Frieda Dominates as Creekside Takes Down Spruce Creek 5-1
Last night the Spruce Creek Hawks visited the Creekside Knights in a matchup of high-end arms as 2021 RHP Brandon Neely of Spruce Creek HS (Florida commit) faced off against 2021 RHP Colby Frieda of Creekside HS (Kentucky commit) that would eventually end with the home team coming out on top 5-1.
Aside from the one run that Frieda would allow in the top of the 2nd, the Kentucky commit was lights out and allowed only two hits on the night while striking out six against a tough lineup. Featured a fastball early on that sat 91-93 mph before settling in and pitching 89-92 the rest of the way, reaching back when he needed it. Also showed a feel for his breaking ball throughout his outing which not only generated swings and misses, but weak contact as well. Frieda seemed to be locked in all throughout his outing and challenged each hitter in the opposing lineup. He would exit after firing six strong innings, ultimately ending up with the win.
2022 IF Chris Romano (Creekside HS, FL) was really the spark for the Knights offense on the night as he went 3-for-4 with two runs scored out of the leadoff spot which included a triple in his first at-bat that got the offense going. 2021 C Bryce Brindle and 2024 C Carson McFarlin would also chip in offensively, driving in a run each for the Knights. The Knights also took advantage of an error late in the game which pushed across a pair of additional runs.
While 2021 RHP Brandon Neely took the loss for the Hawks, the Florida commit showed plenty of upside on the mound, running his fastball up to 94 mph early on. Mostly sat 89-93 throughout his outing while mixing in a hard slider at 80-81 mph. Neely also collected one of the two hits on the night as 2021 OF/RHP Chase Dunlap (UMass commit) was responsible for the other one in the form of a double.
With the victory the Creekside Knights moved to 14-8 on the year while the Spruce Creek Hawks fell to 18-6.
Below are some of the top performers with a few notes on their impact during the game. Please give us a follow on our social media platforms listed below as we post content with highlights, clips, and announcements on past and upcoming events.
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Top Performers
2021 RHP Colby Frieda (Creekside HS, FL)
Kentucky commit. Tall frame standing at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds with present strength throughout. Frame still projects to add physicality. Works out of a simple windup with a big leg kick before his delivery. Quick arm, looks to work down in the zone. Featured a fastball that sat 91-93 mph with run early on before settling in and pitching at 89-92 the rest of the way and reaching back when he needed it. Also mixed in an above average 76-78 mph curveball that showed he showed a feel for, generating swings and misses while throwing it for strikes along with an 82-83 mph changeup. Pounded the zone. Gave up a run early on but then was pretty dominant the rest of his outing. Finished with six strikeouts, scattered two hits, and walked one in six innings. Frieda will continue to be a strong follow leading up to July.
2022 IF Chris Romano (Creekside HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds on a lean, athletic frame. Stood out offensively on the night as the leadoff batter went 3-for-4, scoring two runs. Quick hands from the right side, above average runner. In his first at-bat of the game he roped a ball deep into right field for a triple. More to fill out in his frame which should translate to additional power.
2021 RHP Brandon Neely (Spruce Creek HS, FL)
Florida commit. Currently stands at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds on a tall, strong frame. Repeats well and works out of a quicker pace. Displayed a fastball that sat 90-93 mph, touching 94 early on before settling it at 89-91, reaching back and touching 92 on a few strikeouts. Also mixed in a 79-81 mph hard slider, 82-83 mph changeup. Didn’t have his best stuff early on, but was able to grind it out and throw a pair of scoreless innings in the 3rd and 4th before exiting in the 5th inning. Will continue to be a strong follow leading up to the draft.
