Jesuit Cruises to 11-1 Victory Over Tampa Catholic

The Jesuit Tigers defeated the Tampa Catholic Crusaders on Wednesday night  (2/19) by a score of 11-1 on a 10 run mercy rule after 5 innings. The Tigers were led by a strong performance on the mound from 2020 RHP Camden Minacci along with the timely hitting of 2020 C Bennett Lee to start the 3rd inning rally that crossed six. After jumping out to a commanding 6-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd, they wouldn’t look back. The Tampa Catholic lineup didn’t have an answer for 2020 RHP Camden Minacci as he kept the Crusaders hitless through three innings followed by 2020 RHP Josh Mallitz who threw two innings of one-run ball. 

The Jesuit power pitchers of Minacci and Mallitz kept the Crusaders in check for the entire 5 inning affair. A six run rally in the 3rd and a five run 5th gave the Tigers the mercy rule behind some loud doubles down the right field line by both 2021 OF BJ Graham and 2020 C Bennett Lee. The Crusaders were able to respond with a run in the top of the 4th but the damage was minimized with a timely strikeout by relief pitcher Josh Mallitz, stranding an additional runner at 3rd base.  

With the win, Jesuit moved to 2-0 on the year while Tampa Catholic fell to 0-1.

Standouts

2020 RHP Camden Minacci (Jesuit HS, FL)
The Wake Forest commit earned the win on Wednesday night, striking out multiple batters and allowing no runs in three innings of work. Fastball was mostly 90-92 mph, touching 93 along with an above average curveball that induced swings and misses. 

2020 C Bennett Lee (Jesuit HS, FL)
The Tulane commit made himself known early on in the game, driving in a run on a hard hit double down the right field line. Lee has a strong lower half and will be a big run producer for Jesuit this upcoming season. 

2020 RHP Josh Mallitz (Jesuit HS, FL)
The Ole Miss commit came in for relief where he featured a 90-91 mph fastball, putting away the Tampa Catholic lineup in order as he struck out the side in his first inning of work. Tall frame with a quick arm that has more to come. 

2021 OF BJ Graham (Jesuit HS, FL)
The uncommitted outfielder displayed a quick bat from the left side as he drove a ball down the right field line for a two-run double late in the game. Above average runner on the base paths.