2026 18+
Jacksonville Hops 5, Indy Orioles 0
The Jacksonville Hops baseball club had one thing in mind when coming to participate in the 2026 Sunshine Classic…Domination. After going 5-0 and outscoring opponents 46-8, that’s exactly what they did.
The Hops ball club was coming off a championship in the 30th annual 2026 Caribbean Winter Baseball Classic and looking to continue their winning ways at the MSBL Sunshine Classic in Panama City Beach, where they would look to defend their title.
The Hops dominated in 2025, also going 5-0 and winning the 18+ championship under Bill Klein’s leadership. With an impressive offensive showing and a proficient pitching staff, the Hops achieved the feat of back-to-back championships in 2026!
The campaign to defend the title coincidentally picked up where they left off in 2025, facing the Indy Orioles, who were surely looking for revenge for their loss in last year’s championship game. However, the Hops had other plans. After piling up 13 hits and 12 walks along with quality pitching appearances, the Hops pulled away from the Dirty Birds and won 12-4.
Daniel Davis stepped on the bump first for the Hops against the Orioles. The starter allowed five hits and four runs (two earned) over five innings, striking out six and walking none. Chris Haynes pitched four innings of zero-run ball in relief. The left-handed pitcher gave up zero hits, striking out one and walking one.
The Hops went on to defeat their next two pool play opponents 7-1 and 7-2, going undefeated in pool play. Standout performances included Derek Pasquarella earning a win, starting game two, only surrendering six hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out five, and walking four. Nathaniel Little, who started game three, gave up four hits and two runs over four innings, striking out two and walking two in a resilient outing.
The offense was led by a host of Hops with seven total players going over .500 in an impressive offensive showing. Standouts include Jefferson Delgado, Daniel Davis, Nathaniel Little, and Quinston Newman.
In the semi-final game against the Vandals, the Hops continued their impressive showing by dismantling their opponent 15-1. They got on the board in the second inning after an error scored one run, and then added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning when Garrison tripled, scoring two runs, and an error scored one run.
The Hops scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Vandals pitcher induced Remy to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored. Then Delgado singled, scoring one run, Hellett singled, also scoring one run, while Crick singled, scoring two runs.
Willie Farrar earned the win for Jacksonville in that semi-final game. The southpaw gave up six hits and one run over seven innings, striking out nine and walking two.
All that was left was a championship rematch with the Indy Orioles to decide this year’s champion.
The Jacksonville Hops defeated Indy Orioles 5-0 on Monday, as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. Garrett Johnson and Jake Ogin each pitched for the Hops in the game. Ogin induced a flyout from Sentman to get the last out to end the game.
Johnson earned the win. The hurler surrendered two hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out seven and walking one. Ogin tossed two innings of scoreless ball in relief. The reliever gave up one hit, striking out three and walking none.
The Hops amassed 10 hits in the game. Jefferson Delgado went 3-for-3 at the plate, while Nathaniel Little, James Garrison, Devon Hellett, Daniel Davis, and Delgado each drove in one run. Ivan Prieto collected two hits in three at-bats.
The Sunshine Classic Tournament MVP goes to Angel Abreu! This was Angel’s first adult tournament, and he played a key role on defense, locking down third base and catching behind the plate in multiple games. His attitude, hard work, and talent played a key role in the Hops repeating as undefeated champions.
This gives the Jacksonville Hops their fifth trophy in one year under the leadership of Chris Haynes, Bill Klein, Danny Haynes, and Joe Hellett!