/21's video of Flattery, please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ls5WIcoGYQ