Team Florida Crowned First Ever High School Baseball National Champions
It was California vs. Florida in the inaugural High School Baseball National Championship game. The game was broadcasted on ESPNU to cap off a great week of baseball that was showcased by ESPN featuring all the games on ESPN+.
Team Florida took advantage of California’s mistakes on the way to a convincing victory, winning the game 8-1. Florida executed the small ball game all week long and continued that trend tonight. A few bunts were able to get the offense going, scoring the first run of the game with a safety squeeze bunt executed by DH Daniel Vassallo in the 4th inning, which was already their 4th bunt of the game. They were finally able to break through and extend their lead thanks to the bat of tournament MVP Tommy White. Tommy came through with a big 2-rbi double in the 5th inning over the head of California's 2nd baseman Trevor Tishenkel to widen Florida’s lead to 5-1. Florida never looked back from there, taking advantage of California blunders including committing 5 errors and allowing 9 walks.
The pitching for Florida was able to keep a powerful California offense at bay holding them to just one run. California had put up 24 runs in just 3 games coming into the championship. 3 Florida pitchers combined to complete the game--highlighted by Jacob Faulkner who pitched 4.1 innings without surrendering a single hit, leaving it open for teammate Chase Centela to finish off the 9th—which he did, facing 3 hitters and striking out all three.
What a week of baseball. Congratulations to Head Coach Greg Olsen and Team Florida on being crowned the first ever High School Baseball National Champions!!
