- April 20, 2024
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Bailey Russell allowed one hit and struck out eight in 3.2 innings against Atlantic. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Starter Cainan Beazley allowed one earned run in two innings against Atlantic. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Pitcher Bailey Russell may not start all of his games this season, but that does not diminish the Matanzas senior's status as the Pirates’ ace.
Make that co-ace.
“Bailey and Jacob Cope, you can all them our No. 1 and No. 1A,” Matanzas coach Jim Perry said.
Russell made his first appearance of the season in the Pirates’ home opener on Feb. 23. The right-hander entered the game in the third and pitched 3.2 shutout innings in Matanzas’ 12-2 win over Atlantic. The game was shortened to 5.2 innings because of the 10-run rule.
Russell allowed one hit, struck out eight and walked two. Cainan Beazley started the game and gave up one earned run in two innings.
The FHSAA's pitch count rules have compelled coaches to become more creative with their pitching staffs. Pitchers age 17 and older are limited to 105 pitches in a game. Pitchers 15 to 16 are limited to 95 pitches.
By starting a reliever and relieving with a starter, a team increases its chances of keeping its top pitchers on the mound in the later innings. The strategy also helps protect the arms of all the pitchers.
“Sometimes it’s what you need to do. It will help keep my arm healthy, and if we can stay healthy, we can go far.”
BAILEY RUSSELL, Matanzas pitcher
“Sometimes it’s what you need to do,” said Russell, who threw just 59 pitches, 34 for strikes. “It will help keep my arm healthy, and if we can stay healthy, we can go far.”
Russell and Cope have played for Perry since they were freshmen in 2019. In that season, the Pirates’ JV coach quit and Perry wound up coaching both the varsity and JV teams with help from his assistants.
The JV team went 14-2 that year with Russell and Cope leading the pitching staff. Three years later, after their sophomore season was cut short by the pandemic and a 9-15 junior year, the seniors are hoping to turn back the clock.
“I’d say our core of four or five guys on that freshman team are with us,” Russell said. “We're looking to win district.”
The Pirates are in a new district this year with New Smyrna Beach, Ocala Vanguard, Belleview and Mainland. New Smyrna and Vanguard made the playoffs last season.
After scoring 29 runs in their first two games against Mainland and Atlantic, Matanzas had to go an extra inning in a 7-4 win at Patlaka on Feb. 24.
The Pirates scored three runs in the eighth inning with the help of a passed ball, a balk, an error and a wild pitch as Matanzas improved to 3-0. Cope made his season debut on the mound. Benjamin Apfelbach got the start and pitched three shutout innings.
Michael Martinez went 4 for 5 and scored two runs. Brady Novack went 3 for 4 with a double and walk.
While Matanzas has taken advantage of their opponents’ miscues, they have also pounded out 35 hits in their first three games. Martinez and Alex Ortiz each had two doubles against Atlantic.
“I’ve been very happy with our hitters,” Perry said after the Atlantic game. “When the (opposing) pitchers have been throwing it in the strike zone (we've) hit it pretty good.”
The Pirates will have a better gauge of their progress when they host rival Flagler Palm Coast at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 4.
“We're trying to get on a roll,” Russell said.
