By Rich Bevensee
Finn Friesz-Fraley is one of the more imposing physical specimens on the Marucci Prospects 13U roster, and perhaps the most talented as well, especially as a hitter.
Yet Marucci coach Gabe Diaz employs Friesz-Fraley at the top of the lineup instead of at the heart of the order. It makes sense once you hear what’s on Diaz’ mind.
“The reason for that is he’s a table setter,” Diaz said. “Any time he gets on, he’s at third. And No. 2, it gives him more at bats. I’m trying to get him up there as much as I can.”
That strategy led directly to Marucci Prospects claiming their second tournament title in as many weeks. Friesz-Fraley manufactured a run by himself in the bottom of the fifth inning to propel Marucci to a 3-2 victory over the Diamond Jacks Gold 13U in the 13U (D Pool) King Of The Diamond championship game on Sunday evening at Diamond Nation in Flemington.
Friesz-Fraley, who walked and was hit by a pitch in his first two plate appearances, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
In the fifth with the score tied 2-2, Friesz-Fraley led off by lining a hard shot off the glove of Diamond Jacks pitcher Cameron Dorr and reached first safely. He coerced an errant pickoff throw and raced to third. A few pitches later, he scampered home with the winning run on a wild pitch.
Finn Friesz-Fraley of Marucci Prospects was named 13-Pool D King Of The Diamond MVP.
“I was thinking get on base, help get the momentum going for the team, do whatever I can to help the team score,” Friesz-Fraley said. “I got on and I was trying to take a big lead and make him mess up the throw, which worked, and when I got to third I was thinking, score. Anything gets past the catcher, score. I knew I had the speed to score.”
In a title game where offense came at a premium – the two teams combined for five runs on seven hits – Friesz-Fraley’s role as a difference maker is exactly what Diaz was thinking by placing his best player atop the order.
“This is why he’s my MVP,” Diaz said. “He’s playing hurt with a pulled quad and he’s still going first to third 100 percent, playing center field, just always ready to go. He’s a table setter for this team, and on top of that fact he’s a special talent. He can run, he can throw and he can hit the ball out of the park. It’s impressive. He’s someone to look out for.”
The Diamond Jacks get credit for keeping it a one-run game after Friesz-Fraley’s dash around the bases. Benny Gurwitz slapped a one-out single to right and Javi Silva tried to score from second, but Diamond Jacks right fielder Miles Dawes gunned him down at home with a perfect two-bounce throw to the plate.
Marucci reliever James Furst slammed the door on the Diamond Jacks’ last hope for a comeback with a perfect fifth inning. He struck out two and received a web gem from right fielder Mason Mercado, who raced to the right field line to make a sliding snag of a dying liner off the bat of Dawes for the third out.
The Prospects, which won a USABL tournament last weekend to open their season, field players mainly from Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn.
“It feels really good to win again,” said Friesz-Fraley, an eighth grader who plans to attend St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City next fall. “I love how we’re a family, we’re very close with each other and we live near each other.”
Marucci claimed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Lean Mercedes blooped an RBI single inside the left field line, scoring Mercado.
The Diamond Jacks surged ahead 2-1 in the fourth when Max Siemers and courtesy runner Dorr (running for starting pitcher Tripp Fabiano) scored on a two-out, outfield error off the bat of Michael Milia.
The Prospects tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth when Aiden Rosario walked with the bases loaded.
For Marucci, Felix Breen pitched four innings and allowed two runs on one hit and five walks. Furst pitched two scoreless innings and permitted one hit while striking out three.
For the Diamond Jacks, Fabiano yielded two runs on three hits and five walks in the first 3⅓ innings while striking out three. Nino Sivio pitched two-thirds of an inning and gave up two walks. Dorr pitched the final 1⅓ innings and gave up one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two before the game clock expired.