Patriots Move On to Regional Final with Dominant 12-1 Victory

Last night the Lake Brantley Patriots hosted the Hagerty Huskies in a regional semifinal matchup that saw the home team firing on all cylinders offensively with the game eventually ending in a mercy rule after 6 innings as they won 12-1. 2021 RHP Connor Hensley was dominant on the mound and earned the win as he finished the day with 7 K’s on 4 hits surrendered in six innings pitched.

Lake Brantley got off to a blazing start, quickly putting up four runs on the board through the combination of a ground out, sac fly, and a bases loaded walk.

The Huskies would anwer back in the top of the third, scoring on a passed ball, making the score 4-1. 

In the bottom of the fifth though, Lake Brantley opened up a scoring surge started off by 2021 SS Maverick Stallings lacing a ball into center field for a two run RBI Single. 2022 OF/INF Evan Griffis would then hit a fly ball into right field to drive in another run, followed by 2022 INF Connor Fosnow roping a ball into center field for an RBI single of his own. 2024 C Michael Kalinich capped off the five run inning with a deep RBI sac fly into left field to make the score 9-1. In the bottom of the sixth Evan Griffis ended the game with a three run moonshot over the left-field wall.

2021 RHP Connor Hensley started for Lake Brantley and would earn the win in the mercy rule shortened game. Displayed a fastball that sat 87-90 mph while mixing in a 76-78 mph changeup. 

With the win the Patriots will move on to play Spruce Creek in the FHSAA 7A Region 1 Final.

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 Connor Hensley (Lake Brantley HS, FL)
The St. Johns River State College commit had another dominant outing for the Patriots, finishing with over 70% of his pitches being strikes 7 K’s, 4 hits surrendered, and earned the win in just 6 innings pitched. Hensley’s fastball sat 87-90 mph and he showed good feel with a 76-78 mph changeup that created plenty of swings and misses. Attacked the opposing lineup and really started to get in a groove in the later innings.

2022 OF/INF Evan Griffis (Lake Brantley HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Griffis finished at the plate going 3-4 with 4 RBIs and a home run to close out the game. Has a great feel for finding the barrel of the bat consistently and creating loud, hard hits. Present pull side power. At this pace Griffis wont stay uncommitted for long.

2024 LHP/OF Talan Bell (Hagerty HS, FL)
Came in for relief in the second inning and immediately produced results. Bell had a fastball sitting 85-88 mph with life, touching 89 multiple times while mixing in a 74-76 mph curveball with depth. The ball really jumps out of his hand with a loose, quick, easy working arm. Generates lots of swings and misses. The Florida State commit finished with 6 Ks on 3 hits surrendered in three innings of work. Very strong national follow.

2021 SS Maverick Stallings (Lake Brantley HS, FL)
Stallings finished at the plate going 2-3 with 3 RBIs and scored two runs as well. Showed great patience at the plate. Drove in two runs with an RBI single laced into center field in the fifth inning.