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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/13/2022

Hit Factory Scratches Way To No. 1 Seed

Riley Sheppard     
Photo: William Burke (Perfect Game)
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A defensive and pitching duel did not phase Hit Factory Nationals 2024, who came away with a 1-0 victory over Ctg Sunday morning at the Florida Select Championship.

“Bats aren’t always going to be there, and sometimes you got to play a little small ball,” Hit Factory Coach Louis Sanchez said postgame. “Always gotta play really, really tight defense, and pitching has been outstanding all weekend.”



The previously mentioned outstanding pitching began with right-hander Alexander Sotiropoulos. All five outs in his 1 2/3 innings on the mound came courtesy of his mid-80s fastball, while also not allowing a hit and still being eligible to pitch again Monday.

Once Sotiropoulos reached his 30-pitch limit, Hit Factory went with another right-handed pitcher in Ruben Ledo.

Ledo, currently ranked as a top-70 right-handed pitcher in the state of Florida, struck out two in his 1 2/3 innings on the mound, while also staying under the 30-pitch limit. Sotiropoulos and Ledo certainly did their job on Sunday, and the bats did just enough to push Hit Factory through.

The lone run of the ballgame came with two outs in the bottom of the fourth.

After a fielder's choice and intentional walk, Hershey Sanchez found himself on second base with two outs as the go-ahead run.

With a favorable 3-1 count, William Burke did not hesitate, sending a single out to center field to drive in Sanchez.

“We didn’t do that much offensively, but I just want to give a shoutout to Burke, thank you Burke for getting that hit,” Jarel Garriga said postgame. “I love my team, they’re great ballplayers and it’s a great time here.”

Garriga took things over on the mound for the final 3 2/3 innings while allowing just one hit. During the top of the seventh, the Hit Factory coaches visited Garriga on the mound, but trusted him to finish what he started.

“I asked him if he wanted the ball, and he said, ‘Let me finish it, Coach’ and that’s just the kind of kid he is,” Sanchez said. “He’s a gritty ballplayer, he’s intense, and he just does a little bit of everything for us.”

Now the No. 1 seed in the 16u bracket at the Florida Select Championship and pitching left in the tank, Hit Factory is in a good spot on Monday. If the grittiness and intensity continues throughout the roster, they could be due for some hardware.
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