2016 NHSI: Fired-Up Flanagan Beats Poly Prep

CARY, N.C.—Poly Prep Country Day School came into the National High School Invitational with one of the more talented teams in the tournament, boasting Stanford commit Daniel Bakst and UConn-bound Anthony Prato as well as junior LSU commit Nicholas Storz, the 6-foot-6 righthander.

But two games in and the Brooklyn, N.Y., team is 0-2.

On Thursday, Flanagan High of Pembroke Pines, Fla., took it to the New Yorkers, playing with the fire and sass usually associated with folks from Poly Prep’s home borough.

Lefthander Dylan O’Connell, a 2016 Florida Atlantic commit, threw five solid innings, striking out five with a diving curveball and fastball that he got up to 90 mph, and batterymate Alex Hernandez was 3-for-3, hitting the ball hard each time and driving in a run.

O’Connell broke off several excellent curves, locking up batters with tight spin.

Coach Ray Evans knew the lefthander had the pitch before the game began.

“When we saw the breaker in the ‘pen, and saw the breaker out there, we knew he had feel for it,” Evans said. “We like to double up with it when he has feel for it, then try to get a fastball by somebody.”

O’Connell’s batterymate was involved in the play that brought the most excitement to the early-morning contest at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

On a rundown in the fifth as Poly Prep tried to rally, second baseman Tyler Wincig came home hard, putting an elbow to Hernandez’s chest protector. Wincig was out, but Hernandez came back with a shove, causing the benches to briefly empty before the coaches and umpires stepped in.

Wincig was ejected, but Hernandez was allowed to stay in and the next inning, ripped his second double of the game, scoring two runs and essentially salting away the game.

“He tried to barrel Alex, it was malicious contact,” Evans said of Wincig’s play. “(Alex) was probably surprised, but we’re not allowed to do that in high school. Both coaches contained everything and did a good job making sure nothing got out of hand.”

Hernandez pumped his fist against his chest several times after his big hit, but downplayed the significance of the gesture.

“I was just excited for everything that was going on in the game. That was a big moment,” he said.

Flanagan improved to 1-1 with the win.

Bakst was 1-for-4 although he hit the ball hard twice, and Storz, who was the DH, struck out, flied out and walked in three trips.