CARY, N.C. – Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, Fla.) rode hot bats and strong pitching to an opening round win over DH Conley (Greenville, N.C) at the 2022 National High School Invitational presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance on Wednesday, April 6, in Cary, North Carolina.

With the win, Stoneman Douglas (1-0) advances to the quarterfinal round on Thursday. DH Conley (0-1) drops into the consolation bracket.

Christian Rodriguez (2-for-2) and Niko Benestad (2-for-2) both paced the Stoneman Douglas offense, each picking up two hits and two RBIs. Jake Clemente delivered a three-run double to break the game open in the fourth and had a game-high three RBIs, while Christian Arroyo and Rylan Lugo chipped in two RBIs apiece.

Eduardo Fuentes entered the game in relief and earned the win for the Eagles. Fuentes tossed the final 1.1 innings of the game, allowing just one hit and coaxing a game-ending double play to secure the win.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Stoneman Douglas started its offensive display with a two-run single by Rodriguez in the top of the first. Rodriguez eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Arroyo to give the Eagles an immediate 3-0 advantage.
• After DH Conley starter Ethan Oakes held the Eagles’ bats quiet in the second, Stoneman Douglas got back to work in the third with a pair of runs to go up 5-0. The runs came on an RBI double by Benestad and a wild pitch.
• The Eagles put up eight runs in the fourth to break the game open. Arroyo started the scoring with an RBI single before Benestad and Rylan Lujo added singles of their own to give Stoneman Douglas a 9-0 lead.
• The lead grew two batters later when Clemente hit a bases-clearing triple off the wall in left field to plate a trio of runs. Clemente eventually scored on a single by Alex Rodriguez to grow the lead to 13.
• Stoneman Douglas wrapped up its scoring output with a pair of RBI singles from Maddox Raley and Roman Anthony to secure the 15-0 win.

NOTABLE INFORMATION

• Christian Arroyo got the start for Stoneman Douglas, tossing 3.2 innings of one-hit ball. The right-hander struck out four batters.
• Stoneman Douglas swiped five bases in the win. The Eagles were not caught stealing once all game, going a perfect 5-for-5.
• The Eagles drew seven walks in the game, compared to DH Conley’s one.
• Matthew Matthijs (1-for-2) and Riley Treadaway (1-for-2) led the offense for the Vikings, picking up the team’s two hits.

ON DECK

• With the win, Stoneman Douglas advances to the quarterfinals of the 2022 National High School Invitational on Thursday. The Eagles will take on Yucaipa High School (Yucaipa, Calif.), who beat Regis Jesuit High School (Aurora, Colo) on Wednesday.
• DH Conley falls into the consolation bracket with the loss. Their next opponent will be announced this evening.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Stay tuned with all of the action at the 2022 National High School Invitational by following @USABEvents on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Fans and media can use #NHSI22 in their posts.