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Tournaments  | Story  | 7/29/2023

3n2 Sticks Undefeated In Summer Finale

Riley Sheppard     
FORT Myers, FLA - 3n2 Sticks Baseball 18U National have made the most of their final summer together, competing in seven tournaments since late-May. 

“It’s been a long summer and mostly 2023’s,” Sticks head coach Jeff Sullivan said. “So it’s all their last tournaments in their Perfect Game career and they want to end with a championship, obviously.



“They’ve played since Memorial Day, won two tournaments, a couple Final Fours, so they want to finish up strong.”

Now entering their final days together as a team, the Wilbraham, Massachusetts, based club has continued the momentum at the 18U Florida Summer Select - posting an undefeated record through their first three games. 

But entering their final matchup of pool play, Sticks faced off against a fellow 2-0 team in Blackjack Baseball 18U, with the winner punching an automatic ticket to Sunday’s quarterfinal. 

And despite their offense dominating leading up to the game, it was the pitching in control this time around - allowing just one hit in the 1-0 victory. 

“We were swinging it well,” Sullivan said. “We faced a couple of good arms and couldn’t get it going.”

Right-handed pitcher Jesse Murrell received the start on the mound, striking out eight with a combination of a high-80’s fastball and mid-70’s curveball over his 68 pitches. 

Following Murrell’s strong five innings, Caleb Ricardo came on for relief, not allowing a hit while registering four strikeouts over 30 pitches. 

“None of this could happen without Stephen Barnes and Michael Pagacik,” Sullivan said. “Barnes with the pitchers is the best in the country and Pagacik with the energy and pulse from the dugout is the key to our team.”

Embry-Riddle commit Drew Clymer proved to be the go ahead run after a single in the bottom second, with Jace Cleveland picking up an RBI in the next at-bat. 

Now needing to survive and advance from this point on, the Sticks know their offense needs to come alive if the last dance is ending in hardware. 

“We can pitch and play defense, but we gotta string together some hits tomorrow for the playoffs.

“For sure a little bittersweet. It’s been a great group, and kind of just let them play all summer. 18U kids know how to play the game, just teach them a couple of things along the way but end with a bang hopefully.”
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