Cardinal Newman Downs Royal Palm Beach 8-1
Last night (03/10) the Cardinal Newman Crusaders hosted the Royal Palm Beach Wildcats in a matchup that saw the home team put together a seven-run third inning which would prove to be more than enough as they defeated the visiting Wildcats 8-1.
The Crusaders received a solid start from 2020 LHP Dillon Moya who earned the win as he tossed five innings of one-run ball, giving up the lone run in the first inning before shutting down the Wildcats lineup the rest of the way. The Western Carolina commit racked up seven strikeouts and scattered three hits with two walks. Mostly pitched at 80-82 mph with his fastball early on that showed tailing action along with a 61-62 mph curveball.
Offensively, the Crusaders received production throughout their lineup, most notably from the uncommitted duo of 2022 1B Jack Bello who went 2-for-3 with a run, RBI and 2022 OF Roman Anthony who went 1-for-3 with a run scoring double. 2021 OF Christian Banks also made an impact on the scoreboard by going 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
2022 RHP Louis Paolillo came in for relief for the Crusaders and struck out two over two innings of work with a walk and a hit allowed. The uncommitted righty sat 82-83 mph with his fastball.
For the Wildcats, 2020 IF Solomon Masters drove in the only run on the night which was an RBI double that was laced down the left field line early in the game.
With the victory the Crusaders moved to 4-3 on the year while the Wildcats fell to 4-5.
Players of the Game
2022 OF Roman Anthony (Cardinal Newman HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds on a tall, athletic frame that really projects. Offensively he shows easy bat speed from the left side with a feel for the barrel. Stays balanced throughout and drives the ball gap-to-gap. Patient hitter who can impact the baseball with loud, hard contact when he squares it up. There’s gap-to-gap power come as he continues to fill out his frame with a high ceiling. Above average runner who takes long, athletic strides and runs smoothly. Defensively he plays center field and shows range to his left and right with a quick first step going back or coming in on the ball. Anthony is a very high follow not only inside the state of Florida, but nationally as well.
2022 1B Jack Bello (Cardinal Newman HS, FL)
Uncommitted. 6-foot, 185 pound frame with strength throughout. Physical lower half that generates power. Stood out offensively on the night where he went 2-for-3 which included a hard line drive single back up the middle. Above average bat speed from the right side and the hands are strong through the zone.
2020 IF Solomon Masters (Royal Palm Beach HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Tall, long frame with plenty of room to fill out at 6-foot-2, 165 pounds. Offensively, he creates leverage with his long limbs and displays quick hands through the zone. Drove in the only run for the Wildcats on the night when he laced a ball deep down the left field line for an RBI double. There’s more power to come as he fills out and projects for power potential.
2022 RHP Louis Paolillo (Cardinal Newman HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds with a strong lower half. Came in for relief where he sat 82-83 mph with fastball, staying low in the zone while mixing in a 67-68 mph curveball. Throws a high percentage of strikes, struck out two in two innings of work. Has been in the mid 80s previously.
2020 LHP Dillon Moya (Cardinal Newman HS, FL)
Western Carolina commit. Earned the win and settled in to have a solid outing after giving up an early run. Lean frame standing at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds. Mostly sat 80-82 mph with his fastball early on along with a 67-68 mph curveball that showed depth. Loose, easy arm action and there’s more in the tank. Throws lots of strikes.
