(Jupiter, FL) Gavin Fien led the Nationals prospects with a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, and five RBIs in Thursday’s Spring Breakout matchup. Despite his efforts, the Cardinals prospects rallied late to edge the Nationals 9–8.
Eli Willits jump-started the game for the Nationals with a leadoff walk and a stolen base, setting up Fien’s first-inning RBI double that gave Washington an early 1–0 lead. Starter Davian Garcia worked around a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the inning, striking out two Cardinals to escape without damage.
Fien delivered again in the second inning, ripping his second double of the game—a bases-clearing shot with two outs—to extend the Nationals’ lead to 4–0.
Last year’s Nationals Minor League Hitter of the Year, Phillip Glasser, also impressed with three hits and two RBIs. His clutch single in the ninth inning drove in two runs to pull the Nationals within one, but the rally ultimately fell short.
Pitchers Davian Garcia, Landon Harmon, Alex Clemmey, and Miguel Sime Jr. all turned in strong showings. Sime Jr. tossed a scoreless second inning, lighting up the radar gun with 11 of his 22 pitches hitting between 100–102 mph.
Josh Randall was tagged with the loss after surrendering five runs in the sixth inning as the Cardinals completed their comeback.